Update on Helium’s Partnership with AT&T
In a significant development within the decentralized telecommunications space, Helium, a project focusing on decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), has formed a partnership with AT&T, a major player in the telecommunications industry. This collaboration aims to enhance WiFi accessibility for users of both networks, as announced on April 24.
Expanding WiFi Access for Users
Under this agreement, AT&T customers can now access Helium’s community-driven WiFi network, which boasts over 93,500 hotspots, predominantly located across the United States. This network operates through a system where individuals and businesses manage small cell towers that function as hotspots. Participants in this infrastructure are rewarded with digital assets for their contributions to the network and the provision of coverage.
CEO Comments on Future Prospects
Amir Haleem, co-founder and CEO of Helium Mobile, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that collaborating with a prominent company like AT&T will significantly boost the adoption of Helium while delivering tangible benefits to both network users and AT&T’s clientele. He indicated that this partnership is just the beginning, suggesting that further announcements are forthcoming.
Details on Revenue Sharing
Mario Di Dio, general manager of the Helium network, provided insights into the financial aspects of the partnership, noting that while specifics regarding revenue-sharing percentages remain undisclosed, existing Hotspot operators will profit from the increased user base brought in by AT&T subscribers. As these new users connect to nearby Hotspots, the resulting traffic will lead to higher rewards for Hotspot owners based on the data they facilitate.
Integration of Services
The alliance with AT&T enables seamless WiFi authentication through AT&T’s Passpoint WiFi roaming service, which allows customers to connect automatically to available WiFi networks. This integration marks a blend of decentralized and traditional service frameworks. Di Dio elaborated that this passpoint-based offload represents a standard practice within the telecommunications industry. Subscribers connecting to the Helium Network through this system have their authentication handled by AT&T without disclosing personal information to either Helium or the hotspot providers.
Growing User Base and Collaborations
Helium reports that its decentralized network currently supports over 800,000 daily users. The company has also entered agreements with Telefónica’s Movistar in Mexico and is in discussions with other mobile network operators to further extend its coverage capabilities. This partnership follows Helium Mobile’s earlier announcement in February about launching a free phone plan, which it claims is a pioneering offering in the U.S. market.
Legal Challenges and Resolutions
In a notable legal development, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) initiated a lawsuit against Helium’s developer, Nova Labs, in January, just before the departure of the former SEC chair, Gary Gensler. The lawsuit accused the company of selling unregistered investment products. However, the SEC recently settled with Nova Labs, resulting in the dismissal of the lawsuit following a $200,000 civil penalty. A representative from the company commented that this outcome signifies that selling hardware and distributing tokens for network expansion does not inherently classify them as securities under SEC regulations, preventing any future charges against Helium on these grounds.
