Is it possible to create a mesh network using Wi-Fi ad-hoc mode on mobile phones to circumvent internet "outages"?

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This is inspired by recent incidents where governments block their citizens' access to the internet.

What I am suggesting is:

  • having an Android/iPhone app that can enable a mesh-network
  • it would not depend on internet servers to communicate
  • functionality would be something like private/public chat and message boards
  • encrypted delivery of packets, so they are harder to intercept

The question is:

  1. Is the networking bit even technically feasible? (Google say Android doesn't support Wi-Fi ad-hoc mode which seems like a possible way to do it)
  2. Does something like it exist already?
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