World Mobile, a new global mobile network built on the sharing economy, is developing what it claims to be the world’s largest and most affordable mesh network using renewable energy and blockchain technology.

Starting in Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Kenya, then moving throughout Africa, the company aims to enable local entrepreneurs to become network operators, earn rewards, and incentivise growth of the network.

According to World Mobile, the lack of Internet connectivity for half the world excludes 3.6 billion people from accessing essential services including online education, banking, and healthcare.

“Until now, traditional telecoms have not found a sustainable business model to connect all of Africa. World Mobile’s sharing economy is an alternative business model that allows the network further reach and will remain more sustainable than any existing traditional telecom,” reads a statement from World Mobile.

The network says blockchain is a core part of its technology stack and is used to create self-governed digital IDs, validate transactions, eliminate middlemen, and enable distributed ownership of the infrastructure.

This allows the community to scale the network and disrupt the oligopoly that has so far left half the world offline, World Mobile explains.

“The network’s off-the-shelf nodes are affordable and easy for operators to set up, empowering them to connect themselves and others while earning World Mobile Tokens. The network delivers calls, texts, data, and value added services to more than 50 countries so far, while raising the bar for privacy standards worldwide,” the statement continues.

To date World Mobile has built a smart village and powered connection citizens of Tanzania, including the Kairuki University Hospital, Open University, and The Institute for Finance Management (IFM).

“Many telecommunication companies are leaving Africans behind because remote places are seen as non-profitable,” said Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile. “Our network will not only connect the unconnected, create digital inclusion and foster economic freedom, but it’s also profitable, allowing the network to provide coverage for years to come. I believe this has been the missing link that big tech companies and mobile network operators have overlooked so far and that is why half the world is still offline.”