In a report from December 2021, the United Nations projected that around 2.9 billion people, or roughly 37 percent of the world's population, are living completely offline. Nearly two years later, that staggering figure is unlikely to have changed much due to the ever-present and evolving challenges of the telecommunications industry.
Building connectivity infrastructure is never an easy task. Despite telecom giants aiming to expand their reach and market dominance, creating sustainable frameworks to connect the unconnected is exorbitantly expensive and difficult to maintain. That becomes especially true in remote areas that lack modern, urban infrastructure such as decent road networks to easily foster mobile connection.
Without a financial incentive to justify expanding into remote, unconnected regions and territories, the world cannot rely only on centralized or state-owned telecom giants to bring more people into the digital age.
To help catalyze decentralized worldwide connectivity, World Mobile Inc. has introduced its Global eSIM for the first-of-its-kind mobile network powered by blockchain technology and the sharing economy. World Mobile's eSIM enables users to enjoy international data roaming in 45 countries at a low rate and stay connected in the U.S., even in remote locations, through its exclusive decentralized AirNode network.
"We are excited to launch our global blockchain-based eSIM, a significant advancement in mobile connectivity," said Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile. "This eSIM is not only about connectivity-it stands as a symbol of privacy and affordability, granting users connectivity in both the U.S. and worldwide by either utilizing our AirNodes or partner networks."
(Photo: World Mobile)
Available for use in 45 countries and territories at launch, users will be able to purchase or top-up their Global eSIM directly via World Mobile's mobile application. The World Mobile app facilitates an enhanced user experience while also ensuring encrypted communications to boost user security when using the eSIM. Users can check their device compatibility and activate the eSIM online within minutes.
Unlike traditional telecom providers, World Mobile operates on a sharing economy model that leverages its AirNode network that the eSIM connects to. AirNodes are a decentralized, user-owned network of radio devices that provide end-user access to the World Mobile network for calls and data. AirNodes are owned and operated by individuals and local businesses and can be deployed anywhere through World Mobile. Owners are then responsible and rewarded for maintaining them and ensuring maximum uptime for network users.
The eSIM will also function as the first blockchain-enabled digital SIM card, as future implementations will route the network traffic through the World Mobile Chain and its EarthNode validators to further solidify its connectivity infrastructure.
(Photo: World Mobile)
"By leveraging our blockchain network, users gain unparalleled transparency and security while still complying with regulations, helping redefine what the modern mobile network operator should be," added Watkins. "We are sure that our Global eSIM will shape the future of mobile connectivity, and invite everyone to join us in constructing a world that is more inclusive, interconnected, and private."
World Mobile is also the first to offer a "SIM staking" program, a unique feature that allows users to earn cashback rewards by staking tokens against their eSIM through the World Mobile app. With the program set to launch at a later date, users can stake World Mobile Tokens (WMT), the native utility token of the World Mobile network, to receive discounts on their data plans and other benefits.
