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Karrier One Inc., a leader in Web3-powered telecom solutions, has announced a significant partnership with AT&T Mobility LLC aimed at enhancing both domestic and international Wi-Fi offload capabilities. This collaboration is set to accelerate the adoption of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) for next-generation wireless connectivity. By leveraging the Sui blockchain, this initiative will expand global Wi-Fi offload coverage, allowing users to enjoy seamless and secure connectivity in premium locations around the world. Under the terms of the agreement, Karrier One will enable AT&T Mobility and its subscribers to access an expanded network of Wi-Fi offload locations utilizing Hotspot 2.0/Passpoint technology. This advancement is expected to reduce costs and improve network performance, ensuring that subscribers remain connected in areas where traditional cellular infrastructure may fall short. The initiative aligns with AT&T's ongoing commitment to enhancing network coverage and embracing innovative Web3-driven telecom solutions. Samer Bishay, CEO and Co-Founder of Karrier One, emphasized the importance of alternative infrastructure models in the evolving telecom landscape. He stated that this partnership not only enhances connectivity but also shapes the future of decentralized telecom infrastructure, making networks more resilient and accessible. By combining licensed spectrum, Wi-Fi offload, and blockchain innovation, Karrier One and AT&T aim to revolutionize telecom infrastructure, ultimately improving user experiences and reducing operational costs for subscribers worldwide.

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) are rapidly emerging as a pivotal narrative in the cryptocurrency landscape. These networks encompass a variety of applications, including decentralized cloud storage, wireless networks, and peer-to-peer energy grids. The potential of DePINs extends beyond mere technological innovation; they promise to reshape daily life by enhancing the sharing economy, improving supply chain management, and fostering sustainable energy solutions. Despite their significance, awareness of DePINs remains limited within the crypto community, making it essential to highlight their transformative capabilities as we enter a new bull market. At its core, DePIN refers to a decentralized approach to building and managing physical infrastructure, akin to Amazon Web Services (AWS) but without centralized control. By leveraging crowdsourced resources, DePIN projects can significantly reduce the costs associated with establishing extensive physical infrastructure. For instance, decentralized cloud storage solutions like Filecoin and Storj allow users to contribute their unused storage space in exchange for rewards, while projects like Helium incentivize individuals to share their internet bandwidth. This innovative model not only democratizes access to essential services but also fosters a more resilient and localized infrastructure. Despite the promise of DePIN technology, several challenges must be addressed to ensure its successful implementation. Key hurdles include ensuring robust cybersecurity measures, achieving scalability, and navigating regulatory landscapes. However, exciting developments are on the horizon, such as advancements in security protocols and integration with the Internet of Things (IoT). As DePINs continue to evolve, they hold the potential to revolutionize how we interact with our physical environment, paving the way for a more efficient and user-centric infrastructure in the future.

XNET, a project based on the Solana blockchain, has recently announced a strategic partnership with AT&T, a major player in the US telecommunications industry. This collaboration aims to enhance the efficiency of mobile data traffic management by allowing AT&T to offload some of its mobile data onto XNET's decentralized network of Wi-Fi hotspots. XNET incentivizes businesses and public spaces to deploy these hotspots by rewarding them with XNET tokens, effectively creating a distributed wireless network that alleviates congestion and improves overall coverage. As part of this agreement, which has been operational since September 2024, AT&T customers can seamlessly connect to XNET's Wi-Fi network, with AT&T compensating XNET for the data usage in dollars, which is then distributed to XNET's node operators in the form of tokens. Currently, XNET boasts 688 active nodes and has facilitated connections for approximately 9 million users through its network. The co-founder of XNET, Richard DeVaul, emphasized the importance of their token in financing the network's infrastructure, stating that traditional equity or debt financing would have posed significant challenges. He described XNET as a prime example of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), showcasing how the project has successfully utilized its token to bootstrap operations and equipment financing. This innovative approach positions XNET as a unique player in the decentralized network space, distinguishing itself from competitors like Helium Mobile, which focuses on individual hotspot installations. While both XNET and Helium Mobile operate in the decentralized network sector, XNET's business model is strictly B2B, targeting high-value locations for hotspot deployment. DeVaul noted that they view Helium as a potential customer rather than a competitor, indicating a collaborative spirit within the industry. As the demand for decentralized networks continues to grow, partnerships like that of XNET and AT&T may pave the way for more efficient and widespread internet access, ultimately benefiting users and businesses alike.

Hivemapper Network has introduced an innovative approach to verification through its Map Improvement Proposal 20 (MIP-20), which emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the network. Instead of relying solely on human or hardware validation, the system is designed to combat fraudulent contributions, including AI-generated imagery and replay attacks. This proactive stance ensures that the network remains resilient against various forms of manipulation, thereby fostering a more reliable data environment. At the core of Hivemapper's strategy is a vision-based consensus mechanism that operates at the hex level. This mechanism cross-references observations from multiple Bee devices, validating data based on the agreement of independent devices. For instance, if several devices report similar objects, such as traffic signs or toll prices, within the same timeframe and location, those observations are deemed valid. This method significantly reduces the likelihood of a single bad actor successfully injecting fake imagery into the network, as the consensus requires corroboration from diverse sources. To further enhance the verification process, Hivemapper incorporates device diversity weighting. Contributions from devices with distinct hardware IDs and non-overlapping routes are given greater importance in the consensus process. This ensures that only authentic data from independently captured observations contributes to the network. Additionally, new Bee devices start with low trust and must build credibility through successful visual challenges, promoting a healthy ecosystem where good actors are incentivized to deploy more devices in low-traffic areas, thus improving overall network coverage and data freshness.

Roam, a leader in the DePIN track, has announced its participation as a primary sponsor at the 2025 Hong Kong Web3 Carnival, scheduled for April 6-9. In collaboration with the event organizers, Roam will provide attendees with complimentary eSIM data and WiFi network support, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the venue. This initiative aims to enhance the overall experience for participants, allowing them to stay connected without interruptions during the event. As part of its sponsorship, Roam will offer successful ticket purchasers 1GB of free eSIM data, which can be activated through the Roam App after following the instructions in their confirmation email. First-time users will also receive an additional 50MB of data. The Roam eSIM, which operates in over 180 countries, allows users to switch to local data automatically, thus avoiding high roaming fees. Roam's competitive pricing promises to reduce communication costs by 30% to 80%, making it an attractive option for travelers and business professionals alike. Users can also connect to over 4.5 million OpenRoaming WiFi hotspots globally, ensuring stable network access. In addition to the eSIM offerings, Roam is engaging users through various activities, including the "Daily 2000 Steps Challenge" and exchange top-up promotions. Participants can earn rewards such as Roam eSIM data, USDT, and NFTs. Furthermore, Roam is conducting a limited-time reverse burn activity for ROAM token holders, enhancing profit potential for users. With over 3 million WiFi nodes and a growing user base, Roam is positioning itself as a significant player in the decentralized wireless network space, showcasing its commitment to user engagement and innovative solutions in the Web3 landscape.

A recent report titled "The DePIN Token Economics Report" by Tom Trowbridge has shed light on the growing interest of traditional equity investors in Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). The report highlights how DePIN is revolutionizing real-world services such as Wi-Fi, energy, and computing. With over 1,000 projects and 3 million providers, DePIN has shown significant revenue traction, with hardware costs plummeting by 95% in recent years. Notably, Helium reported $350,000 in revenue for Q4 2024, while Geodnet achieved an annualized revenue of $3 million, showcasing the financial viability of these decentralized networks. Traditional equity investors, who have historically been skeptical of token projects, are now recognizing DePIN as a promising investment avenue. The report indicates that this investor demographic is significantly larger than that of alt-coin investors, primarily due to DePIN's tangible services and impressive revenue metrics. The buy-and-burn mechanisms employed by various DePIN projects, such as Geodnet and Hivemapper, further enhance the appeal by linking revenue directly to token value. This financial model provides a clearer benchmark for investors, as evidenced by Geodnet's $500,000 revenue in Q4 2024, which supports price growth in its tokens. Moreover, Trowbridge emphasizes the importance of simplicity in DePIN's token economics, suggesting that models should be straightforward to avoid confusion among investors. The report also highlights the necessity for transparency in the sector, especially in light of Helium's recent SEC charge for misleading investors. As DePIN continues to shift the narrative of cryptocurrency from speculation to utility, Trowbridge asserts that projects offering real-world services are scaling more rapidly and providing superior services at lower prices compared to their centralized counterparts. This shift could redefine the landscape of crypto investments, making DePIN a focal point for future growth in the industry.