According to Mickey Watkins, decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePINs) can potentially fill the void or blackspots that major telecoms have consistently failed to cover. DePINs can potentially offer an alternative to frustrated subscribers and a chance to earn an extra income.
DePIN Market Projected to Reach $3.5 Trillion by 2028
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has projected that the decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) market could skyrocket to $3.5 trillion by 2028, up from its current estimated value of $30 billion to $50 billion with more than 1,500 active projects worldwide.
According to a report, a major driver of this explosive growth is the rise of decentralized physical artificial intelligence (DePAI), which the WEF describes as a “fundamental shift” in how AI agents interact with physical infrastructure and real-world data. Unlike traditional centralized models, DePAI leverages community-owned networks where users contribute to machine learning through everyday activities, removing the bottleneck of centralized datasets.
World Mobile, a DePIN that has made great strides in Africa and Asia, is now poised for an accelerated rollout in the U.S. The company recently unveiled data with growth dynamics that suggest the WEF’s projections are on track. For instance, World Mobile’s ecosystem metrics show it has surpassed the 40,000 airnodes threshold while total revenue grew by nearly 4,000% to $7.2 million.
Commenting on the potential of what is often considered a mature American market, Mickey Watkins, founder and CEO of World Mobile, said his company’s aim is to cover “blackspots” that telecommunications giants have consistently failed to cover.
“The so-called mature U.S. telco market still leaves over 11% of the country completely unconnected. Even in America’s most connected cities, coverage blackspots remain a daily frustration. That is not maturity. That is Big Wireless failing to evolve,” Watkins said.
The CEO added that the U.S. market can deliver one of the world’s highest Average Revenue Per User (ARPUs), supporting a strong sharing economy that directly benefits the people building the network.
Consumer Trust at a Low With Major US Carriers
Beyond targeting uncovered spots, DePINs like World Mobile can potentially offer an alternative to frustrated subscribers of telecom giants. A growing body of evidence suggests that consumer trust in the United States’ largest wireless carriers—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile—is at a precarious low. Millions of subscribers are said to be actively seeking alternatives, driven by widespread dissatisfaction with perceived overpricing, lack of transparency, and inadequate data management.
A Q1 2025 report by RCR Wireless News shows that Verizon faced its “worst result on record,” with a net loss of 289,000 postpaid phone customers. While AT&T and T-Mobile added customers, their churn rates increased significantly, signaling growing customer unease. The beneficiaries of this shift are not traditional competitors, but rather cable companies and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like Spectrum and Comcast, which reportedly gained more new phone customers than all three major carriers combined during the same period. This indicates that consumers are not simply switching between the “Big Three,” but are opting out of the traditional carrier model altogether.
This mass migration is rooted in core consumer complaints. For instance, a 2025 survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) found that wireless service satisfaction had dropped to a 10-year low, with AT&T showing the largest decrease in satisfaction with both call quality and network capability. Price is a primary driver of this discontent. A separate 2025 Mobile Consumer Survey by OXIO found that 85% of consumers cite cost as the single most important factor in choosing a mobile provider, with a staggering 90% stating they would consider switching to an alternative for more customized and cost-effective plans.
Watkins Touts Sharing Economy
Meanwhile, Watkins argued that economic pressures are leading some in the U.S. to seek new ways to earn income, which DePINs can provide.
“At the same time, economic pressures mean people want new ways to earn. We have seen this with the rise of side hustles and sharing economy success stories like Uber and Airbnb. World Mobile’s AirNode operation taps into that same mindset. If you can earn from your spare room or your car, why not your connectivity,” Watkins asked.
He added that World Mobile is accelerating roll out in the U.S. because the conditions for DePIN are “perfect.” He added:
“People want privacy, ownership and new income streams. They want to reclaim power, and we are making it possible.”
Regarding the company’s earthnode buyback program, Watkins said it is designed to benefit the community by using a portion of the revenue generated from the network to repurchase World Mobile Tokens (WMTx) from the market. These tokens are then distributed to EarthNode operators, stakers, and community members who contribute to the network’s operation and security.
The program is already underway, with the first buyback having occurred in May 2023. Subsequent buybacks take place at random intervals to ensure fairness and transparency.
