NBA champion Tristan Thompson partners with World Mobile to launch community-owned network Uplift

NBA champion Tristan Thompson has partnered with global telecom company World Mobile to launch Uplift, a community-owned mobile network offering unlimited data plans starting at $9.99 per month. Built on blockchain technology and a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN), Uplift enables subscribers to contribute to local network expansion while “AirNode operators” — local hosts providing coverage — earn a share of the revenue. This model challenges the traditional centralized telecom industry by allowing users and operators to share in the value they create, aiming to provide affordable connectivity and economic opportunity within underserved communities. Thompson, who holds multiple leadership roles in Web3 and fintech companies, emphasized that Uplift is about helping communities like his own gain better access to affordable data and digital inclusion. The model has been piloted successfully in Reno, Nevada, where community hosts earned over $10,000 annually by providing coverage, and it played a critical role in restoring connectivity in Asheville, North Carolina, after a hurricane. Upl