We've used mesh networking during Gezi[0]. But I don't think most people would understand how to use this or will have it installed in case of a general ban[1].
> But I don't think most people would understand how to use this or will have it installed in case of a general ban
Years ago we would have said the same thing about internet access. 'How could the internet (or mobile data) help in emergency or oppression situations ? Only geeks would have such a thing. ' (1990s)
[0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_protests_in_Turkey
[1] People started using VPN's and most people knows what DNS is now. So, there is hope.