In 2003, the World Summit on the Information Society was convened under the United Nations and made a Declaration on the importance of the internet in maintaining and strengthening human rights. This was reaffirmed by several multilateral bodies and countries in their own respective declarations.

While not necessarily a human right, per se, internet access is now considered a necessity as it facilitates information exchange and interaction. The UN itself released a resolution in 2016 condemning the disruption of internet access by governments.

With the help of decentralised physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) and decentralised wireless (DeWi), connectivity is becoming more than just a service, but a universal right and a reward-generating opportunity for the average person. With the benefits of decentralisation embedded into innovative blockchain-based technologies, these networks are creating a link between the digital and real worlds in ways not possible only a few years ago.

Blockchain is increasingly becoming embedded into our everyday lives, and DePIN and DeWi are set to provide a practical solution to the challenges of internet connectivity, especially at the last mile.

Potentially revolutionising the US$1.8 trillion global telecommunications industry, this shift is not just about introducing new technologies to a traditional sector, but also about democratising access and benefitting individuals instead of the conglomerates that have ruled the telecoms space until now.

Democratising communications

Unlike technological advancements of the past, DePIN and DeWi don’t just improve efficiency – they democratise access to essential services. They are dismantling the barriers erected by the sheer scale of investment and regulatory complexities that plague the telecoms industry, helping to create a more level playing field in delivering network infrastructure.

“This shift was facilitated by the advent of blockchain technology, which powers peer-to-peer wireless networks,” says Tim Kravchunovsky, CEO of decentralised telecommunications network Chirp. “For the first time, cryptocurrencies facilitate a simple distribution of rewards across network participants, allowing individuals to challenge the status quo in the telecoms sector.”

This year, DePIN and DeWi have already seen significant growth, with a current market capitalisation of over US$30 billion. From the ongoing collaboration between Sui and Chirp that aims to leverage DePIN and DeWi technologies for enhanced connectivity, to the US$15 million raised by DePIN Peaq and the emergence of new decentralised communications projects like Karrier One, the sector is quickly booming.

These projects are particularly making an impact on the internet-of-things or IoT sector, which is expected to drive growth in the DePIN sector. “Scooters for rent or car sharing are perfect examples of how DePIN benefits the community. All of these devices need a network to communicate,” adds Kravchunovsky.

Benefitting the individual

So how exactly do these projects propose to turn the telecommunications sector on its head? Consider that the industry today is dominated by a handful of global giants, which makes it a challenge to develop and build sustainable telecom networks in emerging economies.

The telecommunications industry is characterised by high barriers to entry and limited competition. This monopolistic tendency not only stifles innovation but also leaves vast swathes of the global population in a connectivity void.

This is the very real problem that DePIN and DeWi are setting out to solve. A real-life example of this is Chirp’s Blackbird antenna – a device that allows individuals to provide wireless connectivity to their surrounding area and earn rewards for this service.

As an added benefit of providing decentralised internet access, DePIN and DeWi solutions are also an ideal solution for redundancy in communications, especially during disasters when the regular telecommunications infrastructures are usually overloaded or rendered useless.

“[E]ven if the global internet network is no longer available, it is still possible to stay connected,” writes Jonathan Deyoung of Cointelegraph and The Agenda podcast. “The solution lies in decentralised and distributed local networks known as mesh networks, which could serve as the technological backbone of a disaster-ravaged future.”

These technologies could be particularly game-changing for rural, developing areas and underserved communities where traditional telecom companies have hesitated to invest, resulting in a lack of reliable wireless connectivity in these regions.

An equitable economic model

However, while developed countries tend to enjoy ample connectivity at incredible speeds, DePIN and DeWi can also lead to benefits for individuals living in regions with well-developed telecom infrastructure.

By introducing a new incentivised economic model, these peer-to-peer wireless networks can drastically cut costs and provide earning opportunities for the owners of antennas that provide coverage. This distributes economic benefits more evenly across the network’s participants at the community level, ultimately fostering a more equitable society.

From an environmental standpoint, DePIN and DeWi also offer several benefits. In a world grappling with climate change and inequality, these innovative technologies offer the ability to deploy energy-efficient, decentralised infrastructure. By enabling peer-to-peer energy consumption, for example, DePIN can facilitate the transition to renewable energy sources, reducing the carbon footprint of digital networks.

The takeaway

The rise of DePIN and DeWi technologies heralds a sea change for the telecommunications industry. By decentralising the infrastructure that underpins our digital world, DePIN and DeWi could usher in an era of connectivity that is more accessible, equitable, and sustainable.

As we embrace these changes, we’re not just flipping an established industry; we’re redefining the very fabric of our digital society, ensuring that, in the future, connectivity is a universal right, not a privilege.

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