Helium Partners with American Telecom Giant AT&T to Provide Wi-Fi Network Across Thousands of Locations Nationwide

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) Project Helium Announces Partnership with AT&T

Decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) project Helium has announced a partnership with American telecommunications giant AT&T to provide its community-built Wi-Fi network to AT&T customers across the United States.

Helium is a decentralized network that incentivizes individuals and businesses to set up “mini base stations” (known as hotspots) to provide wireless coverage for nearby connected devices through token rewards. The project is positioned as a “cost-effective alternative to traditional wireless infrastructure,” with over 93,000 hotspots already in North America, according to Helium hotspot data.

Mario Di Dio, General Manager of Helium Network, stated in an interview with The Block that, through the latest integration, AT&T customer devices will “automatically connect” to the Helium network when in proximity to a hotspot. The company has reported providing Wi-Fi connectivity at thousands of locations across the United States.

Di Dio pointed out that this is a “commercial agreement” between AT&T and Helium’s developer NOVA Labs, and that AT&T will not be making direct payments to Helium hotspot operators. These hotspot operators will continue to earn the network’s native token HNT through Helium’s “usage-based reward system.”

Helium has been viewed as (or may still be considered) one of the most promising applications of blockchain in the real world; however, some hotspot operators have expressed disappointment with the project due to lower-than-expected profits after investing in dedicated hardware. Helium’s reputation has also suffered due to reporting by The Verge that it exaggerated its partnerships with Lime and Salesforce.

In 2023, Helium Mobile, a telecommunications service project supported by the Solana blockchain, launched a nationwide plan in the United States, offering users unlimited internet, SMS, and calling services.