" Now how to build a mesh relay network that doesn't rely on ISPs in order to connect 🤔... " If you want something that closely resembles the internet as it is today, then you can't. Neither in terms of reach (global), nor bandwidth. The amount of infrastructure out there in terms of viber cables and specialized network servers is beyond non-trivial. Its like saying ''how can we dig this massive hole without any industrial machines'', while all you have access to is a spoon. This was partly a choice though, they could have laid redundant interconnected fiber instead of the hub-and-spoke stuff we have now, atleast in certain areas like for instance here in the Netherlands. This country by itself could have bascially been one giant super computer as a result. There even were voices at the time (late 90s) to do this, but alas. I don't think the pipes are that much of a problem though, but yes i tend to agree with your assessment of what the angle is in terms of banning the open models and maffia protection money the rest of the world.