Telefónica Embraces Helium Mobile Hotspots to Extend Network Reach in Mexico

Hotspot deployment in Oaxaca, Mexico

(IN BRIEF) Telefónica, a leading telecommunications provider, has collaborated with Nova Labs to introduce Helium Mobile Hotspots in Mexico. This initiative aims to extend Telefónica’s network coverage, enable mobile data offloading to the Helium Mobile Network, and enhance mobile service quality for customers. The solution utilizes the OpenWifi standard, allowing select Movistar customers in Mexico to access the Helium Mobile Network using their Movistar SIM cards. Helium Mobile Hotspots, controlled by Telefónica’s proprietary management system, facilitate this integration, reducing infrastructure costs and supporting community-driven network expansion. This innovative partnership aims to enhance coverage, reduce costs, and maintain service quality.

(PRESS RELEASE) MADRID, 24-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Telefónica (BME: TEF, NYSE: TEF), a Spanish multinational telecommunications company, has joined forces with Nova Labs, a pioneer in decentralized wireless communication technologies, to introduce Helium Mobile Hotspots in Mexico. This innovative solution, initially rolled out in Mexico City and Oaxaca, enhances Telefónica’s network coverage, facilitates mobile data offloading to the Helium Mobile Network, and enhances overall mobile service quality for customers.

Leveraging the OpenWifi standard developed by the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), Telefónica and Nova Labs enable select Movistar customers in Mexico to utilize the Helium Mobile Network via their Movistar SIM cards for authentication.

The Helium Mobile Hotspots are integrated with a proprietary management system created by Telefónica, which governs automatic customer access to the Helium Mobile Network for mobile data sessions. Telefónica retains full control over the customer experience, overseeing hotspot status before granting access and data downloads via the Helium Mobile Network. This groundbreaking solution combines the cellular network’s core with Helium Mobile Network coverage, offering global deployment potential for any operator.

This novel solution seamlessly bridges the worlds of WiFi and mobile through SIM card integration, substantially reducing telecommunications infrastructure costs, lowering capital and operational expenditures, and minimizing environmental impact. Moreover, it empowers individuals and small businesses to deploy Helium Mobile Hotspots, enabling Telefónica to accelerate coverage expansion while delivering quality service to its clientele.

The Helium Mobile Network empowers Telefónica to allocate and access coverage precisely where it’s needed most. The compact, discreet, and easily deployable Helium Mobile Hotspots can be installed in confined spaces, bolstering mobile coverage and facilitating mobile data offloading from the core network to the Helium Mobile Network. This community-driven solution enhances mobile data coverage and operates on a transparent and immutable economic system powered by Helium Network’s blockchain-based technology.

José Juan Haro, Chief Wholesale and Public Affairs Officer at Telefónica, expressed, “Telefónica is exploring ways to expand coverage through innovative, lower-cost, cooperative-based solutions. This program in Mexico is critical to evaluate performance and customer satisfaction of this solution and its associated costs. Our expectation, if successful, is to incorporate this into our portfolio of mobile networks in the different countries of the region”.

Amir Haleem, CEO of Nova Labs, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are excited 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 main challenges for telecommunications and pioneered a solution that supports secure data offload that can be implemented globally. This is a major advancement for the telco industry and will significantly reduce infrastructure cost while maintaining high quality service”.

Media contact:

prensatelefonica@telefonica.com
+34 91 482 38 00

SOURCE: Telefónica, S.A.