World Mobile has announced the premiere of their groundbreaking documentary “Connecting the Disconnected,” showcasing the remarkable recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. The feature-length film documents how World Mobile’s innovative AirNode technology, paired with Starlink backhaul, restored vital connectivity to devastated communities.
The live premiere will be hosted by renowned broadcaster Mario Nawfal on x.com on December 10, 2024, at 21:30 UTC. Viewers will witness firsthand accounts from survivors, technical teams, and community leaders as they share their experiences of rebuilding communication infrastructure in the wake of disaster.
This documentary represents a significant milestone in demonstrating the real-world impact of decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) in emergency response situations. Through the combination of World Mobile’s AirNode technology and Starlink integration, the team established a resilient communication network that brought hope and connectivity to communities when they needed it most.
Following the live premiere, the full documentary will be available on World Mobile’s X and YouTube channels on December 11, 2024, at 13:00 UTC. Additionally, a special Community Update AMA will be held the same day at 16:00 UTC, providing an opportunity to discuss the project’s insights and behind-the-scenes details with the team.
This premiere event promises to be an inspiring showcase of innovation, resilience, and the power of decentralized connectivity in disaster recovery.
Meet the Stars of “Connecting the Disconnected”: Black Betty, Christian Rees, and OceanicGoon
Following the announcement of World Mobile’s documentary premiere, let’s meet some key figures who made the Hurricane Helene recovery mission possible.
Christian Rees: Boots on the Ground World Mobile’s Nevada Regional Manager, Christian Rees, brought his extensive community engagement experience from Reno to the Hurricane Helene recovery effort. His ability to bridge relationships between World Mobile and local communities proved invaluable during the North Carolina mission. Christian’s expertise in network deployment and community liaison made him an essential figure in the restoration efforts.
OceanicGoon: The Catalyst It started with a single tweet. World Mobile Ambassador @OceanicGoon brought attention to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, sparking World Mobile’s emergency response initiative. Acting as the crucial liaison between World Mobile’s team and people on the ground, OceanicGoon helped transform a digital call for help into real-world impact, demonstrating how one voice can catalyze meaningful change.
Black Betty: The Legendary Black Hawk A crucial player in the mission was “Black Betty,” a UH-60A+ Black Hawk helicopter owned by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson. Originally serving in six overseas deployments including Operation Enduring Freedom and Desert Storm before her 2017 retirement, Black Betty found new purpose under Hoskinson’s ownership. Named after Ram Jam’s 1977 hit and modernized in 2021 with upgraded engines, avionics, and controls, she now supports firefighting missions and, importantly, aided World Mobile’s connectivity restoration efforts in North Carolina.
This story showcases how technology, community engagement, and rapid response came together to restore connectivity and hope to a devastated region. Join us for the full documentary premiere today December 10, 2024.