The Network Builder in Practice: What We Learned from Batch One and What Comes Next

We’re delighted to confirm that Batch One of the Network Builder auctions closed successfully, 48 hours after deployment.

The first Hexes have been claimed, the first Hex Operators have stepped forward, and with that, the Network Builder has moved decisively from design into reality.

This is an important shift. The responsibility of building and expanding a decentralized mobile network on the ground has changed hands. People around the world have shown that they are ready to commit capital, time, and effort to grow real network activity, in real places, under a system designed to scale with their effort and coordination.

This is what momentum looks like when incentives align. This is progress in decentralized telecom.

How Batch One unfolded: A recap

The Auction Phase of the Network Builder platform opened with Batch One: 1,000 Hexes available for live bidding distributed across the United States. These Hexes were introduced through a structured, demand-driven auction process, where the interest people showed in the preceding Discovery Phase decided the combination of Hexes that would open to bidding.

When the first bid was placed on a Hex, the timer for that auction began. Once 50 Hexes received their first bids, the batch locked in place. At that point, no additional auctions were permitted to start until all 50 auctions concluded.

Every bid, every timer, and every result was recorded onchain, visible for anyone to review.

Here are the key findings:

• Batch One saw bidding take place across 13 USA states, with 118 bids placed in total. When all auctions closed, 18 new Hex NFT holders emerged as winners, becoming the first group of Hex Operators in the Network Builder.

• Across the completed batch, winning bids totaled $34,071.28, all settled transparently onchain.

• Patterns are already beginning to form. Seven contiguous Hexes were claimed in Texas, and six in Alabama, indicating early coordination and regional intent. Pittsburgh saw the highest single-Hex demand, with one Hex closing at $16,775.17.

These numbers signal the start of a powerful story. They are early proof points that participants are thinking beyond isolated decentralized infrastructure and bidding with an entrepreneurial mindset, focusing on scalable, ownable network operations on real ground. This is the first glimpse of how decentralized telecom begins to organize itself when incentives, structure, and responsibility align.

Three key questions about the Network Builder, answered

What does being a Hex Operator actually involve? Can I do it?

A Hex Operator takes responsibility for growing network activity within a defined geographic area. You become a Hex Operator by bidding for and winning a Hex NFT through a Network Builder auction.

It’s important to note that a Hex Operator’s role is not static. This is an undertaking that requires consistent effort, coordination, and planning.

That said, you do not need to do everything at once. The Network Builder platform takes a Hex Operator through a carefully structured series of levels that distributes this responsibility over time, enabling them to work toward their goals systematically and effectively.

Once a Hex Operator completes onboarding, they begin at Level One with a clear focus on subscriber acquisition. This level runs for 90 days, and is all about growing demand and bringing new users onto the network using affiliate activity. Operators who perform well at this level benefit from enhanced affiliate rewards, creating a strong incentive to build momentum early. Progress is tracked through a dedicated dashboard, with clear obligations and milestones that reward consistent, verifiable work.

The system is designed so that Hex Operators can start small, build their capability, and scale their role as they gain experience and momentum, eventually becoming telecom entrepreneurs.

You do not need decades of telecom experience to succeed. You need a willingness to learn, the discipline to follow a clear path, and the commitment to grow network activity step by step using the tools and guidance provided.  

What happens after I win an auction?

When an auction ends, the highest bidder claims the Hex NFT and becomes a Hex Operator. This NFT is a permit that grants them the right to operate and grow the network within a defined area.

From there, the new Hex Operator completes onboarding, including KYC/KYB, and gains access to the Network Builder dashboards and progression tools. The journey is structured through clearly defined levels, each focused on a different phase of network growth.

Level One: Network Growth

Operators begin by focusing on customer acquisition and affiliate marketing activity. The goal at this stage is to function as a Network Affiliate, and by sharing a custom affiliate code, demonstrate the ability to grow network usage and awareness. Progress is measured through verified subscriber acquisition tracked inside the Hex Operator's personal dashboard.

Level Two: Network Planning

At this stage, the Hex Operator moves into planning the expansion of the network within their Hexes. This includes identifying demand for connectivity, coordinating coverage scanning using Scan for Points, reaching out to potential Hosts, and building a deployment plan that reflects real network demand within the Hex.

Level Three: Infrastructure Enablement

Level Three focuses on preparing for infrastructure deployment. Operators complete all the strategic and logistical steps required to support AirNode sales and allocation within their Hex, establishing readiness to move from planning into execution.

At each stage, they are supported and guided by the literature, tools, and dashboards provided by the Network Builder platform.

Level Four: Network Deployment

After three stages of building network awareness, identifying demand, and developing a detailed plan, infrastructure deployment begins. Hex Operators coordinate with Hosts and Agents to install AirNodes, bring them online, and expand the footprint of the network. Growth and customer acquisition continue alongside deployment work.

Level Five: Market Leadership

The final level focuses on sustained performance and scale. Operators work toward achieving meaningful local market participation, reflecting long-term contribution and operational consistency.

At every stage, progress is visible, measured, and tied to specific outcomes. Participation is designed to be gradual, allowing Operators to start at Level 1 and take on additional responsibility over a period of time.

I’m not based in the USA. Can I still participate?

Absolutely. Even though the first 1,000 Hexes are in the United States, your physical presence is not required to fulfil your duties as Hex Operator. The system of Hex Operation is built with international coordination, planning, and execution in mind.

Many early responsibilities, including subscriber acquisition, planning, and coordination, can be handled remotely. Operators can appoint Agents to manage on-the-ground activities such as community outreach, Host coordination, and deployment support.

This operating model has already been proven through the deployment of existing AirNode infrastructure, coordinated across different countries and time zones. You do not need to be present in the United States to become a Hex Operator and expand your own decentralized mobile network on the ground.

Batch Two Opens Today

With the first batch complete, the Network Builder moves forward.

Batch Two opens today at 17:00 UTC.

950 Hexes (after excluding the ones that were claimed in Batch One) will reopen for bidding. As before, once the first bids are placed on 50 Hexes, the batch will lock. No new auctions will begin until those 50 conclude and are claimed.

This window is designed for those who have been watching, learning, and deciding whether this model fits their goals. If you are considering participating, now is the time to:

• Explore the Opportunity Map

• Review available Hexes across the USA

• Save Hexes to your watchlist and decide which opportunities you want to pursue

Here’s a reminder of how the auctions work:

• At 17:00 UTC, all unclaimed Hexes will open for bidding on the Network Builder platform

• Navigate to the Auction Map and select the Hex you want to bid on

• Submit your first bid

• You will be notified via email when there’s an update on your Hex. You can also track progress in the ‘My Bids’ section of the platform

• If outbid, you can raise your bid or claim the Hex immediately by selecting ‘Buy Now’ and paying the buyout price

• Hold the highest bid when the timer ends to claim the Hex NFT for that Hex

Batch One set the foundation and proved that the platform works. With the Hexes claimed and the first Hex Operators ready to begin their journey, you are not building on empty ground. You are joining a cohort of committed participants willing to become telecom entrepreneurs.

At 17:00 UTC today, the map will go live again. For those ready to begin building, this is your moment to act.

Reclaim power. Build the network. Become a telecom entrepreneur.