In an Unprecedented Partnership With Protelindo to Launch a Blockchain-enabled Stratospheric Internet Network, World Mobile With Thompson at the Helm Aims to Globally ‘Connect the Unconnected’
NBA champion, tech and Web3 expert Tristan Thompson is stepping off the court and into the skies—literally, as he announces his new role as telecoms trailblazer World Mobile’s first Chief Digital Equity Officer with its game-changing aerospace subsidiary World Mobile Stratospheric and mission to connect the 3 billion people who still live without internet access. Thompson is teaming up with the global decentralized wireless network to spotlight overlooked digital divides and champion a future where communities own their connectivity. In a world where connectivity means access to education, opportunity, and economic freedom, Thompson is leading a bold new approach: telecoms from the stratosphere.
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The announcement kicks off a multi-tier campaign aimed at raising awareness around hidden infrastructure gaps — not only in rural regions but also in places people least expect, like Hidden Hills in Los Angeles or pockets of inner-city Cleveland. In his new role, Thompson will work closely with World Mobile to drive visibility and real-world solutions in these areas. As part of this initiative, Thompson is introducing the Community Connectivity Fund, a multi-million-dollar effort designed to help low-income neighborhoods gain access to affordable, high-speed internet through World Mobile’s decentralized model. The fund will support pilot programs, local infrastructure installations, and education around community ownership of mobile networks.
As an additional strategic move, World Mobile has announced an unprecedented partnership with Protelindo, Indonesia’s largest digital infrastructure company, to develop and deploy a pioneering stratospheric connectivity network. Powered by hydrogen-fueled, fixed-wing aircraft, the solution will support internet access for hundreds of millions of global web users, particularly in underserved regions, through sustainable and cost-effective technology. The pioneering network leverages hydrogen-powered, fixed-wing aircraft operating as High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), capable of maintaining a stationary position at altitudes of approximately 20,000 meters. Utilizing World Mobile’s blockchain-based infrastructure, these aircraft will provide direct-to-handset internet access, supporting hundreds of thousands of concurrent users with cellular connectivity.
Central to this innovation is World Mobile’s native WMTx token, which serves as the economic backbone for the entire network. The blockchain-secured token manages on-chain settlements, permissioned network access, and economic incentives, creating a self-sustaining value loop. Users, infrastructure providers, and node operators are economically aligned, ensuring continuous expansion and sustainability of the network.
Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile, said in a statement, “This partnership embodies the potential of blockchain and decentralized economics to reshape global connectivity. By integrating token-driven incentives with advanced aerospace technology, we’re creating a resilient and economically viable model for bringing reliable internet to underserved regions at unprecedented scale.”
Indra Gunawan, senior representative at Protelindo added, “World Mobile’s blockchain-based approach to connectivity infrastructure addresses key challenges faced by geographically diverse countries like Indonesia. We see tremendous potential in leveraging this technology to bring consistent, scalable internet access to communities currently beyond traditional reach.”
The hydrogen-powered aircraft at the heart of the initiative have already undergone successful testing with major telecom companies in the UK and Middle East. Capable of delivering connectivity across vast regions, the aircraft can efficiently cover remote and rural areas typically underserved by fiber and traditional cellular networks. Hydrogen fuel also drastically reduces environmental impact, achieving a projected 99% reduction in carbon emissions compared to satellite-based solutions.
Deployment of the blockchain-enabled aircraft will initially target strategic geographic markets such as Indonesia and the United States, where challenging terrains and underserved communities stand to benefit significantly. Despite advanced telecom infrastructure in the U.S., approximately 11% of citizens lack reliable connectivity, demonstrating the pressing need for innovative solutions. World Mobile’s DePIN initiative represents a significant leap forward for blockchain-based infrastructure, merging decentralized economic incentives with real-world utility. The network not only promises expanded internet access but also introduces a sustainable, token-driven economic model that can be replicated globally.
Thompson’s role with World Mobile merges influence, personal journey, and impact. Growing up with limited access to opportunity, and now facing connectivity issues in even the most developed areas, he is focused on the mission to connect the unconnected — starting in the neighborhoods that often fall through the cracks. His appointment marks a major step in World Mobile’s efforts to educate and empower people to not only access the internet but also benefit from the infrastructure behind it. Together, World Mobile and Tristan Thompson are not only rethinking who gets connected, but who gets to own the network — creating a world where everyone has the power to build and benefit from their own digital future. With Tristan Thompson on board, World Mobile isn’t just changing telecoms—it’s changing lives. The mission is clear: everyone, everywhere deserves to be connected.
About World Mobile
World Mobile is revolutionizing global connectivity through its blockchain-based Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN), empowering individuals and communities to build, maintain, and monetize telecom infrastructure through blockchain-driven economic incentives. Learn more at https://worldmobile.io.
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