Wifi Dabba, a decentralized internet service provider, has unveiled a plan to enhance internet connectivity in India by dispersing more than 100,000 devices throughout the country. These devices, which are supported by the Solana blockchain, are part of the DePIN initiative, which aims to connect those who are currently without internet access by the end of the year. Despite India’s vast population of over 1.4 billion people, only 30 million individuals have access to WiFi, leaving a significant portion of the population disconnected from the digital world.
The company’s approach focuses on decentralization as a means to address the limited coverage provided by India’s major telecom companies, which mainly cater to urban areas. Karam Lakshman, the CEO of Wifi Dabba, has criticized the slow progress of current efforts to expand connectivity. He believes that achieving nationwide coverage could take several decades and emphasizes the importance of widespread internet access to support India’s status as the second-largest holder of cryptocurrencies and the fifth-largest global economy.
Lakshman has highlighted the role of blockchain technology in delivering reliable internet access, with device maintenance being handled by external service providers. He sees the DePIN model as a scalable solution for enhancing internet connectivity in developing countries, with plans to use India as a testing ground for potential global applications.
To expand its network, Wifi Dabba intends to collaborate with Local Cable Operators (LCOs) in India, leveraging their community reach. This partnership aims to promote growth and establish market leadership in decentralized wireless and WiFi networks, as highlighted by Arul Murugan, Managing Partner at Borderless Capital, one of the project’s key investors.
The project encourages hotspot owners to participate by acquiring Wifi Dabba’s router hardware and partnering with local cable operators for deployment. Incentives in the form of Dabba tokens will be offered for data usage. The campaign will primarily target areas where there is a high demand for paid WiFi connectivity to install these devices.
Dawn Philip, Wifi Dabba’s head of communications, anticipates a significant increase in DePIN usage in 2024, particularly in developing countries. He echoes Lakshman’s sentiments, underscoring the opportunities in regions where infrastructure development is crucial.
This recent development aligns with the broader adoption of blockchain technology across various sectors in India. In February 2024, STAN, an Indian eSports startup, revealed a partnership with blockchain platform Aptos Labs to establish an e-sports fan platform on the Aptos blockchain. Furthermore, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as tickets for passengers on the Tejas Express trains, allowing them to collect limited NFTs during their journeys from March 20 to April 2.