Helium, a decentralized wireless network operating on the Solana blockchain, has announced a strategic partnership with Brazilian WiFi provider Mambo WiFi to launch its services in Brazil. This collaboration marks a significant step in Helium's global expansion, leveraging Mambo's extensive existing infrastructure to introduce a decentralized connectivity model to a major market.
The partnership will utilize Mambo's network of approximately 40,000 WiFi hotspots, which are already integrated with major Brazilian telecom operators. This existing infrastructure provides an immediate foundation for Helium's decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) model. In this system, individuals and businesses can operate hotspots to provide coverage, earning cryptocurrency rewards based on network usage. This approach aims to expand wireless access more rapidly and cost-effectively than traditional telecom deployments.
Brazil represents a critical market for this expansion, with over 100 million people reportedly relying on shared or public WiFi for primary internet access. The integration could allow telecom carriers to offload mobile data traffic onto the Helium network, potentially reducing network congestion and operational costs. Helium currently operates more than 120,000 hotspots across the United States and Mexico, positioning Brazil as its next major international hub.
