I've often thought it would be fun to spec out a low-power mesh network protocol for backcountry communication[0] (safety, sharing GPS coordinates, texting). Basically anyone could place waterproof radios with solar panels wherever. You can share the coordinates like a geocache, and if someone gets close enough they can connect with bluetooth to join the network. If a node goes down anyone could repair it. Obviously the network would be very susceptible to abuse/jamming/vandalism, but maybe like wikipedia there would be more people motivated to keep it working than destroy it.

Anyway, maybe Starlink will leapfrog this dream.

[0]: Kind of like https://gotenna.com/ but with an open protocol and static nodes.