HNT Token Jumps Over 17% After Helium and AT&T Announce Partnership

Helium, a DePIN project, and U.S. telecom giant AT&T have announced a commercial integration intended to provide seamless connectivity between the traditional mobile network and the crypto project’s hotspots.

As part of the agreement, mobile users will be able to automatically connect to nearby Helium hotspots. 

Technical Integration and Benefits

The integration uses Passpoint technology, allowing devices to automatically authenticate on the Helium network without requiring a login or password. Subscribers will be able to move seamlessly between AT&T’s mobile network and Helium’s decentralized hotspots, especially in areas where coverage is weak or inconsistent.

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To me the most exciting part is how now AT&T and any other carrier offloading into @helium  will leverage real-time Wi-Fi metrics that we implemented on @helium hardware based on IETF/WBA spec. Full UX control across multiple access networks. This is true Wireless Convergence where carriers can now have the same level of trust in 3rd party networks as they have it in their own cellular stack,

said Mario Di Dio, General Manager of Network at Helium.

The agreement between AT&T and Helium development company NOVA Labs does not include direct payments to hotspot operators. They will continue to earn HNT tokens for redirected traffic under a usage-based model, while AT&T will gain access to real-time coverage analytics. 

Context and Market Reaction

Recently, the SEC dropped its case against Nova Labs, choosing not to classify HNT as an unregistered security and accepting a $200,000 civil penalty without an admission of wrongdoing. The move cleared a major regulatory hurdle for Helium, opening the door to potential institutional investment and boosting confidence in the DePIN model.

Following the announcement of the AT&T partnership, Helium’s HNT token, listed on Kucoin, jumped more than 17% in 24 hours. At the time of writing, it trades above $4.20.

Executive Commentary and Outlook

Nova Labs CEO and co-founder Amir Haleem called the partnership a major milestone, saying it could accelerate Helium adoption and deliver real value to both network participants and AT&T customers. Additionally, he hinted at upcoming announcements and deeper engagement with other telecom partners.

This is the season to build! The collaboration with AT&T allows @helium  to be positioned at the forefront of a new era for coverage creation and wireless convergence. Quality is *measureable* Demand is *visible*,

said Mario Di Dio, General Manager of Network at Helium.

Looking ahead, both companies confirmed plans to expand the partnership into new markets, including underserved rural areas and international regions.