Understanding Dabba: A Comprehensive Overview

Key Insights

• Dabba is building a decentralized wireless network to bridge connectivity gaps in India. The Dabba Network will operate as a DePIN marketplace, coordinating multiple supply-side stakeholders to deliver high-speed internet access based on consumer demand.
• Dabba Network aggregates services from India’s independent backhaul providers and local cable operators. By compensating them with Dabba Tokens (DBT), this model incentivizes participation, strengthens the competitiveness of small, independent providers, and expands Dabba Network’s scalability.
• Dabba Network adopts a demand-led model, installing hotspots where there is confirmed consumer demand from paying subscribers. This approach optimizes resource allocation to align infrastructure deployment with usage needs and reduce inefficiencies common in supply-first strategies.
• Dabba Network serves as a “Layer 0 DePIN” that establishes the foundational infrastructure required for other DePINs to operate. By bridging connectivity gaps in India, Dabba enables other projects to expand their footprint in the country, effectively increasing their total addressable market.

Introduction

India’s rapid development has made it the world’s fifth-largest economy, yet connectivity remains a major bottleneck to future growth—with nearly half of the population still offline. At the same time, data consumption per subscriber has doubled since 2019, making India home to some of the highest mobile data usage levels globally.

Despite this surging demand, major telecom providers continue to face mounting debt burdens and a lack of economic incentives to expand into lower-density, less-profitable regions. As a result, digital infrastructure has become highly concentrated in developed urban centers, widening the digital divide and limiting opportunities for millions in rural and underserved urban communities.

To bypass the capital-intensive model of traditional internet service providers, Dabba introduces a DePIN solution that coordinates local and global stakeholders to deploy a decentralized WiFi network capable of meeting India’s connectivity demands. By integrating WiFi hotspots with a blockchain-powered token system, Dabba lowers setup costs through global crowdsourcing and sustains network expansion by incentivizing contributors. This model aims to not only meet the growing demand for high-speed internet in major cities but also drive infrastructure development in underserved areas to help close India’s digital divide.

Background

Dabba Network began in 2016 as an experiment by entrepreneurs Karam Lakshman and Shubhendu Sharma. Frustrated by poor connectivity at their favorite tea shop in Bengaluru, India, they set up a Raspberry Pi-powered hotspot at the location. The unsecured network quickly attracted locals, turning the shop into a community WiFi hub. Recognizing this demand, they founded WiFi Dabba Inc. (Dabba) and began deploying routers across the city.

Throughout the following years, the company scaled its operations across India by deploying hundreds of hotspots in key areas. To fuel further growth, the team started exploring new funding models and pivoted to a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) model.

In November 2023, the transition began with the launch of Dabba Lite hotspot. With this release, global investors can purchase the hotspots and lease them to local network operators, who then deploy them in underserved regions. In return, owners will soon be able to earn DBT token rewards based on data consumption. During the initial rollout, over 1,000 hotspots were reserved globally for deployment in India. By May 2024, a second expansion phase introduced 10,000 additional hotspots for purchase, which have all sold out as of Q1 2025.

Dabba Network currently operates with over 4,500 deployed hotspots serving over 77,000 connected devices. The network handles 50 TB to 60 TB of data transfer per day, with an average daily data transfer of 13 GB per hotspot. Instead of deploying hotspots and then attracting users, Dabba benefits from a demand-driven model where hotspots are only deployed in areas with existing consumer demand. Demand is established in two ways: individuals can request broadband service from LCOs to receive a Dabba Lite hotspot, or LCOs can deploy hotspots to expand service for their existing customers. This approach aims to optimize resource allocation and ensure efficient network expansion.

As of writing, Dabba has raised over $5 million from Y Combinator, Multicoin Capital, Borderless Ventures, Generation Ventures, and private angel investors.

Technology and Products

Dabba Network Stakeholders

Decentralized Wireless (DeWi) networks provide an alternative approach to building and operating internet infrastructure. Unlike traditional Internet Service Providers, which require significant capital and operational expenditures, DeWi networks can crowdsource these costs from local and global stakeholders, who are then rewarded with tokens in exchange for their participation. The Dabba Network applies the DeWi model by functioning as a telecom aggregator that coordinates various stakeholders to provide internet access to data consumers.

The novelty in Dabba’s approach lies in its ability to leverage the capabilities of small, existing companies that might otherwise struggle to compete with major telecom providers. India currently has over 150,000 Local Cable Operators (LCOs), many of whom can provide the necessary infrastructure and expertise to expand internet access but lack the financial resources to scale effectively. Meanwhile, backhaul providers can offer high-speed connectivity from existing fiber optic networks, but often struggle to reach end users in homes, businesses, and remote areas. By integrating these stakeholders into a decentralized marketplace where end users pay to access their services, Dabba can benefit from more cost-efficient network expansion while empowering local businesses.

The primary stakeholders in Dabba Network include:

• Hotspot Owners: buy and lease Dabba Lite hotspots, activating them with Dabba tokens and earning rewards based on data usage.
• Hardware Manufacturers: develop and supply network hardware for deployment, including Dabba Lite, Dabba Pro, and Dabba Laser.
• Local Cable Operators (LCOs): provide last-mile broadband connectivity and maintain network infrastructure within their service area.
• Backhaul Providers: supply internet bandwidth, aggregate demand to reduce costs, and receive token incentives for infrastructure upgrades.
• Location Owners: host Dabba hotspots in homes, businesses, and remote areas, enabling consumers to access WiFi.
• Data Consumers: access broadband services and can earn token-based incentives through network participation.

Dabba Lite Hotspot

Dabba Network uses Dabba Lite hotspots, which are WiFi 6 routers powered by a custom operating system optimized for security and network compatibility. Designed for indoor deployment in residential and small-scale commercial spaces, these devices extend network coverage and provide public internet access in designated areas. Additionally, hotspots can earn multiple token rewards simultaneously by supporting VPN relaying, ad-blocking, and other bandwidth-utilizing tasks that require minimal to moderate computational resources.

Dabba Lite hotspots operate on dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), ensuring low latency and increased network capacity. Wi-Fi 6 technology enhances data speeds and bandwidth efficiency to support video streaming, web browsing, VoIP calls, and other data-intensive applications while maintaining performance across multiple simultaneous connections. The device also incorporates security protocols to protect user data and ensure reliable public Wi-Fi access.

Onboarding Process

Once DBT launches, hotspot owners will be able to spend $100 worth of DBT tokens to begin earning DBT rewards. The onboarding process will be as follows:

1. The hotspot owner will begin by completing KYC verification through the Dabba Explorer Platform. They will then register the device by burning $10 worth of DBT to prove ownership. This action will generate a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) that links the hotspot to the owner’s wallet, ensuring that all future DBT rewards earned by the device are allocated to the owner.
2. After registration, the hotspot owner will select a Local Cable Operator (LCO) from the available providers to install the device at a designated location. The owner will then enter into a seven-year lease agreement, facilitated through the Dabba Network, by paying $70 worth of DBT to cover commissioning costs.
3. Once the device is installed, the LCO will burn $10 worth of DBT to verify deployment before activation. To activate the device, the hotspot owner will then preload the device with $10 worth of DBT to cover the first month of backhaul connectivity.
4. To promote the hotspot’s availability and encourage user adoption, the owner will select a marketing provider and allocate $10 worth of DBT toward advertising efforts aimed at attracting end users.

Layer Zero DePIN

Dabba Network serves as a “Layer Zero DePIN” that provides the foundational physical infrastructure required by other DePINs to operate and scale. To define the different roles within the DePIN ecosystem, Dabba categorizes DePIN layers as follows:

• Layer 0 DePINs: new infrastructure for internet connectivity and data transmission that creates the foundation for other projects to build upon.
• Layer 1 DePINs: hardware plugins that enhance and optimize existing infrastructure.
• Layer 2 DePINs: software-based solutions for decentralized storage, computing, and other digital services.

By deploying last-mile broadband in underserved regions, Dabba also expands opportunities for other DePIN projects to scale and reach new markets. For example, WeatherXM is a decentralized weather data network that leverages Dabba’s infrastructure to reduce deployment barriers in India. This model allows hotspot owners to host multiple DePIN applications on the same hardware, earning additional token rewards without additional hardware.

Tokenomics

The Dabba Token (DBT) will function as the core utility token within the Dabba Network. It is set to launch on Solana in March 2025 and will be used to reward stakeholders for their contributions to the network and incentivize their sustained participation as the ecosystem expands.

DBT’s token model will have both inflationary and deflationary mechanisms. DBT will be minted daily to compensate network contributors, while simultaneously, tokens will be burned through multiple mechanisms, including data consumption, onboarding fees, and other use cases within the ecosystem.

• Hotspot Owners: receive 100% of daily ecosystem rewards but must distribute DBT to other stakeholders to maintain operations. Hotspot attachment and leasing require a DBT stake.
• Local Cable Operators: paid in DBT for installing hotspots and maintaining network uptime. Compensation is performance-based to reward LCOs with higher service reliability. LCOs currently receive fiat payments for deploying hotspots and will begin earning DBT once the token is released.
• Backhaul Providers: earn DBT for providing and maintaining the infrastructure required to deliver bandwidth to LCOs.
• Location Owners: receive DBT for hosting hotspots in high-traffic areas. In addition to DBT, they stand to benefit from increased foot traffic and customer engagement as more individuals are drawn to the location for internet access.
• Hardware Manufacturers: earn DBT for creating, maintaining, and upgrading hotspot devices within the network.

Consumers connect to Dabba hotspots and access the internet by purchasing Data Credits from WiFi Dabba Inc. in Indian Rupees at a cost equivalent to $0.012 per gigabyte. For every offchain payment received for Data Credits, WiFi Dabba Inc. will acquire an equivalent value of DBT tokens and permanently remove them from circulation through a burn mechanism. This process will aim to ensure that data pricing remains stable for consumers and creates ongoing demand for DBT as network adoption grows.

DBT Allocation and Vesting Schedule

DBT will have a maximum total supply of 10 billion tokens. Of this amount, 40% will be allocated to WiFi Dabba Inc., the Dabba Foundation, and institutional investors. At launch, 10% of the tokens allocated toward WiFi Dabba Inc. will be unlocked. After the event, all remaining WiFi Dabba Inc. tokens will follow a two-year lock-up period and then a 24-month linear vesting schedule.

The remaining six billion DBT will be distributed to network stakeholders over a 50-year period following the token genesis event, aiming to ensure sustainable incentives for network participants. In the first year, 600 million DBT will be emitted, with annual emissions decreasing by 10% each subsequent year.

The full token allocation is as follows:

• 36.00% to Hotspot Owners (3.60 billion DBT)
• 18.00% to WiFi Dabba Inc. (1.80 billion DBT)
• 18.00% to Local Cable Operators (1.80 billion DBT)
• 13.54% to the Dabba Foundation (1.35 billion DBT)
• 8.46% to Investors (845.60 million DBT)
• 3.00% to Backhaul Providers (300.00 million DBT)
• 2.40% to Location Owners (240.00 million DBT)
• 0.60% to Hotspot Manufacturers (60.00 million DBT)

Genesis Period Rewards

As of this writing, over 11,000 Dabba Lite hotspots have been purchased in over 50 countries since they became available for sale in November 2023. Hotspot owners who bought their devices between the launch date and the end of February 2025 have been earning daily genesis rewards. This model was discontinued on Feb. 28, 2025 and additional bonuses were announced based on the following purchase timelines:

• May 21, 2024 – Aug. 30, 2024: 3,000 DBT bonus per deployed hotspot.
• Sept. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025: DBT bonuses ensuring a total Genesis Reward of 20,000 DBT per activated hotspot.

DBT tokens will follow a lock-up schedule and be gradually minted alongside data consumption rewards once the token launches. Following the token genesis event, hotspot owners will be able to activate and deploy their hotspots, upon which they will begin allocating a portion of their DBT daily earnings to other stakeholders for contributing to the network.

Network Usage

The Dabba Explorer

The Dabba Explorer provides insights into network performance, financial rewards, and infrastructure deployment. It serves as a central hub for tracking hotspot activity, token interactions, and network expansion, ensuring network data is accessible and measurable.

Hotspot Maps

The Dabba Explorer includes an interactive map displaying hotspot deployment locations and ownership distribution in India. It also features a dedicated ownership map showing estimated hotspot owners’ locations based on shipping and billing address data provided during hotspot purchases, displaying the global distribution of hotspot owners without exposing sensitive information.

Key Metrics and Analytics

The explorer features multiple metrics for analyzing network performance, such as the total number of hotspots deployed, connected devices, tokens rewarded, tokens burned, and more. It also includes maps for tracking weekly metrics, including:

• Network uptime
• Connected Devices
• Value of purchased data credits
• Bandwidth consumption trends
• Average uptime of hotspot devices in the Network
• Devices connected Value of Data Credits
• Top hotspots by data consumption and performance overviews

Through these metrics, the Dabba Explorer aims to provide a transparent overview for network stakeholders and potential hotspot buyers to gauge network activity and expansion as it matures.

Local Cable Operator Analytics

Hotspot owners can use the Dabba Explorer to analyze and compare LCOs based on deployment and operational metrics. This provides a comparative analysis to help hotspot owners make data-driven decisions when selecting an LCO for hotspot deployment. Core metrics include:

• Existing deployment locations of each LCO.
• Total active device connections per operator, using pseudonym identifiers to protect privacy.
• Average installation times to evaluate efficiency.
• Average uptime performance to assess service reliability.

Roadmap & Partnerships

As the network scales, Dabba plans to expand to other emerging markets to meet the needs of additional underserved regions. Additionally, the project’s GitBook outlines several key areas of future infrastructure and ecosystem development:

Roadmap

Telecom Integration

In the future, Dabba Network aims to serve as a neutral offload host for telecom providers to reduce their network congestion and lower associated costs.

Dabba Pro Hotspot

Dabba Pro will be a premium hotspot device designed for enhanced network performance, dApp support, and IoT automation. Unlike Dabba Lite, which focuses on basic private WiFi access, Dabba Pro will offer higher-capacity connectivity and optimized data throughput for more demanding applications.

Through a Home Assistant integration, the Dabba Pro will enable users to automate and manage IoT devices. This will expand its functionality beyond internet access into smart home and industrial automation.

Developer Ecosystem and dApp Store

To support dApp deployment and management, Dabba is building a developer ecosystem centered around the upcoming Dabba Developer Network and a community-operated dApp Store. These platforms will provide infrastructure for dApp creation and allow developers to publish and maintain applications using DBT tokens.

Dabba Pro hotspot owners will have full control over which dApps run on their devices, allowing for a customizable experience. To accelerate adoption, the Dabba Foundation plans to launch a developer program by the end of 2025 that will offer resources and incentives for dApp development.

Dabba Laser

Dabba is developing the Dabba Laser, a high-speed optical backhaul system designed to deliver fiber-like speeds using laser-based wireless transmission. Each Dabba Laser unit is designed to cover distances of up to five kilometers with a projected throughput of 10 Gbps, outperforming traditional wireless backhaul solutions. Additionally, the Dabba Laser will also feature an AI-alignment mechanism to maintain accurate alignment between laser transmitters and receivers.

Once released, the Dabba Laser will be installed across urban rooftops and high-rise structures to complement existing backhaul providers and eliminate the need for digging and laying new underground fiber-optic cables.

DBT Staking

Once DBT has been launched, Dabba will implement a staking mechanism that will allow users to lock DBT tokens to earn rewards. This system aims to reduce token circulation and incentivize long-term contributions to the network.

The Dabba Explorer Wallet

Also following the launch of DBT, the Dabba explorer will offer an embedded wallet, enabling hotspot owners to use prepaid stores for transferring DBT to other stakeholders in the network. If the owner fails to maintain a sufficient balance, rewards will be paused, and late fees or eventual lease termination may occur.

Partnerships

As the Dabba Network continues to mature, Dabba plans to collaborate with various companies and protocols to scale its infrastructure. As of Q1 2025, Dabba has already secured two partnerships:

• Animoca Brands Japan: Dabba has partnered with Animoca Brands Japan to drive the adoption of Dabba Lite Wi-Fi hotspots in Japan. Through this collaboration, Japanese residents can access tiered discounts for bulk purchases of Dabba Lite hotspots. Looking ahead, the partnership plans to introduce “Dabba Quests,” which are expected to provide opportunities to earn DBT rewards.
• WeatherXM: Dabba has partnered with WeatherXM to facilitate the deployment of over 800 WeatherXM weather stations across India. As part of this collaboration, Dabba hotspot owners provide the necessary infrastructure to support WeatherXM’s network and receive WXM rewards in return.

Closing Summary

Dabba is developing a DePIN marketplace through its Dabba Network to expand internet access in India. By leveraging DBT incentives to coordinate local and global stakeholders, the network seeks to address scalability challenges faced by traditional telecom providers. With over 11,000 Dabba Lite hotspots sold ahead of its token genesis event and nearly 75,000 connected devices, it has already demonstrated early adoption and demand.

As a Layer Zero DePIN, Dabba Network has facilitated the deployment of over 800 WeatherXM stations in India and has the capacity to support additional decentralized infrastructure projects. As the network scales, it is positioned to help bridge connectivity gaps in India and expand its model to other emerging markets.

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