Helium (HNT) Heats Up: 21% Jump After Telefónica Deal Ignites Growth

Christian Encila

Last Updated: January 25, 2024 3:00 pm

3 mins read

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In a landmark move, Telefonica, the world’s 27th largest telecom, has partnered with Nova Labs to roll out Helium mobile hotspots in Mexico. This initiative aims to address the persistent issue of limited internet access in underserved communities, leveraging a unique blockchain-powered network.

Helium’s Mexico Expansion Sparks Crypto Surge

The collaboration will see thousands of Helium hotspots deployed across Mexico City and Oaxaca, powered by Nova Labs’ blockchain technology. This technology incentivizes individuals to host hotspots by rewarding them with Helium’s cryptocurrency, HNT, for contributing to coverage. This “proof-of-coverage” concept aims to build a decentralized network with potentially lower infrastructure costs compared to traditional methods.

The news sent ripples through the cryptocurrency market, propelling HNT’s price up over 20%. This follows a similar surge in December when Helium partnered with T-Mobile for nationwide mobile service in the US.

HNT price soars in the last 24 hours. Source: Coingecko

“This program in Mexico is crucial for evaluating the performance and customer satisfaction of this solution,” said José Juan Haro, Telefonica’s Chief Wholesale and Public Affairs Officer. He sees it as a key step towards bridging the digital divide and unlocking new possibilities for individuals and businesses in remote areas.

Helium currently trading at $7.03175457 on the daily chart: TradingView.com

The collaboration isn’t without its challenges. Scaling up the network and convincing users to switch to Helium connections will require careful planning and clear value propositions. Additionally, decentralized networks can face issues with coverage consistency and data speeds compared to centralized infrastructure.

“We are delighted to partner with Telefonica to integrate our Helium Mobile Hotspot technology and expand coverage for their customers. Alongside Telefónica, Nova Labs has solved one of the biggest challenges for telecoms and pioneered a solution that supports secure data offload that can be implemented around the world,” Amir Haleem, CEO of Nova Labs, said.

Telefonica Boosts Helium Initiative Credibility

Telefonica’s involvement adds significant weight to this initiative. Its market reach and brand recognition can bolster Helium’s credibility and drive adoption. The partnership is built on an open standard developed by the Telecom Infra Project, allowing select Movistar customers to seamlessly access the Helium network using their existing SIM cards.

While the long-term success of this venture remains to be seen, it represents a bold step towards a future where blockchain technology fuels innovative solutions for bridging the digital divide. Its success could pave the way for similar initiatives in other developing regions, offering an alternative model for network deployment and democratizing access to the internet for all.

This story is still unfolding, and its potential impact on both the telecommunications landscape and the wider blockchain ecosystem remains to be fully realized.

Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView

Christian Encila

They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that's not just a metaphor, it's a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.

Christian's journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later).

Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling - right up his alley!

So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he's one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill).

Think Christian's all work and no play? Not a chance! When he's not at his computer, you'll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair.

Speaking of chill, Christian's got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better.

Here's the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day - and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies.

Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors - and bosses - he deeply respects.

So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one.

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