[johnr2]

> they have demonstrated wideband microwave mesh networking with off the shelf hardware.

That's academic if you don't happen to be close to a suitably stocked shelf in an emergency situation. As has been pointed out in other posts, simple analog gear can be improvised using basic and easily obtained components.

The current fashion for getting rid of low-tech backups for important infrastructure reminds me of the Titanic: the ship is "unsinkable" so why not get rid of most of the lifeboats?