Andrew Yang launches mobile network to combat phone addiction, talks shutdown and 2028 Democratic primary

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — As the political showdown over the federal government shutdown intensifies in Washington with a Senate stalemate and no sign of either party giving in, former Presidential candidate and entrepreneur Andrew Yang joined ABC7 News at 3 p.m. on Wednesday with anchor Kristen Sze, and discussed the nation’s political polarization, how Democrats can win in 2028 and his new venture, Noble Mobile, a wireless carrier that pays you back for using less data.

Yang says there are no winners in the Washington blame game over the shutdown, which will mean hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers, and many more working without pay, at least temporarily. Asked about growing polarization, where Americans increasingly view opposing party members negatively, Yang urged empathy, dialogue, and support for third parties such as the Forward Party he founded, which champions reforms like ranked choice voting.

Now an independent, Yang draws from his 2020 presidential run as a Democrat and encourages the party to strategically consolidate around a few candidates who can unite the party early to strengthen their hopes for recapturing the White House in 2028. Yang suggests moving up the primary by months, to give the nominee a better chance.

Yang is also going back to his entrepreneurial roots and has just launched a new wireless carrier that leases network access from T-Mobile and resells wireless service using a unique pricing and rewards model. Unlike traditional carriers, Noble Mobile offers a flat $50 monthly rate with cash-back rewards if usage stays below 20GB, encouraging mindful connectivity and discouraging mindless doomscrolling. True savings depend on individual usage pattern, but Yang believes the behavioral incentive reflects the need for ethical technology right now.

Reflecting on the tech boom we’re seeing in Silicon Valley fueled by artificial intelligence, Yang revisited his prescient concerns from 2019 about AI’s impact on jobs and wealth concentration. He cautioned that while AI drives economic growth, without smarter tax policies and regulations, the benefits may not reach the public.

Watch the full interview in the media player above.