Built on blockchain, Uplift offers affordable unlimited data while empowering local communities to earn revenue and expand internet access.
NBA Star Brings Telecom Innovation to Underserved Communities
Tristan Thompson, NBA champion and Cleveland Cavaliers standout, is stepping into a new arena: decentralized connectivity. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Thompson announced the launch of Uplift, a community-owned mobile network built in partnership with World Mobile.
Uplift offers unlimited data plans starting at $9.99/month, challenging the traditional $2 trillion telecom model by putting ownership and economic benefit directly into the hands of local communities.
“This is about helping people who’ve walked the same life I’ve walked,” said Thompson. “We’re not just providing affordable data — we’re giving people hope.”
How Uplift Works: A Blockchain-Powered Network for the People
At the core of Uplift is blockchain technology and a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN). Here’s how it functions:
- Users subscribe to the network and gain access to affordable unlimited data.
- Local hosts, called AirNode operators, install hardware and provide coverage in their neighborhoods.
- In return, these operators earn a share of the network revenue, creating a new income stream and driving localized infrastructure growth.
Every subscription helps fund network expansion in underserved areas, making the system self-reinforcing and scalable.
Tested and Proven in Real-World Emergencies
World Mobile has already piloted the model in Reno, Nevada, where AirNode hosts reportedly earn over $10,000 annually by providing coverage. And during a recent hurricane in Asheville, North Carolina:
“Starlink couldn’t get there — we did,” Thompson said. “Our guys flew in by helicopter and restored connectivity to that area.”
These real-world deployments show that Uplift isn’t just a concept — it works, even under extreme conditions.
Launching in Cleveland, Expanding in 2026
The first city to receive Uplift coverage will be Cleveland, Ohio — Thompson’s former NBA home — with more cities planned in 2026.
World Mobile estimates that over 50 million Americans live at or near the poverty line, many without affordable, high-speed data. Uplift intends to close this gap by:
- Offering low-cost unlimited internet
- Keeping wealth within the communities that build the network
- Creating digital equity at the neighborhood level
Tristan Thompson’s Tech-Focused Mission
While Thompson is widely known for his NBA career, he’s becoming equally prominent in Web3 and fintech innovation. His current roles include:
- Chief Digital Equity Officer at World Mobile
- Chief Advisory Officer at AxonDAO (AI-driven medical research platform)
- Co-founder of Basketball Fun (Web3 platform for tokenized NBA engagement)
- Chief Content Officer at Tracy AI (sports analytics using real-time AI)
His motivation is deeply personal: Inspired by family experiences and a desire to support underserved communities, Thompson has become a leading voice for equity in emerging tech.
“We’re building something that connects, uplifts, and rewards the very people who need it most,” said Thompson. “That’s the mission.”
