Chirp CEO criticises telecom sector, advocates for DePIN solutions
Tim Kravchunovsky, the founder and CEO of Chirp, a decentralized telecommunications network, has articulated strong criticisms of the current state of the telecommunications sector and the traditional financial world’s approach to the decentralised physical infrastructure network (DePIN) field. In a series of commentaries, Kravchunovsky underscored the pressing need for blockchain-based decentralized telecom solutions, particularly in light of recent developments in the United States.
Kravchunovsky highlighted the conclusion of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the US, which provided financial assistance to more than 23 million households. He stressed that the end of this program exposed the vulnerabilities linked to relying on major telecom providers. “The end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the US highlights the need for blockchain-based decentralized telecommunications networks to fix the issues that plague the telecoms sector today,” Kravchunovsky stated. He noted that while many telecom giants have pledged to continue providing lower-cost internet to eligible users, there is no assurance this commitment will be sustained, particularly when it could become a political issue in future elections.
To address such risks, Kravchunovsky proposed DePIN as a viable alternative. Emphasising its benefits, he explained, “DePINs decentralize and democratize network infrastructure by allowing the end user to become the connectivity provider. Such a network is resilient against regulation, censorship, and political agendas.” According to Kravchunovsky, DePIN not only offers continuous connectivity but also saves users money and rewards them for their contributions. This model, he believes, has endless applications, particularly in IoT device networks, creating a genuine connection between blockchain technology and real-world applications.
In a subsequent commentary, Kravchunovsky turned his focus to the future of smart technologies, particularly the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with blockchain-based IoT networks. He envisions this fusion as pivotal in constructing intelligent, decentralized systems that enhance security and efficiency. “Integrating AI with blockchain-based Internet of Things (IoT) networks is the key to building decentralized, intelligent systems with enhanced security and efficiency,” he said.
Exploring practical applications, Kravchunovsky highlighted the role of AI-enhanced IoT devices, such as video cameras that can alert authorities to criminal activities, as well as in shop or hospital monitoring and home security enhancements. He warned, however, of potential misuse, stressing the importance of blockchain in protecting against such risks. “The intersection of blockchain and AI could easily facilitate a surveillance state with few personal freedoms. This is where the benefits of blockchain really shine,” he commented. Decentralized networks, he argued, offer increased security and prevent single points of failure, thus fostering trust and reliability in AI-driven solutions.
Kravchunovsky also criticised recent forays by traditional finance into the DePIN sector, particularly by Franklin Templeton. He argued that their support for projects like Hivemapper and Helium reflected a lack of genuine understanding of the Web3 landscape. “These big traditional asset managers are looking at the wrong metrics to determine the future success of crypto projects like DePIN. They are failing to conduct thorough research and simply picking out the most established projects that have raised the most funds,” he stated.
By pointing out the struggles of Helium and Hivemapper with tokenomics and network efficacy, Kravchunovsky suggested that the focus should shift to newer, more innovative projects. He implied that traditional asset managers could be making misguided decisions by relying heavily on past performance and established reputation. “It’s the innovation they should be looking at, which moves at lightning speed in Web3. So perhaps it’s best not to take crypto buy signals from the likes of Franklin Templeton,” he concluded.
Kravchunovsky’s perspectives present a compelling call for more innovative approaches both in telecom infrastructure and financial investments in Web3 technologies, promoting a vision of a more decentralized and user-empowered future.
