Emergency mesh for London
London already has an active MeshCore mesh network with repeaters across the city. Help strengthen coverage in your borough — every new node makes the network more resilient.
Emergency communication that keeps London connected
London is home to nearly nine million people, packed into one of the most densely connected cities on earth — yet that connectivity depends almost entirely on centralised infrastructure. A single fibre cut near Docklands, a substation failure in South London, or a cyberattack on a mobile operator could leave entire boroughs without communication. During the 2022 heatwave, infrastructure strain caused widespread service disruption across the city.
That's why volunteers across London have already started building an alternative. The MeshCore mesh network is active in the capital, with repeaters relaying messages without mobile masts, internet, or mains power. London's dense population and growing number of participants make it one of the strongest mesh networks in the UK — but there's room for many more nodes. Every new device and repeater fills gaps and extends coverage into streets and boroughs that aren't yet reached.
London's terrain gives the mesh a natural advantage
Population density is an advantage
With around 5,700 people per square kilometre, London is ideal for mesh networking. Dense housing means short distances between nodes, allowing messages to hop reliably across neighbourhoods — from terraced streets in Brixton to tower blocks in Stratford. More participants in a small area means stronger, more redundant coverage.
Thames corridor line of sight
The relatively flat Thames corridor from Richmond to Dartford offers excellent radio propagation. Repeaters at elevation near Greenwich or Shooters Hill already provide line-of-sight coverage across miles of riverside boroughs. Additional nodes along both banks can link up neighbourhoods that currently sit just outside reach.
Flood zones and infrastructure risk
Parts of London sit within the Thames tidal flood plain. The Thames Barrier has closed with increasing frequency, and areas like Thamesmead, Deptford Creek, and Hammersmith face real flood risk. The existing mesh network offers a communication layer that doesn't depend on mains electricity or underground cables — and expanding coverage in these flood-risk zones makes the network more valuable for everyone.
Urban resilience across 32 boroughs
London's borough structure means emergency planning often happens at a local level. The MeshCore network lets communities in Lewisham, Tower Hamlets, or Ealing strengthen their own neighbourhood communication layer that connects outward to the wider city mesh — borough by borough, street by street.
How messages travel across London's mesh
MeshCore uses licence-free 868 MHz LoRa radio to transmit messages between small, battery-powered devices. Each device acts as a node in a mesh network — messages hop from device to device until they reach their destination. No SIM card, no Wi-Fi, no base station. In a city like London, where buildings, hills, and the Thames create varied terrain, the network of volunteer-run repeaters at elevation bridges neighbourhoods together across the capital.
You pair a compact LoRa device (from around £25) with your smartphone via Bluetooth and use a free app to send encrypted text messages. Volunteer-run repeaters — some solar-powered, mounted on rooftops or in windows — keep the network running. The more Londoners who join, the stronger and more reliable the mesh becomes. Learn more about how mesh networks work.
London borough by borough
South East London — Greenwich, Woolwich & Bexley
The elevated terrain around Shooters Hill and Oxleas Wood provides commanding views across the Thames basin. Additional solar repeaters here could extend coverage from Eltham to Abbey Wood, including the Thamesmead estate — one of London's largest housing developments and a flood-risk area where backup communication matters most.
East London — Hackney, Stratford & Barking
The Olympic Park area and the Lea Valley corridor offer open sightlines through a rapidly growing part of London. High-rise developments in Stratford and the flat marshlands toward Barking Reach make this corridor well-suited for expanding mesh coverage. More repeaters on taller buildings could link communities from Victoria Park down to the Thames Barrier.
North London — Camden, Islington & Haringey
The ridge running from Hampstead Heath through Highgate to Alexandra Palace is one of the highest points in London. Ally Pally itself sits at 100 metres above sea level — repeaters at this elevation can provide coverage spanning from Finsbury Park to Muswell Hill, with reach toward the City and Docklands on a clear day. More nodes along this ridge would strengthen north London coverage significantly.
South West London — Wandsworth, Kingston & Richmond
Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common provide rare open green spaces in the London mesh landscape. The elevated ground at Richmond Hill overlooks the Thames bend toward Twickenham and Kew. Communities in Putney, Roehampton, and Kingston can benefit from additional repeaters positioned along this green corridor that stretches from Richmond to Wimbledon.
When London's infrastructure fails — real scenarios
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Power cuts across the grid — London experienced over 30 significant power outages in 2023. During the August 2019 blackout, over a million people lost power across the capital. A MeshCore device with its own battery keeps you connected when the lights go out.
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Mobile network congestion at events — From Notting Hill Carnival to New Year's Eve on the Embankment, London's mobile networks regularly buckle under the weight of hundreds of thousands of simultaneous users. MeshCore operates on its own frequency band, completely unaffected by mobile network congestion.
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Underground and dead-spot communication — Despite recent improvements, large parts of the Tube network and many basement flats across London still have no mobile coverage. A MeshCore device relays messages at street level and above, bridging the gap for people living or working in signal black spots.
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Thames flooding and tidal surge events — The Environment Agency identifies over 100,000 London properties in flood risk zones. During a tidal surge or prolonged heavy rainfall, flooded substations can knock out communication infrastructure before the water itself reaches homes. MeshCore provides a communication layer that's independent of mains power and fixed-line infrastructure.
Join London's mesh network in three steps
Get a LoRa device
Pick up a MeshCore-compatible radio device from around £25. Browse our device guide to find one that fits your needs — from pocket-sized nodes to solar-powered repeaters for your balcony or rooftop.
Flash and pair
Install the MeshCore firmware (or buy a pre-flashed device) and pair it with your smartphone via Bluetooth. The whole setup takes about ten minutes. Our step-by-step guide walks you through it.
Expand coverage in your area
Once active, your device joins the existing London mesh network. Place it near a window or on a high shelf for best range. Consider running a repeater — even a small solar unit in a south-facing window helps fill coverage gaps and reach more of your neighbours.
London MeshCore — your questions answered
What makes MeshCore useful for emergency preparedness in London?
London relies heavily on centralised telecoms infrastructure. MeshCore is designed to operate without mobile masts, internet, or mains power — making it a useful preparedness tool for scenarios like widespread blackouts, flooding, or network congestion. It's not a replacement for 999, but it adds a communication layer that doesn't depend on the same infrastructure as your phone.
How much range can I expect in London?
In dense urban areas like central London, expect around 500 metres to 2 kilometres between nodes, depending on building density and elevation. With a repeater at height — on a rooftop or upper floor — range increases significantly. Across the Thames corridor or from elevated points like Hampstead Heath, line-of-sight links of 5 kilometres or more are achievable.
Is MeshCore legal to use in London?
Yes. MeshCore uses the 868 MHz ISM band, which is licence-free under Ofcom regulations in the UK. No licence, no registration, no ongoing fees. You buy a device and you're ready to go.
London's mesh network needs you
The network is live and growing. Whether you're in a tower block in Tower Hamlets or a semi in Sutton, adding your device expands coverage for your neighbours and your borough. Devices start from around £25 — no subscriptions, no ongoing costs.