Althea Network
Description
Giulio Quarta and Simone Robutti:
"Althea Network originated from Hawk Networks, a small company aiming to provide Internet access to unconnected communities in Oregon. Utilizing a mesh network system, the team allowed small groups to build, share and manage internet infrastructure collectively.
As their operations grew and more communities got connected, the project progressively evolved into a stack of different components, first running on [Gnosis Chain](https://www.gnosischain.com/) and then becoming its own independent blockchain, Althea Network Layer 1, live on mainnet [since April 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SusUaoL_gg).
Althea is now a decentralized protocol allowing communities to manage their own internet services, offering secure transactions and automatic compensation for bandwidth providers; the network ensures privacy with **encrypted connections and uses a price-aware protocol for cost-effective internet access**.
If this wasn’t enough, the Althea Network protocol **provides major telecom operators with the tools to optimize their existing infrastructure**. This shift allows for more distributed governance and revenue sharing, ultimately promoting a more resilient and adaptable network. As telecom giants adopt these practices, the industry moves closer to a decentralized model, unwillingly favoring its own decline."