What are the Possibilities of Helium MOBILE growing worldwide?
The Rise of Decentralized Mobile Networks: Exploring CBRS, LSA and WAPs as way to build a world-wide mobile and data service offering
What will it take for Helium Mobile to expand outside the U.S.?
In an ever-connected world, where communication is paramount, the landscape of mobile phone service providers is undergoing a transformative shift. Picture a future where individuals, rather than corporations, take charge of communication infrastructure, offering a decentralized, cost-effective alternative to mainstream mobile network providers. This vision is not as distant as it may seem, thanks to the possibilities of offerings that utilize the likes of Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS), Licensed Shared Access (LSA), and WiFi Access Points (WAPs). With the relatively slow rise in open or shared access spectrums along with a hybrid approach — decentralized networks have become possible. These available technologies aren’t the things that are driving decentralized adoption within the wireless communications space, but the thing that is enable it.
The massive growth of wireless services (everyone owning a “smart phone”), amount of consumption of video streaming content and the rapidly emerging Internet of Things (IoT) movement is causing over-saturation and poor connectivity from major tier-one mobile operators. In an effort to solve the poor connectivity problem, we are seeing a mix of offerings presented to the consumer. Everything from Elon’s Starlink to Bezos’ incoming competitor satellite Project Kuiper down to CBRS and LSA small cell high density, overlapping deployments. These technologies combined with many micro capacity WAPs in hard to reach locations are rapidly expanding coverage vs the old standard of high energy consuming, high radiating macrocell tower deployments. Hybrid offerings are key to increasing capacity, improving coverage in a timely and energy efficiency manner.
Breaking Down the Components
Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) — Launched in 2015, USA
CBRS, once confined to short-range communications among individuals and small businesses, is emerging as a linchpin in the establishment of decentralized mobile networks. Its unique ability to cover larger distances compared to traditional WiFi networks makes CBRS an ideal backbone for a people-powered communication system.
Licensed Shared Access (LSA) — Launched in 2019, Europe
LSA introduces a groundbreaking approach to shared spectrum, where the spectrum is not exclusively licensed to a single entity but is instead shared among multiple users. This revolutionary concept drastically reduces the barriers to entry for individuals who want to contribute to the network, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic mobile landscape.
WiFi Access Points (WAPs) — Worldwide
WiFi, a ubiquitous technology in our homes and public spaces, plays a vital role in extending the reach of decentralized mobile networks. By integrating WiFi Access Points into the infrastructure, individuals can leverage existing networks to enhance coverage and provide seamless connectivity, particularly in areas where shared access spectrum like CBRS or LSA may not be readily available (Think in combination to CBRS and LSA in the USA and Europe but also to be used exclusively as an offload technology for Tier 1 operators looking for deeper coverage outside the U.S. and Europe).
The Power of Decentralization
Lower Deployment Costs
Traditional mobile network infrastructure demands significant investments in towers, antennas, and complex licensing processes. In a decentralized model, individuals can set up CBRS-enabled devices, LSA-supported nodes, and WiFi Access Points in their businesses and community spaces, owning (a part of) the network they build. This grassroots approach significantly slashes deployment costs, making it feasible for communities to establish and expand their mobile networks.
Affordable Subscriptions
Decentralized mobile networks disrupt the conventional pricing models employed by major carriers. Without the burden of massive infrastructure costs, advertising and legal spends, subscription fees can be drastically reduced (10x to nearly 100x). Individuals contributing to the network can earn incentives (in the form of tokens), further driving down costs for end-users. This model encourages community participation and ensures that mobile connectivity becomes an affordable and accessible utility for everyone.
Resilience and Redundancy
Centralized networks are vulnerable to disruptions caused by natural disasters or cyberattacks. A decentralized approach, with its distributed hybrid architecture, provides inherent resilience and redundancy. If one node goes down, others overlapping in the network can seamlessly take over, ensuring continuous connectivity even in challenging circumstances.
Addressing Coverage Gaps
While CBRS and LSA provide shared access spectrum for the rise of decentralized networks, WiFi Access Points fill crucial coverage gaps. In areas where licensed spectrum is not available or limited, WiFi networks step in, utilizing unlicensed spectrum bands. This allows for expanded coverage in urban and rural settings, ensuring that most locations can benefit from a decentralized mobile network.
Challenges and Considerations
While the idea of a worldwide decentralized mobile phone service provider is compelling, there are challenges to address. Regulatory hurdles, standardization issues, the ability to hand-off your call from one technology or spectrum to another, and the need for coordination among a community of unconnected deployers are key considerations. However, these challenges are not insurmountable, and the potential benefits far outweigh the obstacles. Progress is surely happening daily.
The Future of Connectivity
The convergence of CBRS, LSA, and WiFi Access Points offers a glimpse into a future where individuals play a pivotal role in shaping the mobile communication landscape. As we move towards a decentralized model, the Helium Network seems to be the clear leader putting the power of connectivity in the hands of the people; fostering inclusivity, affordability, and resilience. The era of a community-driven global mobile network is on the horizon, promising a more connected, empowered, and accessible world for all.
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