NBA champion Tristan Thompson has announced a partnership with global telecom company World Mobile to launch Uplift, a community-owned mobile network, at TechCrunch Disrupt. The network will offer unlimited data plans starting at $9.99 per month.

Uplift is built on blockchain technology and a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN), providing a unique approach to mobile networking.

The Uplift network is designed to contribute to neighborhood-level network expansion with every subscription, while local hosts, known as “AirNode operators,” will earn a portion of network revenue by providing community coverage. This approach aims to challenge the traditional centralized model of the $2 trillion telecom industry by allowing users and local operators to share in the value they create.

Thompson emphasized the importance of providing affordable connectivity to underserved communities, stating, “For me, it’s about helping people who have walked the same life that I walked, and I think what we’re doing is providing connectivity and connection for unlimited data at a much lower cost.” He added, “It’s about giving people hope and helping my community have a better tomorrow.”

As an outspoken advocate for innovation and inclusion, Thompson holds four C-suite roles across the Web3 and fintech landscape. He is the chief digital equity officer at World Mobile and the chief advisory officer at AxonDAO, an AI-powered medical research platform inspired by his brother’s epilepsy journey.

Thompson is also the co-founder of Basketball Fun, a Web3 platform that tokenizes NBA players, and the chief content officer at Tracy AI, an AI platform for real-time sports analytics.

Through Uplift, Thompson and World Mobile aim to drive affordable community-owned internet access, with a focus on expanding connectivity to underserved areas.

World Mobile has successfully piloted this model in Reno, Nevada, where community hosts have earned over $10,000 annually by providing coverage to underserved areas. The Uplift network operates on proven infrastructure from World Mobile’s U.S. deployments.

Thompson highlighted the impact of Uplift, stating, “We brought about 20% of Reno back to connectivity.” He also mentioned that during a hurricane in North Carolina, World Mobile was able to provide connectivity to affected areas when other providers were unable to do so.

The Uplift service will initially launch in Cleveland, Ohio, and will expand to additional cities in 2026.

With over 50 million Americans living at or near the poverty line and lacking access to affordable high-speed data, Uplift aims to bridge this gap while ensuring that the wealth generated by mobile usage stays within the neighborhoods that create it.