Telefónica has joined forces with Nova Labs to deploy Helium-powered 5G hotspots across Mexico City and Oaxaca. Announced Wednesday, the initiative aims to extend Telefónica’s network coverage in Mexico using innovative, cost-effective technology.
The Helium network runs on the Solana blockchain. Operators who host hotspots on this Solana-based network receive token rewards as incentives for providing connectivity through decentralised nodes.
By integrating Helium hotspots, Telefónica plans to offload some data traffic from its traditional cellular infrastructure onto the Helium 5G network. Customers will be able to connect using their existing Telefónica SIM cards, while a proprietary management system will control access and monitor hotspot performance and status.
Helium Mobile is a wireless service developed by Nova Labs, the team behind the decentralised Helium network. In the United States, Helium Mobile complements its model by leveraging T-Mobile’s 5G network for nationwide coverage, but this collaboration with Telefónica represents the first major carrier deployment of Helium hotspots at scale.
Telefónica, which serves more than 383 million mobile and broadband customers across Europe and Latin America, says the Mexico program will be a key test to assess both technical performance and customer satisfaction.
“This program in Mexico is critical to evaluate performance and customer satisfaction of this solution and its associated costs,” said José Juan Haro, Telefónica’s Chief Wholesale and Public Affairs Officer. “Our expectation, if successful, is to incorporate this into our portfolio of mobile networks across the region.”
Nova Labs asserts that a community-based deployment model can lower infrastructure expenses compared with conventional cell towers. The companies note that compact, Solana-powered hotspots make it feasible to expand coverage in specific, targeted areas without the heavy investment required for large tower builds.
“We are thrilled to work with innovative carriers like Telefónica,” said Nova Labs CEO Chuck Cook. “This collective approach represents an evolution in how carriers can deploy resilient, high-quality connectivity.”
The Telefónica rollout is a notable milestone for scaling the Helium network throughout Latin America and for the broader adoption of decentralised 5G solutions. If the pilot proves successful, the model could influence how operators balance traditional infrastructure with decentralised alternatives to improve coverage and reduce costs.
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