Helium Partners With AT&T To Expand WiFi Access Across 93,500 Hotspots

Helium, a decentralized wireless network provider, has partnered with AT&T, a major telecommunications company in the United States, to expand WiFi access across thousands of locations nationwide. This collaboration allows AT&T's mobile customers to connect to Helium’s community-built WiFi network, which includes over 93,500 hotspots, primarily in the United States. The Helium Network is operated by individuals and businesses that acquire and operate small cell towers, acting as hotspots, and are rewarded with digital assets for their contributions to the network.

Amir Haleem, co-founder and CEO of Helium Mobile, the mobile network division of Helium, highlighted that partnering with an industry leader like AT&T will accelerate the adoption of Helium and provide real-world value to both network participants and AT&T’s customers. He also hinted at more announcements to come, suggesting that this partnership is just the beginning of further collaborations.

The integration with AT&T enables WiFi authentication via AT&T’s Passpoint WiFi roaming service, allowing customers to automatically connect to WiFi networks when available. This system integrates decentralized nodes into a traditional service network, enhancing the overall connectivity experience. Helium claims that its decentralized network already has over 800,000 daily users leveraging it for connection. The firm has also signed agreements with Telefónica’s Movistar in Mexico and is working with other unspecified mobile network operators to enhance their coverage.

This partnership follows Helium Mobile’s announcement of a free plan in February, which the company claims is the first free phone plan in the US. The collaboration with AT&T is part of a broader strategy to enhance network coverage and provide seamless connectivity to subscribers. By leveraging Helium's decentralized hotspots, AT&T can offer its customers more reliable and extensive WiFi access, particularly in areas where traditional cellular coverage may be limited.

This move is significant for both companies. For Helium, the partnership with AT&T validates its decentralized network model and provides a substantial boost to its user base and network coverage. For AT&T, the integration of Helium's hotspots enhances its network capabilities and strengthens its competitive position in the telecommunications market. The partnership also underscores the growing trend of collaboration between traditional telecommunications providers and innovative technology companies to deliver better services to consumers.

The announcement comes at a time when the demand for reliable and extensive wireless connectivity is higher than ever. With the increasing use of mobile devices and the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), consumers and businesses alike require seamless and ubiquitous connectivity. This partnership between Helium and AT&T is poised to meet this demand by providing thousands of additional WiFi hotspots across the United States, ensuring that more people have access to high-speed internet wherever they go.