In This Article
In recent years, inequality in the digital sphere has become one of the most pressing issues. Despite smartphones and the internet becoming an integral part of modern life, millions still remain digitally isolated and lack access to the internet. The reasons for this are not only poverty but also insufficient infrastructure and little interest from operators in investing in remote or sparsely populated regions.
How the idea of a decentralized mobile network came about
Why are mobile communications still out of reach for so many people in the 21st century? The project developers decided that the traditional telecommunications model is outdated. It's based on centralized infrastructure, expensive towers, and licenses that aren't profitable to place in areas with few customers.
Using the dynamics of the sharing economy and the power of blockchain, the World Mobile team set out to create a network owned and operated by its users. World Mobile's architecture allows anyone to become a node operator, earn money by sharing connectivity, and participate in growing the ecosystem.
Technologies that change the rules of the game
Rather than conventional base stations, World Mobile employs aerostats-big balloons fitted with telecommunications gear that have the ability to offer coverage for tens of kilometers around. Not only is this solution less expensive, but it is also quicker to install, particularly in remote areas. On the ground, the balloons back up a network of local access points named AirNodes, which have the ability to be mounted in homes, stores, schools, or cafes. Each node joins a single network, and its owner receives a reward in WMT tokens for allowing other customers to use their node.
The entire ecosystem runs on its own Ethereum-compatible blockchain, World Mobile Chain. This renders transactions transparent and brings mobile communications into Web3.
For example, users are not only able to pay for internet and calls using tokens, but they can also use VPNs and participate in votes for network development. In 2024, World Mobile integrated its platform with the Base blockchain and Coinbase wallets, making it even easier for new users to join the network.
How it works in practice
A striking example is Zanzibar, where World Mobile launched a pilot project. In one of the remote villages, where there was previously no internet or mobile communication, a silver balloon is now visible in the sky. Each house has a small AirNode box to which local residents connect their smartphones. To pay for services, they use WMT tokens, which can be obtained not only with money but also by providing access to their hotspot to others.
The villagers soon appreciated the value of the new model. Teachers conduct distance learning via the internet, farmers sell their crops directly to consumers, and the shop owner earns additional revenue, as his AirNode has become the communication hub of the entire village. Network revenue is shared among all participants, rather than going into the pockets of large operators. This creates a unique economy in which everyone has a vested interest in the development of the infrastructure.
Actual usage and global growth
Following success in Africa, World Mobile is already beginning to roll out its network in India, Portugal, the UK, and other countries. In Mozambique, the project is initiating joint projects with major market players such as Vodacom and GSMA. The network is growing exponentially: tens of thousands of new users join it every day, and the number of AirNode operators around the world already counts several thousand.
Among the factors of success is ease of connection. There are no licenses or specific knowledge required to become an AirNode operator; simply purchase the equipment, set it up at home or in the office, and connect to the network. The node is manageable via a convenient mobile application displaying statistics, token balances, and other parameters.
Benefits for users and operators
World Mobile offers not only affordable connectivity but also the chance to earn money. The users can pay for services with fiat currency or cryptocurrency, and the node operators receive a steady income. Any network participant can also take part in voting and shape the development of the ecosystem, e.g., by suggesting service improvements.
For end-users, the main advantage is access to communication where they did not have it previously. This opens up the possibility of education, business, medicine, and simply communication. For AirNode operators, it is a chance to be part of a global movement, invest in the future of their region, and gain revenue from the development of digital infrastructure.
What to be aware of
Despite the success, there are several obstacles World Mobile must overcome. Among these are the need to adapt to the laws of the various countries, teach users new technologies, and competition from traditional operators. However, practice shows that the model of a decentralized mobile network is necessary where traditional solutions are inapplicable or too expensive.
World Mobile plans to expand its network, introduce new services, and bring communication even closer in the future. World Mobile is already working on integrations with other blockchain networks, developing a dApps ecosystem, and designing additional tools for node operators.
How World Mobile is useful to people
The World Mobile impact goes far beyond innovation and the creation of new business models. A foremost concern is the social progress that arises from affordable and decentralized communications. For a great many regions where populations were cut off from modern communications, prospects for education, health, entrepreneurship, and even participation in public life are now opening up.
Children in rural communities can now study online and gain knowledge and skills their parents were not able to. Doctors can conduct remote consultations, and farmers can sell their produce directly, eliminating middlemen. New jobs are also being created in the maintenance and expansion of the network and the deployment of digital services based on World Mobile.
Above all, decentralization gives birth to new communities, where people themselves decide how to build the infrastructure and what services they need. This not only increases trust but also stimulates local initiatives, making everyone feel part of the global digital world. World Mobile is becoming more than a tech project; it is a tool of real social change, opening up new opportunities for millions across the globe.
Conclusion
World Mobile is more than a mobile operator but a global community where communication becomes people-to-people communication. Thanks to blockchain, cryptocurrency, and the sharing economy, millions of people are getting the chance to enter the digital world, and anyone who wants can become an operator and stakeholder of this new economy. The project is showing that mobile communications in the future can be low-cost, fair, and profitable to all.
