goTenna Mesh is the first 100% off-grid, mobile, long-range consumer-ready mesh network. The device pairs with smartphones to enable communication among users without any reliance on cell towers, wifi routers, or satellites. Additionally, goTenna Mesh intelligently enables automatic message relay, effectively doubling or tripling any device's effective range, creating a network which actually gets stronger the more people join it.

goTenna Mesh works absolutely anywhere on earth, provided there is at least one other goTenna Mesh device in range. Whether you are traveling overseas, spending time outdoors, at a crowded event, or preparing for an emergency, goTenna Mesh provides incredible utility in any situation where cell service or wifi is not available by empowering you to create essential connectivity during any adventure.

goTenna Mesh pairs wirelessly to iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth-LE (Low Energy, 4.2). The device sends messages via a 1-watt UHF radio transmitter without relying on towers, routers or satellites. Point-to-point range will usually be up to 3 miles (4.8 km) in open terrain, and up to a mile (1.6 km) in congested terrain. Of course, range can be doubled or even tripled by relaying messages through other users nearby.

goTenna Mesh enables you to intelligently relay your messages through other users to get to your recipient(s) when they are out of point-to-point range. This makes it more likely your messages will get through in difficult situations, and creates a network that gets stronger the more people join it. And not to worry: this all happens automatically and privately.

In addition, goTenna Mesh offers many features walkie-talkies cannot, including message delivery confirmation, the ability to create private groups and 1-to-1 chats, and the ability to share GPS locations on free, detailed offline maps. Plus: You never have to worry about channels or interference!

You can chat with any other goTenna Mesh user within range. The reason you can't chat with people who don't have goTenna Mesh is due to the physics of radio waves. You need a properly designed RF receiver to interpret a goTenna Mesh signal. We would love to have our signals get to devices that aren't goTenna-enabled, but phones are designed to work with towers and wifi — exactly what we are working around — and regular radios aren't able to operate at the level of our super-smart networking protocols. We should also point out that goTenna Mesh devices will not be interoperable with regular goTenna devices because they operate on different frequencies.

With that said, the goTenna Plus app upgrade enables a network relay feature, so you can reach people beyond your off-grid network. If a goTenna Mesh user nearby has cell service, they can transmit your message via SMS to your intended recipient.

The short answer is that, yes, it can!

The longer answer is that any powered-on goTenna Mesh device can receive and relay messages and location data. The information going through the relaying device can only be decrypted by the end recipient. In order to actually receive, interpret and view messages or location data, a user must have a smartphone paired with a goTenna Mesh.

This enables users to strategically place goTenna Meshes between members of their parties, which can function as stationary relay points to increase range. In other words, if two users have four goTenna Meshes, two of those devices can be used solely as relay points, effectively tripling overall range:

User A — User B
User A — Relay — Relay — User B

Because goTenna Mesh has a standard micro-USB, you could leave the device paired to a solar charger or some other power source on its own.

goTenna Mesh devices will not be interoperable with our first-gen goTenna devices (which are only available for sale in the U.S.) because they operate on different frequencies. We would have loved to enable interoperability but that's physically and legally impossible due to regulatory restrictions which prohibit meshing on the first-gen product's frequencies. So it really comes down to both the laws of communications regulators, and the laws of physics!

The first-gen goTenna works on the 151-154MHz band (MURS), whereas goTenna Mesh will transmit at 1 W on 902-928 MHz in the United States, and will vary throughout other countries. For example: goTenna Mesh will transmit at 0.5 W on 869.4-869.65 MHz in the EU, and the device will auto-tune itself to the appropriate frequency band and power output based on the location where it's being used.

With goTenna Mesh, you can send text messages up to 160 characters (just like on your phone) as well as share GPS locations on free, detailed offline maps. We also support the use of emojis.

Nope! This is a network you use on your own terms .There are no required subscriptions or fees Once you have your device(s), you can message and share your location with any goTenna Mesh users in range as much as you like! You can also download an unlimited number of offline maps for free. If you’d like access to certain premium features you can opt into goTenna Plus which is totally optional and available for a very low annual fee.