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For millions of Americans, reliable internet isn’t a given – it’s a luxury that dictates access to everything from education to employment. Despite being a preeminent first-world nation, the US is no stranger to inequality, and not just in terms of physical resources – food, water, shelter – but digital ones too. This “digital divide” creates a barrier to opportunity that disproportionately affects underserved communities. After all, if you’re reading this, you’re not only on the internet but are blessed with sufficient bandwidth to load this page without the multi-second delays that would compel most users to rage-quit. But imagine if you didn’t have that luxury, and data in your home was as scarce as electricity is to individuals in other parts of the world? That’s how it is for Americans caught on the wrong side of the digital divide. Which is why NBA champion Tristan Thompson’s decision to partner with decentralized telecom network World Mobile has captured attention. Uplift is a radical new mobile network built not for profit, but for genuine community empowerment. And what’s more, it’s actually working. This is the story of web3’s unlikeliest alliance – and how it’s making a real difference in the everyday lives of Americans from coast to coast and from the far North to the deep South. Leveling Up America’s Netizens We often think of the digital divide as a problem besetting remote areas. Which it is, to a great extent. But a crisis of connectivity exists right in the heart of urban America. An estimated 50 million Americans live near the poverty line, and for these individuals, affordable high-speed data is often out of reach. This isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a cap on potential. When a reliable connection is required for homework, job applications, or telehealth appointments, a lack of access means being left behind. We appreciate fiber when using it to stream the match or watch the latest Netflix movie in 4K, but the same holds true when we’re trying to take care of serious business. Work. Health. Education. This is a reality that NBA champion Tristan Thompson understands personally. Growing up in communities where opportunity was hard-won, he witnessed how a lack of basic resources could shape a person's future. Since being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011 – he was picked fourth in the overall draft that year – Thompson has never looked back. But despite a storied career over the past 13 seasons, the NBA center hasn’t forgotten where he came from. Connectivity for the Community The Uplift network, powered by World Mobile, introduces a new answer to this long-standing problem. The premise is simple but powerful: a mobile network where every subscription directly helps expand coverage, and local community members – known as AirNode operators – can earn a share of the revenue. This isn’t some charitable initiative designed to throw a bone to disadvantaged communities and capture some feel-good PR – it’s a sustainable economic model. Instead of profits flowing to a distant corporation, value is created and captured within the neighborhood. It’s a system designed to build wealth within the community rather than to extract it. The Tech That Makes It Tick What makes this community-owned model possible is an emerging technology known as DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) that makes use of blockchain and tokenization to create circular economies. Within this framework, the revenue you earn is commensurate with the work you put in to provide a service – in this case, data delivery. While the underlying technology is complex, the outcome is simple to grasp. Using a decentralized network, World Mobile can operate a high-quality mobile network at a fraction of the cost of traditional carriers. This creates a secure and transparent system where “the people” can participate directly in running the network, ensuring that those who host the infrastructure are the ones who benefit from it. Proof in Action: From Reno to Cleveland So far, we’ve covered the theory behind Uplift. Now let’s talk practice. The model that World Mobile has developed is already working on the ground. A successful pilot in Reno, Nevada, has proven that this community-driven approach can deliver reliable, affordable connectivity. Now, the Uplift partnership is bringing this model to Thompson's hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, marking a significant next step in the network’s expansion. As World Mobile explains, “Today, Cleveland is a city left behind, with nearly 30% of residents living below the poverty line and child poverty rates among the highest in the country. A lack of reliable connectivity makes large, community-wide solutions almost impossible, cutting residents off from education, healthcare, and economic mobility.” The value of this model extends beyond merely ensuring daily data access – it also provides resilience. When a hurricane knocked out traditional networks in Asheville, North Carolina, World Mobile’s decentralized network stayed online, providing a vital communication lifeline for residents. It’s a powerful testament to the strength of a network built by and for the community it serves. More Than a Mobile Plan Ultimately, Uplift is about more than just cheaper data or a better signal. It’s about providing opportunity and a pathway to economic inclusion. This represents a fundamental shift in how we build and share in the value of critical infrastructure. While Tristan Thompson is the face of the project, adding a sprinkling of stardust in the form of a relatable local hero, World Mobile is doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. The internet has the power to bring people together. But the same technology can be isolating, separating the haves from the haven't's, and forming a two-tier society in which those blessed with constant connectivity enjoy the best opportunities in life. Uplift shows how innovation can be harnessed for genuine social good – and how influencers can be enlisted to advocate web3 technology that makes a tangible difference in the lives of locals. In the process, it’s bringing the world a little bit closer. Today it’s Cleveland. Tomorrow it could be your city or neighborhood.