NBA champion Tristan Thompson has partnered with World Mobile to launch Uplift, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) designed to challenge the $2 trillion telecommunications industry. By leveraging blockchain technology, the initiative aims to provide affordable, high-speed internet access to underserved communities across the United States.
Community-Owned Connectivity
Uplift shifts the traditional telecom model by prioritizing community ownership. Every subscription fee directly supports network expansion at the neighborhood level. Local participants, designated as “AirNode operators,” provide the necessary coverage and receive a portion of the network’s revenue in return.
“I want to help people who have walked the same path I have,” Thompson stated during the project’s announcement. “We are providing unlimited data at a significantly lower cost. This is about giving inner-city communities a better tomorrow and providing real hope through connectivity.”
Proven Technology and Crisis Response
The infrastructure behind Uplift is not purely theoretical. World Mobile has already successfully piloted the model in Reno, Nevada, where local operators have generated over $10,000 in annual revenue by providing essential coverage. The system has also demonstrated its resilience during emergency scenarios.
Thompson highlighted the network’s capability during recent natural disasters: “When the hurricane hit Asheville, North Carolina, we were able to deploy and restore connectivity when other providers could not. We literally flew our team in via helicopter to bring the region back online.”
Thompson’s Pivot to Tech Leadership
Beyond his basketball accolades, Thompson has established himself as a prominent figure in the web3 and fintech sectors. He currently serves as the Chief Digital Equity Officer at World Mobile and holds a leadership position at AxonDAO, an AI-driven medical research platform. His portfolio also includes co-founding Basketball Fun, a web3 platform for player tokenization, and serving as Chief Content Officer at Tracy AI.
Expansion Plans and Digital Equity
The rollout of the Uplift network is scheduled to begin in Cleveland, Ohio, with a broader expansion into additional U.S. cities planned for 2026. This initiative addresses a critical gap in digital equity, as more than 50 million Americans currently live at or near the poverty line with limited access to affordable, reliable high-speed data.
By ensuring that the wealth generated by mobile usage remains within the neighborhoods that create it, Uplift seeks to move away from centralized corporate models, fostering economic growth and digital inclusion in the areas that need it most.