<p><a href="http://bitcoincard.org/" rel="nofollow" title="Bitcoincard">Bitcoincard</a> will use mesh radio network, but still, the transactions will be propagated to internet at first opportunity. However, one bitcoincard gateway with working internet access in whole city/neighborhood should be sufficient to prevent network forks.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-04T20:17:35.340Z
Bitcoincard offers some very exciting possibilities. Thanks for adding it.
Gary
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-03T17:27:38.417Z
2012-07-03T17:27:38.417Z
Juraj
<p>You can technically run appropriately modified Bitcoin on any sort of network of communication, be it LAN, mesh, or otherwise. One could imagine making a mesh network on Zigbee or Bluetooth and allow anyone to connect to those without the Internet, although then the network latency would be way bigger and the Bitcoin network could easily become forked. Preferably there would be at least one proxy server running both on the internet (be it through wires or cellular) and on the distributed network.</p>

<p>If you want to make payments without using the internet, use physical coins, simple as that. It is far safer than making a new internet-less network. The only way you can lose in this way is if the Bitcoin value would plummet.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-08T15:49:47.573Z
Except for the fact that physical coins can be counterfeited.
nmat
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-08T16:14:19.273Z
Well, yes, but the Bluetooth network could probably loose connection to the main Bitcoin network easier, than someone counterfeiting the coins.
ThePiachu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-09T03:49:47.680Z
If someone knows *exactly* how much bandwidth Bitcoin uses offhand, I think it would be interesting to connect a client via [AMPRNet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMPRNet) - even if only as a proof of concept. It'd have to be very minimal (perhaps a selfish client?) bandwidth though, since AMPRNet maxes out at 9600 baud...
David Perry
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-09T13:22:31.160Z
There is also [DASH7](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DASH7) which offers some interesting research opportunities
Gary
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-08T15:43:24.253Z
2012-06-26T23:09:34.743Z
2012-06-26T23:09:34.743Z
ThePiachu
<p>Is it possible to run Bitcoin mining and transaction distribution without using the internet? </p>

<p>For example, how would Bitcoin continue in the event of a total clampdown by a telco?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-05T03:21:58.330Z
Keep in mind that there is a difference between an individual or region not being able to make a spend transaction and be current with the blockchain versus Bitcoin network being vulnerable to regional disruptions.
Stephen Gornick
<weaknesses>
Does Bitcoin rely on the internet?
Gary
# Does Bitcoin rely on the internet?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-12-08)

Is it possible to run Bitcoin mining and transaction distribution without using the internet?

For example, how would Bitcoin continue in the event of a total clampdown by a telco?

**Tags:** weaknesses

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Keep in mind that there is a difference between an individual or region not being able to make a spend transaction and be current with the blockchain versus Bitcoin network being vulnerable to regional disruptions.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2011-12-08. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

You can technically run appropriately modified Bitcoin on any sort of network of communication, be it LAN, mesh, or otherwise. One could imagine making a mesh network on Zigbee or Bluetooth and allow anyone to connect to those without the Internet, although then the network latency would be way bigger and the Bitcoin network could easily become forked. Preferably there would be at least one proxy server running both on the internet (be it through wires or cellular) and on the distributed network.

If you want to make payments without using the internet, use physical coins, simple as that. It is far safer than making a new internet-less network. The only way you can lose in this way is if the Bitcoin value would plummet.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Except for the fact that physical coins can be counterfeited.  
> **username_3**: Well, yes, but the Bluetooth network could probably loose connection to the main Bitcoin network easier, than someone counterfeiting the coins.  
> **username_5**: If someone knows *exactly* how much bandwidth Bitcoin uses offhand, I think it would be interesting to connect a client via [AMPRNet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMPRNet) - even if only as a proof of concept. It'd have to be very minimal (perhaps a selfish client?) bandwidth though, since AMPRNet maxes out at 9600 baud...  
> **username_0**: There is also [DASH7](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DASH7) which offers some interesting research opportunities  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2012-07-03. Score: 3

[Bitcoincard](http://bitcoincard.org/ "Bitcoincard") will use mesh radio network, but still, the transactions will be propagated to internet at first opportunity. However, one bitcoincard gateway with working internet access in whole city/neighborhood should be sufficient to prevent network forks.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Bitcoincard offers some very exciting possibilities. Thanks for adding it.  

---

