Long range (LoRa) mesh networks are interesting alternatives to communication, especially when state actors are blocking internet access for various reasons.
More details about meshtastic: https://meshtastic.org/
About its current state of encryption: https://meshtastic.org/docs/overview/encryption
I’ve done my little stupid tests. I have 2 Heltec LoRa 32 V3s both with the stock antenna. Inside the city I can get 500m on LongFast and 700m on VeryLongSlow. The other node was placed inside a building on the 1st floor.
But that’s obviously a terrible test.