Helium, a decentralized wireless network built on Solana, is entering the Brazilian market through a joint venture with local WiFi provider Mambo WiFi, the companies announced Wednesday.
The partnership represents one of Helium’s most significant international expansions to date and could pave the way for onboarding operators in a country where reliable internet access remains spotty.
As a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN), Helium’s model depends on individuals and businesses installing access points that act as small cell sites. These operators earn crypto rewards tied to network usage. Proponents say this approach allows wireless coverage to scale more quickly and at lower cost than traditional telecommunications deployments.
The Mambo network of around 40,000 WiFi access points, already used by major Brazilian telecommunications providers, will serve as the initial basis for the Helium deployment. The companies say this infrastructure could be used by operators to offload mobile data traffic to helium-connected hotspots, a strategy that could reduce congestion and operating costs.
“Together, we are tackling the Brazilian telecommunications market and inventing a new model in which user-powered networks provide affordable and reliable coverage at scale,” Mario Di Dio, general manager of network at Helium, said in the announcement.
Brazil is an important target for this deployment: more than 100 million people rely primarily on shared or public WiFi to connect, according to the press release. Helium currently has more than 120,000 hotspots across the United States and Mexico. Brazil is poised to become the network’s next major market as it continues its expansion beyond North America.
Read more: Helium Plus lets businesses join the Solana DePIN project with just Wi-Fi
