User:Kentuckyfriedtucker/sandbox
REALLY is an American telecommunications company, with headquarters in Austin, Texas. The company is a fully-encrypted and privacy focused wireless mobile network, powered by REALLY DeWi and T-Mobile. REALLY also offers security tools, anonymizing user data without storing any information.
History
[edit]REALLY was founded by Adam Lyons, who also founded The Zebra, in 2022.[1][2] It was launched as a compare-and-switch service, allowing users to compare 56 different carriers and 379 mobile plans.[1][3][4][5]
In February 2023, REALLY secured $18 million in funding, led by Polychain Capital and Mike Maples Jr.[3][4][6] According to Crunchbase and The New York Times, this was the largest telecommunications seed round in United States history.[4][6][2][7] The company planned to use funding to develop REALLY Wireless, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service which provides security, privacy, speed, and coverage.[3]
In September 2023, the company partnered with T-Mobile to accelerate the nationwide availability of their phone service. This allowed members to “roam seamlessly” between both networks, providing expanded coverage.[1][2]
REALLY is built on a “DeWi” network of small wireless towers, drawing on an individual user’s internet connection to provide service. Tower owners are compensated by the company, with REALLY handling all equipment installation.[1][7] Lyons has stated: “With decentralized wireless [DeWi], the idea is that the community itself can create cell coverage.[7] Under REALLY Limitless, anticipated to launch in 2024, hosts receive monetary compensation as well as a free phone plan for sharing their broadband. Radios range 2.5 x 1 by 1 ft in diameter.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Linda Hardesty (September 21, 2023). "Distributed wireless company REALLY strikes deal with T-Mobile". Fierce Network. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Sarah Lynch (September 21, 2023). "This Serial Entrepreneur Struck a Key Deal to Scale Up. Here Are His Tips for Achieving Fast Growth". Inc. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Abel Rodriguez (February 28, 2023). "Adam Lyons' REALLY Raises $18M for Decentralized Mobile Network". Built In Austin. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Brent Wistrom (February 28, 2023). "Adam Lyons' new startup, blockchain phone network Really, raised $18M". Austin Business Journal. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ Laura Lorek (March 4, 2023). "TheZebra.com's Founder Adam Lyons Launches REALLY, a Mobile Phone Service with $18 Million in Funding". Silicon. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Michael Agresta (January 22, 2024). "An Austin Start-up's (Expensive) Plan to Transform the Wireless Business". Texas Monthly. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Andrew Ross Sorkin; Ravi Mattu; Bernhard Warner; Sarah Kessler; Michael J. de la Merced; Lauren Hirsch; Ephrat Livni (February 28, 2023). "Reshaping Corporate America With Billions in Giveaways". Retrieved July 13, 2024.