When the grid goes dark: Meshtastic for resilient networks
The 2025 Iberian blackout showed how fragile our connected world is. When the power fails, the communication networks we rely on can go silent in a blink of an eye. There’s an ongoing discussion about resilient networks for such cases. LoRa Meshtastic seems like a strong fit for these scenarios.
When Spain and Portugal's power grids failed in April 2025, millions lost communication for hours — a stark reminder of how vulnerable our connected infrastructure really is. Meshtastic, an open-source mesh network protocol using affordable LoRa radios, offers a backup solution that works without cell towers or internet, letting devices communicate directly across long distances. With over 2,000 nodes tested at events like DEF CON and growing adoption worldwide, it's becoming a practical tool for emergency coordination, off-grid operations, and resilient communication.
When the grid goes dark
April 28, 2025. At 12:33 CEST, mainland Portugal and peninsular Spain went dark. Airports shut down. Hospitals switched to backup power. Mobile networks fell silent. For ten hours, millions were cut off.
The blackout revealed how fragile our connected world is. When the power fails, everything else follows.
The incident sparked urgent discussions about backup communication systems. Among the solutions gaining attention is Meshtastic, an open-source mesh network protocol that works without cell towers or internet.
What Meshtastic actually does
Meshtastic creates off-grid communication networks using LoRa radios. Devices talk to each other directly, forming a web of connections. No cell towers, no internet service providers needed.
Hardware costs range from $30-50 for basic boards to under $100 for complete kits. Messages can travel 1-2 miles in urban areas, or 12-15 miles with elevated nodes and better antennas. It's not meant for streaming video or browsing the web. Instead, it handles text messages, GPS coordinates, and basic data.
Growing fast, staying simple
Thousands of active Meshtastic nodes are currently operating worldwide, with strong communities in the United States, Germany, and France. The protocol has become the leading open-source, off-grid mesh communications solution by 2025.
What's driving this growth? Three factors stand out:
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Low barrier to entry
No monthly fees. No licenses required in most regions. Popular hardware like the LILYGO T-Beam boards starts around $30.
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Standalone operation
New devices with built-in displays and keyboards can send messages without connecting to a phone. The Meshtastic UI (MUI), released in early 2025 after 1.5 years of development, brings touchscreen functionality to compatible devices. This 12,000-line interface, now ported to over 10 devices and translated into 18 languages, makes the technology accessible beyond the radio enthusiast community.
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Real-world testing
The protocol has been stress-tested at large events. At DEF CON, specialized firmware enabled over 2,000 individual nodes to operate simultaneously — the largest known Meshtastic network to date.
Where it makes sense
Emergency coordination tops the list. When traditional networks fail, Meshtastic can keep rescue teams connected. Communities in areas prone to power outages or natural disasters are building permanent mesh networks as backup systems.
Beyond emergencies, the protocol serves farmers monitoring remote equipment, businesses needing local secure communication, and outdoor enthusiasts staying connected in areas without cell coverage.
More experimental uses include enabling payment terminals to process local transactions during outages and sharing critical information across long distances without draining batteries.
Business case
For industries operating in remote locations, Meshtastic offers a cost-effective alternative to satellite communications or cellular IoT. Agriculture, environmental monitoring, and logistics companies are testing deployments.
With global IoT device connections reaching over 20 billion in 2025 and projected to hit 39 billion by 2030, mesh-based solutions fill a specific gap: resilient communication where infrastructure is limited or unreliable.
The technology isn't meant to replace cellular networks. It serves as a backup layer and operates in niches where traditional connectivity fails or becomes too expensive.
Technical reality check
Meshtastic has limitations. It can't handle high data volumes. Network performance degrades with too many active users in one area. The system requires line-of-sight between devices, so buildings and terrain create dead zones.
Battery life varies widely depending on configuration. Devices with GPS and screens drain faster. Solar-powered nodes designed for permanent installation can run indefinitely.
Security comes through encryption, though the protocol's broadcast nature means determined attackers could monitor network traffic. For sensitive communications, additional security layers are needed.
Community-driven development
Meshtastic thrives on grassroots, DIY communities. Radio enthusiasts, preppers, tech hobbyists, and outdoor adventurers have built local mesh networks across major cities and rural areas.
Public mesh maps show nodes spreading across Europe and North America. These visualizations only capture devices that share their location publicly — many private networks operate invisibly, serving businesses, farms, and communities that value privacy.
The open-source nature means constant improvement. Developers worldwide contribute better routing algorithms, enhanced user interfaces, and support for new hardware platforms. This collaborative approach accelerates innovation faster than most commercial alternatives.
Market outlook
The protocol benefits from two trends: rising interest in infrastructure-independent communication and growing concerns about network resilience. Governments investing in grid security and emergency preparedness are taking notice.
Recent updates include better routing algorithms, enhanced user interfaces like MUI, and support for more hardware platforms. The shift from purely DIY projects to ready-to-use commercial devices could accelerate adoption in professional settings.
Hardware manufacturers are entering the space with plug-and-play solutions. This makes deployment easier for organizations without technical expertise.
What's next
The April 2025 Iberian blackout won't be the last major infrastructure failure. Climate change, aging power grids, and geopolitical tensions all point to more disruptions ahead.
Meshtastic won't solve these problems. But it offers one piece of a larger resilience strategy: a way to keep basic communication running when everything else stops.
For organizations and communities serious about preparedness, that capability is worth having in place before it's needed.
