NBA champion and Web3 entrepreneur Tristan Thompson has teamed up with global telecom innovator World Mobile to launch Uplift, a groundbreaking community-owned mobile network. The initiative, unveiled at the 2025 TechCrunch Disrupt Summit, offers unlimited data starting at just $9.99 per month, aiming to bring affordable, high-speed connectivity to underserved communities nationwide.
Uplift challenges the $2 trillion telecom industry’s centralized model by putting ownership and earnings back into local hands. Users and neighborhood hosts, called AirNode operators, directly benefit from the network’s growth, earning revenue for providing coverage while every subscription funds local infrastructure expansion. With over 50 million Americans living at or near the poverty line, and millions more globally underserved by traditional networks, Uplift addresses a critical gap in affordable internet access while fostering economic empowerment.
“Uplift is about taking power back from Big Wireless and putting it in the hands of the people,” said Tristan Thompson, who joins World Mobile as Chief Digital Equity Officer. “Every plan purchased strengthens the community it comes from. That is what equitable connectivity really means.”
Powered by blockchain technology and a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN), Uplift creates a transparent circular economy for telecom. Subscribers’ fees fund local infrastructure, compensate hosts, and reinforce network resilience. The system has already proven effective in pilot regions such as Reno, Nevada, where community operators have earned over $10,000 annually by hosting nodes and providing reliable coverage. Within 12 months, Reno achieved 85% network coverage, demonstrating the scalability and social impact of this model.
Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile Group, emphasized the urgency of this approach: “For decades, connectivity has enriched corporations while leaving billions disconnected. Uplift proves there is a better way—one where access, ownership, and rewards are shared.”
The first U.S. rollout will begin in Cleveland, Ohio, engaging local entrepreneurs and small businesses as node hosts, with plans to expand to additional cities throughout 2026.
Beyond basketball, Tristan Thompson is cementing a multidimensional legacy in tech, Web3, and social impact. His leadership spans multiple ventures, including Basketball.fun, AxonDAO, and TracyAI, alongside advocacy for health equity and digital inclusion. Through Uplift, Thompson and World Mobile are redefining how connectivity can empower communities, turning everyday mobile users into stakeholders and driving a more equitable digital future.