A mesh network is a way for devices to communicate without depending on a single central hub. Instead of everything connecting to one router, tower, or server, each device can talk to nearby devices and pass messages along for others. Every node participates in keeping the network alive, not just in using it.

Because messages can travel through many possible paths, the network doesn’t fall apart if one device drops off. If a route disappears, the message simply finds another way through the remaining nodes. This makes mesh networks resilient in situations where infrastructure is unreliable, damaged, or intentionally restricted.

Communication usually starts locally. Devices talk to the closest peers first, and longer-distance messages move hop by hop until they reach their destination. This means mesh networks often trade speed and efficiency for durability and independence. They are rarely the fastest option, but they are hard to kill.

The important idea is that the network gets stronger as more people join. Each new node adds coverage and redundancy instead of becoming a bottleneck. Rather than consuming connectivity from a provider, participants collectively create it. That’s why mesh networks are attractive for off-grid communication, disaster response, community networks, and situations where control and resilience matter more than raw performance.