Helium, a distributed wireless network built on Solana, will enter the Brazilian market through a joint venture with local WiFi provider Mambo WiFi, the companies announced Wednesday.
The partnership represents one of Helium’s most significant international expansions to date and could set the stage for carrier consolidation in countries where reliable internet access remains uneven.
Helium’s model as a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) relies on individuals and businesses setting up hotspots that act as small cell sites. These operators earn crypto rewards based on network usage. Proponents argue that this approach can expand wireless coverage more quickly and cheaply than building traditional networks.
Mambo’s network of approximately 40,000 WiFi hotspots is already used by Brazil’s leading telecommunications providers and will serve as the first hub for the Helium deployment. The companies say this infrastructure could be used by carriers to offload mobile data traffic to helium-connected hotspots, a strategy that could reduce congestion and lower operating costs.
“Together, we are tackling the Brazilian communications market and pioneering a new model for human-powered networks to deliver affordable, reliable coverage at scale,” Mario Di Dio, general manager of networks at Helium, said in the announcement.
Brazil is a big target of this rollout, with more than 100 million people accessing online primarily through shared or public Wi-Fi, according to a press release. Helium currently has more than 120,000 hotspots in the United States and Mexico. Brazil will be the network’s next major market as it continues to expand beyond North America.
Read more: Helium Plus allows businesses to participate in the Solana DePIN project with just Wi-Fi
