World Mobile, a telecommunications company at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology, has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative in Mozambique, employing a tethered aerostat – a lightweight balloon – to deliver internet and mobile services to underserved regions. This ambitious pilot project is a collaborative effort with Vodacom Mozambique, which is contributing spectrum and resources to enhance connectivity.
The Chief Executive Officer of World Mobile, Micky Watkins, expressed enthusiasm about the venture’s potential impact on Mozambique, emphasizing the pivotal role of rural connectivity in fostering economic and social development. Watkins remarked, “Our aerostats could be the key to unlocking internet access for billions. This technology is not just cost-effective compared to legacy telecom infrastructure but also quick to deploy, making it ideal for remote regions.”
Commencing in November 2023, the project marked a significant milestone on December 19, 2023, with its first successful call using the aerostat technology. Positioned at an altitude of 300 meters (984 feet), the aerostat houses telecom equipment with the impressive capacity to connect up to 100,000 users, as officially announced.
Innovatively described as the world’s first commercial aerostat, the World Mobile aerostat, sourced from a third party, operates without external power and provides connectivity at a speed comparable to high-speed fiber optics connections.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT: We are excited to announce our collaboration with @Vodacom, using aerostat technology to help connect the unconnected in Mozambique!
🧵 Learn more below#WorldMobile #Vodacom #Mozambique pic.twitter.com/QanIJUzGib
— World Mobile (@WorldMobileTeam) December 20, 2023
The article notes that in prior field tests conducted in Kenya, Mozambique, and Nigeria, World Mobile harnessed unused television spectrum and integrated Starlink technology. Furthermore, the company collaborated with IOHK, the Founder of the Cardano blockchain, to implement mesh networks in Tanzania.
World Mobile adopts an economic model where operators of its AirNodes technical equipment receive rewards in fiat currency. Operating on a decentralized physical infrastructure network built on the Cardano blockchain, participants such as node operators, stakers, and users engaging in staking for discounted services earn World Mobile Tokens (WMT).
In a strategic move to expand accessibility, World Mobile unveiled its app on Google Play in August 2023. This move enables users in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Tanzania, and Zanzibar to leverage the services provided by World Mobile.
This innovative use of aerostat technology, combined with blockchain integration, showcases World Mobile’s commitment to addressing connectivity challenges in remote regions, offering not only a technologically advanced solution but also a sustainable economic model for all stakeholders involved. As World Mobile continues to pioneer such initiatives, the potential for transforming connectivity landscapes on a global scale becomes increasingly evident.
