Congratulations. You have won a Hex NFT. This marks your entry into the Network Builder as a Hex Operator, with the right to plan, grow, and operate network activity within a defined geographic area.
Winning a Hex is a significant milestone, but it is not the end goal. Ownership alone does not generate rewards. To unlock the full potential of your Hex and become eligible for revenue share, you must move through the Network Builder Enablement process.
This chapter explains what happens after an auction closes: how your Operator status progresses, what responsibilities apply at each stage, and what is required to become an Enabled Hex Operator.
What winning a Hex unlocks
A Hex NFT functions as an operating permit. It confirms your right to develop network activity within that Hex and begin the process of enablement.
From this point forward, your journey is structured around:
- Completing identity verification
- Demonstrating early operational activity
- Submitting a practical business plan
- Acquiring your first subscribers
- Using real coverage data to guide decisions
Progress is tracked inside the Network Builder platform through dashboards, checklists, and evidence-based reviews.
The Network Builder progression system
The Network Builder uses a linear progression model with five levels. Each level builds on the last and is designed to guide a new Hex Operator in their journey towards telecom entrepreneurship.
The five levels are:
- Level 1: Network growth
- Level 2: Network planning
- Level 3: Infrastructure enablement
- Level 4: Network deployment
- Level 5: Market leadership
Progression moves forward only after required actions are completed and confirmed. An important step, called Enablement, sits inside Level 1. You become eligible to earn rewards only after you have reached Enablement, so this step is crucial to make use of the Network Builder opportunity.
Level 1: Network growth and Enablement
Level 1 establishes whether a Hex moves from ownership into operation. It is the foundation for all progression that follows.
The 90-day enablement window
From the moment you win a Hex auction, a 90-day enablement window begins.
The 90-day enablement window is designed to ensure that Hex Operators move beyond winning an auction and take meaningful steps toward operating the network. During this period, you are expected to complete the required identity verification, submit and progress against your Business Plan, and demonstrate real operational readiness in line with Network Builder requirements.
Full operational privileges, including access to rewards, are granted only after post-auction requirements are completed and approved.
If required steps are not completed within the 90-day window, World Mobile may review the situation on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the Network Builder Terms and Conditions. Depending on the circumstances, this review may result in actions such as extended remediation periods, conditional approval, limitation of certain rights, or, where appropriate, reversion or re-auction of the Hex NFT.
There is no automatic outcome, and there is no fixed rule governing reversion, re-auction, or any potential compensation related to the WMTx committed in the original auction. All decisions are made reasonably and in good faith, taking into account progress made, intent, and the specific operational context.
For full details on enablement, post-auction requirements, and how defaults or remedial actions are handled, refer to Sections 7 and 8 of the Network Builder Terms and Conditions.
There are specific steps you must take within this 90-day window, spread across three statuses. Let’s understand what this means.
Status 1: Identified
This status applies immediately after you win a Hex auction.
What this status means:
- You own the Hex NFT
- Your wallet is recorded by the platform as the Operator of the Hex
Required action:
- Complete identity verification to progress
Identity verification is completed through a secure third-party provider inside the platform.
- Individuals complete KYC
- Businesses complete KYC for a managing director and KYB for the business
Until verification is complete, access to operational tools and reward eligibility remains locked.
Status 2: Authorized
Once identity verification is completed, your status becomes Authorized. If you have opted into emails, you can consent to receiving email updates on KYC/KYB as well.
What this status means:
- You are recognized as a verified participant in the Network Builder
- You gain access to the tools required to begin operational activity
Required actions:
- Use the Scan-for-Points feature in the World Mobile app to survey at least 10% of the land area inside your Hex and at least 50% of the roadways inside your Hex
- Acquire 1,000 subscribers using your Affiliate code
- Draft and submit a business plan – More details on this will follow in the platform
Authorized status is where measurable activity begins. Actions taken here count toward meeting the enablement requirements within the 90-day window.
Status 3: Enabled
Enabled status confirms that you have met the initial operational requirements within the enablement window.
What this status means:
- You have demonstrated early demand and operational readiness
- You become eligible to participate in the Network Builder rewards framework, subject to ongoing compliance
In summary: Do this to become Enabled
To become Enabled within the 90-day window, all the following requirements must be met and verified in the platform:
- Identity verification
KYC or KYB must be completed and approved. - Business Plan submission
A Business Plan must be submitted and approved through the platform (see Chapter 7 for more information on creating a business plan). The plan should outline your:- Deployment approach
- Coverage priorities
- Subscriber acquisition strategy
- Expected upfront and operational costs
- Scan-for-Points activity
Using the Scan-for-Points feature of the World Mobile app, you must scan at least 10% for the full land area of your Hex and 50% of the roadways within your Hex.
- Minimum subscriber requirement
You must acquire 1,000 active subscribers using your affiliate code. Progress is tracked in your Operator dashboard.
Rewards remain locked until Enablement is achieved. Enablement is required to access the rewards framework and to progress beyond Level 1 to Level 2.
Responsibilities beyond Enablement
Once you reach Enabled status, your responsibilities expand beyond early demand. You have now completed Level 1 of the Hex Operator Progression levels, proving you can activate growth and operate with discipline inside the 90-day enablement window. The next four levels expand that work. Each step focuses on a specific phase of building, validating, and scaling network activity inside your Hex.
Each level contains guidance provided through your Hex Operator dashboard, and specific responsibilities tracked through verified actions.
Level 2: Network planning
Level 2 focuses on planning infrastructure inside your Hex based on real demand on the ground.
By the time you enter Level 2, you should already have started mapping demand using Scan-for-Points in Level 1. Level 2 turns that activity into a practical plan you can execute.
At this stage, you move into planning the expansion of the network inside your Hex by coordinating scanning, reaching out to potential Hosts, and building a demand-driven AirNode deployment plan.
To progress through Level 2, you are expected to:
- Identify potential AirNode Host locations inside the Hex
- Continue scanning activity using the World Mobile Scan-for-Points feature
- Identify coverage gaps and priority zones based on what scanning reveals
- Build a deployment plan grounded in observed demand
Completion of these requirements moves you into Level 3.
Level 3: Infrastructure enablement
Level 3 focuses on preparing for infrastructure deployment.
In this level, you complete the strategic and logistical steps required to support AirNode sales and allocation inside your Hex. The core requirement in this level is completing one successful AirNode sale through the platform.
To complete Level 3, you must:
- Successfully conduct an AirNode sale
Completing this level may unlock eligibility for hardware-related rewards, including commission on eligible AirNode sales, based on the Network Builder rewards framework.
Level 3 confirms that you can move from planning to execution that results in real infrastructure activity.
Level 4: Network deployment
Level 4 is where larger-scale deployment begins.
By this stage, you have already established demand, mapped priorities, identified Host opportunities, and completed at least one AirNode sale. Level 4 expands the footprint of live infrastructure by coordinating installs and bringing more AirNodes online.
In Level 4, you coordinate with Hosts and Agents to install AirNodes, activate them, and expand network presence. Subscriber growth continues alongside deployment work.
At this stage, you are responsible for:
- Deploying AirNodes at validated Host locations
- Bringing infrastructure into operation by coordinating activation and readiness
- Continuing subscriber acquisition and network growth alongside deployment
Level 4 is measured through real deployments and sustained growth activity.
Level 5: Market leadership
Level 5 focuses on sustained performance and scale.
This stage reflects long-term contribution and operational consistency. The goal is meaningful local market participation, measured through market share inside your Hex.
To complete Level 5, you must:
- Achieve 10% market share within the Hex
Market share measurement considers factors such as location and density. Full criteria will be shared with Operators as they approach this level.
Completion of Level 5 results in Master Builder status. Master Builder status is tied to additional reward opportunities covered later in this chapter.
The Network Builder Rewards framework
Rewards become available only after Enablement. All rewards are earned through verified work and ongoing participation in the Network Builder. There is no passive component.
The Network Builder includes five types of rewards that a Hex Operator can stand to earn.
1. Subscription revenue rewards
Enabled Hex Operators may earn a share of eligible World Mobile phone plan subscription revenue.
How it works:
- You may earn up to 5% of phone plan subscription revenue collected from subscribers who join using your affiliate code
- Subscribers may be acquired inside or outside the Hex
- Eligibility may increase through milestone-based progression
- Eligible revenue currently applies to USA Essential and Advanced phone plans
- Rewards may be paid in fiat or stablecoins where permitted
Illustrative example: When a Hex Operator acquires 1,000 subscribers (the minimum amount to earn rewards – more details in a later section), and each subscriber signs up to the Standard phone plan at $25 per month, the Hex Operator will earn $1,250 annually.
Bear in mind that this illustrative rewards projection does not include:
- AirNode sales commission
- Any other hardware sales commission
- Enhanced Affiliate Rewards
- Government fees, taxes, carrier pass-through charges, etc. These costs must be borne by the Hex Operator
Disclaimer: The earning examples shown in this section are illustrative only and are provided to demonstrate how the Network Builder rewards framework functions under specific, simplified assumptions. These examples should not be interpreted as guarantees of income, profit, or financial return.
Actual earnings, if any, depend entirely on factors including but not limited to subscriber acquisition, user retention, infrastructure deployment success, local market conditions, and the ongoing actions and performance of the Hex Operator. It is possible to earn less than the examples shown, or nothing at all.
All reward formulas, percentages, thresholds, and incentive structures are subject to change. Any examples or descriptions reflect the framework in effect at the time of publication only and do not constitute a guarantee of future rewards or outcomes.
2. Enhanced affiliate rewards
Hex Operators also qualify for the ‘Enhanced’ affiliate rewards. When you operate a Hex, you essentially become a premium World Mobile affiliate.
Each Hex Operator may earn up to $60 per activated subscriber through this track, depending on the phone plan that the subscriber purchases, and the duration for which their subscription stays active.
These rewards support outreach, education, and community activation of the phone plans. More details will be made visible in your Operator Dashboard.
Illustrative example: Consider a Hex Operator that acquires 1,000 phone plan subscribers through their affiliate code. They will earn $25 enhanced affiliate rewards for each subscriber on the Standard plan, adding an income of up to $25,000. This, combined with the subscription rewards mentioned in the previous point, brings their total earnings so far to $26,250. This income alone is enough to put you in the top 8-10% of earners worldwide.
3. Hardware and deployment rewards
Hex Operators can also earn rewards linked to AirNode sales activity inside their Hex.
These include:
- A 12.5% commission on eligible AirNode hardware sales
- Other usage-based rewards applied to AirNodes operating inside the Hex. More details will be made available in due time, primarily in your Hex Operator dashboard
Illustrative example: A Hex Operator who coordinates the installation of a Portal 360 AirNode in their Hex will earn $2,250 in commission. Even with just 10 Portal 360 AirNodes installed, they earn $22,500 not counting any other usage-based rewards. Combined with the other earnings outlined in previous points, the Hex Operator’s total annual income now stands at $48,750 – making you earn more than 95% of people on Earth.
4. Development-based milestone rewards
Additional rewards may be earned for completing milestones that support long-term adoption.
Milestones may include:
- 10% of the land area of the Hex and 50% of the roadways in that Hex
- Securing Host sites
- Installing and activating AirNodes
- Subscriber growth beyond the initial 1,000 requirement
- Other defined development and engagement requirements
5. Master Builder rewards
Completing all five levels, including the Level 5 market share objective, results in Master Builder status.
Master Builders may receive:
- Additional discounts on AirNode hardware
- An additional 1% share of eligible subscription revenue, bringing the total to 6%
Illustrative example:
Illustrative example: A single Hex associated with the minimum of 1,000 subscribers will earn a Master Builder Hex Operator $1,500 annually.
Taken together, these examples illustrate the potential scale of the Network Builder opportunity: subscriber growth, affiliate acquisition, and infrastructure deployment stacked into a single earnings framework that can rival the income of top-performing professionals by successfully expanding the network in one Hex.
