Mesh Networking
10Deployments and guides that use decentralized WiFi or radio mesh networks for community communication.
Case Studies— 5
Ukraine: Civilian Communication Networks Under Infrastructure Attack
How Starlink, civilian mesh networks, and amateur radio combined to maintain communication across Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion, and what it reveals about resilience under deliberate attack.
Ukraine2022NYC Mesh: Community Internet Infrastructure
How a volunteer-run WiFi mesh network grew to ~1,000 nodes across New York City, providing resilient internet access and demonstrating what community-owned infrastructure can sustain over a decade.
New York City, New York2014Red Hook, Brooklyn: Community Mesh After Hurricane Sandy
How a partially-deployed WiFi mesh network helped Red Hook survive Sandy, and why a community-owned network built before the disaster proved more valuable than anything deployed after.
Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York2012Guifi.net: Europe's Largest Community Network
How a farmer in rural Catalonia who couldn't get broadband built a community network that grew to 35,000 nodes, and the governance model that made it sustainable for two decades.
Catalonia, Spain2004Freifunk: Germany's Open Wireless Movement and the Refugee Crisis Response
How Germany's decentralized volunteer mesh network, built over a decade for open urban internet access, was rapidly mobilized to provide connectivity in hundreds of refugee shelters in 2015.
Germany2003
Playbooks— 5
Emergency Response Group Activation
Your community has experienced a disaster. Infrastructure is degraded. This playbook walks you through activating your communication network hour by hour: from personal safety to sustained multi-day operations.
Any — assumes pre-positioned equipment and trained peopleMid-Size City Communication Network
Build a city-wide resilient communication network for 5,000–100,000 residents. A phased approach through stakeholder mapping, AREDN backbone deployment, and community distribution.
5,000–100,000 residentsVolunteer Organization Communication Network
Build a resilient communication system for 20–200 member volunteer organizations — search and rescue teams, CERT groups, mutual aid networks, and disaster relief organizations.
20–200 membersSmall Town Communication Network
Build a town-wide radio and mesh network for 500–5,000 residents in 3–6 months. Build on existing amateur radio clubs, install repeater infrastructure, and establish anchor points at key community facilities.
500–5,000 residentsNeighborhood Communication Network
Build a two-way radio and mesh text network for 50–500 households in 4–12 weeks. Start with GMRS licensing, add Meshtastic nodes, and create a communication plan your neighbors can actually follow.
50–500 households