NBA veteran Tristan Thompson has teamed up with World Mobile to introduce Uplift, a community-owned mobile network that allows users to own a part of the service. Thompson, who serves as the company’s chief digital equity officer, unveiled the initiative at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco.
“Uplift is about taking power back from Big Wireless and putting it in the hands of the people,” Thompson said. Subscribers not only get unlimited data plans starting at $9.99 per month but can also become AirNode operators, earning revenue by providing local network coverage. Each subscription helps expand the network in neighborhoods.
The service launches first in Cleveland, Thompson’s hometown and the city where he began his NBA career, with plans to expand to other cities in 2026. Uplift uses blockchain and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) technology to create a shared, equitable connectivity model.
Thompson has also pursued tech ventures outside basketball, including Basketball.fun, AxonDAO, and TracyAI, focusing on blockchain, AI, and sports analytics.
