The telecommunications decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) project, Helium, partnered with US telcom giant AT&T to bring WiFi to its users.

According to an April 24 announcement shared with Cointelegraph, as part of the partnership, AT&T customers can now connect to Helium’s community-built WiFi network. Helium Mobile data shows that the network includes over 93,500 hotspots, most of which are in the United States.

Helium Network nodes map. Source: Helium World

The Helium Network is run by individuals and businesses that acquire and operate small cell towers that act as hotspots. Those individuals are rewarded with digital assets for their help in developing the network and providing coverage.

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Helium Mobile (Helium’s mobile network division) co-founder and CEO Amir Haleem said that partnering with an industry leader such as AT&T will “rapidly accelerate the adoption of Helium and provide real-world value” to both network participants and the partner’s customers. He also hinted that “this is only the beginning” and that more announcements are to come.

Centralized and decentralized, now united

The integration with AT&T enables WiFi authentication via AT&T’s Passpoint WiFi roaming service that allows customers to automatically connect to WiFi networks when participating networks are available. With this system, decentralized nodes are integrated into a traditional service network.

Helium claims that its decentralized network already has over 800,000 daily users leveraging it for connection. The firm has signed agreements with Telefónica’s Movistar in Mexico and is working with other unspecified mobile network operators that leverage the network to enhance their coverage. The deal follows Helium Mobile’s announcement of a free plan in February, which the company claims is the first free phone plan in the US.

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A storied company

In January, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Helium developer Nova Labs. The lawsuit was filed just days before the previous SEC chair, Gary Gensler, stepped down, and alleged that the company sold unregistered investment products.

Earlier in April, the SEC settled with Nova Labs and dismissed the lawsuit after payment of a $200,000 civil penalty. A company representative said at the time:

“[T]he outcome establishes that selling hardware and distributing tokens for network growth does not automatically make them securities in the eyes of the SEC [and] that the SEC cannot bring these charges against Helium again.”

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