What are Mesh Networks?

Wireless mesh networks are a form of distributed networking where all participants in a network can both send and receive messages. They can be used to create a large area of connectivity much more quickly and effectively than standing up a traditional wired network. For smartphones, this means that one phone could relay messages through a nearby phone to send messages to the rest of the network. This is different from the regular functioning of cell phones, as they normally connect to cellular towers that may be miles away using spectrum that is optimal for long distances. Most mesh network projects that exist today are not allowed to make use of this optimal licensed spectrum as they are owned by carriers.

Many mesh network projects exist today, but all require additional hardware, apps, or the use of frequencies (like Bluetooth and WiFi) that do not do a good job at sending messages very far. In an emergency, the last thing you should be concerned with is trying to download and register a new app, finding extra hardware, or figuring out which emergency WiFi to connect to.

At its core, the HALP protocol is a set of widely accepted standards which utilize a small sliver of licensed spectrum to create a mesh network for emergency communications. This ensures that if those primary networks go offline, or if someone cannot connect to them for some reason, they can at least use those frequencies to beacon out a call for help.