Hedera Hashgraph, a distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform, announced that it will offer open access to its mainnet beta starting Sept. 16.

According to Hedera Hashgraph’s official blog post published on Aug. 29, the open access beta test will be a period of free public access, during which developers will be able to build decentralized applications, also known as DApps, on the platform.

Open access beta features

Hedera’s network will reportedly offer three services during the beta testing period: cryptocurrency, smart contracts and file services. It is noted that crypto transactions will be capped at 10,000 per second while file services will be limited to 10 operations per second. The announcement also notes that Hedera intends to increase the network’s speed over the coming months.

Coin distribution

When the open beta test ends, the platform will begin to distribute its HBAR tokens over the next 15 years, according to the announcement. Hedera is currently a permissioned network, but the company plans to transition to a permissionless one via token staking over an extended period of time.

Governing council members

As previously reported by Cointelegraph, major tech firm IBM and telecom company Tata Communications joined Hedera’s governing council earlier in August. Hedera Hashgraph CEO Mance Harmon added:

“Our governance model, which includes a robust system of checks and balances, ensures power can’t be consolidated, while at the same time providing a stable and scalable platform on which developers can build.”

Hedera co-founder Leemon Baird also explained that the council members are genuine owners of the company and not just advisors. Baird remarked: