- Andrew Yang’s Noble Mobile is buying Helium Mobile, combining two MVNOs built around lower-cost wireless service
- The companies say subscribers should see continuity in service as Noble gains access to Helium’s hotspot footprint
- The deal does not affect Nova Labs and leaves the broader Helium Network intact
Nobile Mobile, the MVNO founded by former U.S. presidential candidate Andrew Yang, has acquired Helium Mobile. Terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition makes a lot of sense in that both MVNOs are laser-focused on making wireless phone service more affordable.
Noble Mobile launched last year with cash-back rewards for people when they use their mobile phones less, the idea being that people are paying the big facilities-based carriers way too much for data they don’t use. Plans start at $50 for a single line.
Helium Mobile leverages the Helium Network, which is made up of Wi-Fi hotspots that people install in their homes or businesses; they earn rewards in return for providing coverage used by carriers, including Helium Mobile and now, Noble Mobile.
“Through this acquisition, the two are joining forces to flip the script on an industry that has spent decades overcharging by putting that money back into the pockets of Americans,” the companies said in a press release.
“Most Americans don’t think about their phone bill as an economic issue, but it is. It’s money leaving their pocket every single month for a service that should cost a fraction of what the big carriers charge,” Yang said in a statement. “Noble Mobile and Helium Mobile were both built to change that, and through this acquisition, we’re committed to reaching even more people that this industry has ignored for too long.”
Both use T-Mobile’s 5G network
Both MVNOs use T-Mobile’s network, although they didn’t name the carrier in their release.
“Helium Mobile and Noble Mobile rely on the same nationwide 5G network, so subscribers can expect the same high-quality service,” Helium COO Frank Mong told Fierce via email.
Currently, the Helium Network serves millions of subscribers every day from Helium Mobile and other major carriers, supported by 137,000 hotspots that they call “mini cell towers” operated by individuals across the country.
So, how did these two come together?
Mong said when they evaluated potential acquirers, they were laser focused on who would best serve Helium’s subscribers long-term. “Noble Mobile was the right fit because of our alignment in values, and the people leading the organization,” he told Fierce. “It was important for us to select a partner that would continue to prioritize our subscribers and, together, push for wireless affordability and accessibility.”
Helium Mobile’s structure can get a little confusing. Helium and Freedom Fi were brought together under Nova Labs years ago.
Mong stressed that nothing changes for the Helium Network under this new acquisition beyond getting more usage from Noble subscribers, who will become users of the Helium Network.
“To be clear, Helium Mobile, the consumer carrier service, is being acquired, not Nova Labs/Helium, which will continue to operate and expand the people-powered Helium Network,” Mong said. “That does not change with this acquisition.”
As for what happens with Helium Mobile staff, he said the Helium team is entering its next phase: scaling an intelligent connectivity platform that any carrier or connected service can build on, including Noble Mobile. More details about what the Helium Network team is up to are expected in coming days.
This article was updated to clarify Helium Mobile's relationship with Helium Network.