World Mobile, a blockchain-powered mobile network, has partnered up with DITO CME, the parent company of Dito Telecom, one of the fastest-growing mobile operators in the Philippines, according to the latest reports disclosed to Finbold on February 5.
The new partnership is expected to bring mobile and broadband services to rural areas while introducing blockchain technology to the country’s financial landscape.
World Mobile’s AirNodes, some of which will be powered by Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite backhaul, will play a key role in the operations.
Mobile and broadband services in underserved areas
Merging DITO CME’s telecommunications ecosystem with World Mobile’s decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN), the partnership seeks to provide around 25 million people with reliable and affordable internet.
Micky Watkins, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of World Mobile Group, emphasized the significance of these developments:
“This partnership with DITO CME represents a significant milestone in our mission to democratize access to connectivity across the globe. By leveraging blockchain technology and a decentralized sharing economy model, we can empower communities and provide connectivity solutions that ensure no one is left behind.”
The DTaka e-wallet
DTaka, a blockchain-powered e-wallet built on the World Mobile Chain and set to be integrated into DITO CME’s ecosystem, will be central to the collaboration.
Operating as a dual-token system, the wallet offers stable-token functionality for remittances and mobile payments and introduces a utility token used for gamification, loyalty rewards, and user engagement.
Emmanuel Samson, CEO of DTaka, described DTaka as having the potential to transform the way e-wallets are utilized in the Southeast Asian country:
“DTaka is set to revolutionize the e-wallet space in the Philippines, empowering users with a seamless and secure blockchain-powered platform. ”
DITO CME President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Donald Lim in turn highlighted the broader impact of the initiative:
“By integrating blockchain technology and extending connectivity to rural and sectors, we are transforming the telecommunications landscape in the Philippines and beyond.”
Bringing telecommunications to a decentralized network
The new partnership also highlights the growing adoption of DePIN models that emphasize shared ownership and operation of essential services.
Following the same principles, World Mobile and DITO CME aim to promote a more inclusive and sustainable telecommunications network that benefits individual local users and businesses alike.
The first rollout is coming in 2025, with DTaka’s wallet and app launching on the World Mobile Chain.
