Helium, a leader in decentralized wireless communications, has launched a landmark joint venture with premier Brazilian WiFi provider Mambo WiFi aimed at bringing people-powered connectivity to millions of mobile users across the country.
The partnership marks one of Helium’s most significant international expansions to date and underscores the accelerating global adoption of decentralized, community-built infrastructure.
Confirmation came during Solana Breakpoint, where Helium also unveiled the Helium International Waitlist, inviting global communities and enterprises to participate in the next phase of people-powered wireless growth.
Helium’s model fundamentally reimagines network deployment. Rather than relying exclusively on top-down telco infrastructure, Helium empowers individuals and businesses to deploy Hotspots – compact devices that behave like mini cell towers – to create wireless coverage precisely where it is needed.
The network today spans more than 120,000 Hotspots across the US and Mexico, serving nearly two million daily users. With this new Brazil initiative, the Helium Network moves decisively into one of the world’s largest and most connectivity-challenged markets.
Despite its massive geography and Digital Transformation efforts, Brazil continues to face persistent disparities in connectivity. Many communities rely on public WiFi kiosks, congested hotspots or inconsistent mobile service. Traditional telco models struggle to cover the country’s vast and varied landscapes, making affordability and availability ongoing obstacles.
Mambo WiFi, headquartered in São Paulo, offers a powerful foundation for change. With 40,000 access points deployed across the nation – in airports, retail centres, transportation hubs, smart city initiatives and public spaces – Mambo already supports major telco providers and has become one of Brazil’s most significant wireless platforms.
Integrating Helium’s decentralized network with Mambo’s infrastructure allows for a rapid and cost-effective entry into the Brazilian market.
“Our collaboration with Mambo represents a significant milestone in expanding the Helium Network internationally,” said Mario Di Dio, GM of Network at Helium. “Together, we’re tackling the telco market in Brazil and pioneering a new model where people-powered networks deliver affordable, reliable coverage at scale. Mambo’s deep carrier experience and national footprint make them the perfect partner to accelerate this shift, while setting the stage for future carrier collaborations internationally.”
This joint venture reveals a clear path forward for countries seeking scalable and flexible connectivity solutions. People-powered networks reduce barriers to deployment, create economic participation opportunities and fill coverage gaps that traditional telecom operators often overlook or deem too costly to address.
