Tristan Thompson, the NBA champion, made a groundbreaking announcement at the JS Disrupt 2025 event. He revealed his partnership with global telecom company World Mobile to introduce a community-owned mobile network named Uplift. This innovative network offers unlimited data plans starting at just $9.99 per month.
Uplift sets itself apart by utilizing blockchain technology and a decentralized physical infrastructure network known as DePIN. This unique approach aims to challenge the centralized model of the $2 trillion telecom industry by empowering users and local operators to share in the value they create.
Thompson’s vision for Uplift is deeply rooted in his desire to support communities that have faced similar challenges to those he has encountered. By providing affordable connectivity and unlimited data at a significantly lower cost, Uplift seeks to create a better tomorrow for underserved populations. Thompson highlighted the importance of giving back to his community and inspiring hope for a brighter future.
Beyond his success in basketball, Thompson is actively involved in various leadership roles within the web3 and fintech sectors. He serves as the chief digital equity officer at World Mobile and the chief advisory officer at AxonDAO, a platform focused on AI-powered medical research inspired by his brother’s battle with epilepsy. Additionally, Thompson is the co-founder of Basketball Fun, a web3 platform that tokenizes NBA players, and the chief content officer at Tracy AI, an AI platform for real-time sports analytics.
With Uplift, Thompson and World Mobile aim to provide affordable internet access that is community-owned. The model has been successfully piloted in Reno, Nevada, where community hosts have earned substantial income by offering coverage to underserved areas. Leveraging World Mobile’s established infrastructure in the U.S., Uplift is set to roll out in Cleveland, Ohio, before expanding to additional cities in 2026.
It’s worth noting that over 50 million Americans live at or near the poverty line, lacking access to affordable high-speed data. Uplift’s mission is to bridge this gap by expanding access to mobile services while ensuring that the economic benefits generated by mobile usage circulate within the communities that support them.
In conclusion, Uplift represents a transformative initiative spearheaded by Tristan Thompson and World Mobile, with the goal of democratizing access to mobile connectivity and fostering economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
