Helium Teams with AT&T to Deliver Decentralized Wi-Fi Coverage Nationwide, Podcast

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“Coverage on demand is here—and it’s being built by the community.”—Mario Di Dio, General Manager, Network Helium, Nova Labs

In a groundbreaking step toward redefining wireless connectivity, Helium Network and Nova Labs have teamed up with AT&T to deliver seamless, secure Wi-Fi access across the U.S. through a decentralized network model. In a podcast interview with Technology Reseller News, Mario Di Dio, General Manager of Network Helium at Nova Labs, walked us through this major milestone and explained how Helium is reshaping the economics and delivery of mobile data.

Unlike traditional networks built on costly infrastructure and centralized control, the Helium model allows individuals and businesses to host “mini cell towers”—hotspots that contribute to a nationwide mesh network. Now, with AT&T onboard, the Helium Network enables AT&T customers to connect automatically to these community-powered hotspots without any manual setup, thanks to Passpoint-enabled, WPA3-secure connections.

“Just walk into a participating venue like a restaurant or community center,” said Di Dio, “and your phone automatically connects to the network without passwords, boosting coverage in hard-to-reach indoor areas.”

The benefits extend to small business owners who can offer secure, guest Wi-Fi while earning Helium Network Tokens (HNT) for hosting a hotspot. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also introduces a new revenue stream. Deployment is flexible—businesses can install purpose-built Helium devices or convert existing hardware from brands like Ubiquiti, Cisco Meraki, and Aruba into Helium-compatible units.

A central element of Helium’s transparency and scalability is Helium World (world.helium.com), a live, blockchain-backed dashboard that displays real-time data on hotspot locations, user traffic, and network usage. With over 90,000 active hotspots and peaks of over 900,000 users, the platform provides both visibility for carriers and insights for potential deployers.

Another standout innovation is Helium’s real-time quality of experience (QoE) metrics. “For the first time, carriers can get live KPIs from third-party Wi-Fi connections just like they do from their own cellular networks,” said Di Dio. This allows providers like AT&T to monitor and dynamically manage the user experience, toggling between Wi-Fi and cellular as needed.

As Helium expands through partnerships with other mobile and virtual network operators, its vision for “coverage on demand” continues to gain traction. Using an innovative “expansion zone” feature, carriers can request network growth in targeted areas, and Helium’s community of deployers responds.

With this shift, Di Dio believes we’re witnessing the future of wireless—one that’s scalable, community-driven, and more responsive to real-world needs. “It’s a very interesting economic proposition for carriers, and a practical one for the people and places that make up our connected world,” he said.

Learn more: www.helium.com
Live dashboard: world.helium.com

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