Firechat is a messaging service that works without Internet connection

The app does this by tapping into the radio capabilities of the handset and creating a mesh network. The messages have a range of 70 metres, but can go much beyond this range as a link is created from phone to phone using Bluetooth. With its latest OM (off-the-grid-messaging) launch, however, the company claims to be able to deliver a private encrypted message without access to the network. FireChat creates a peer-to-peer mesh network that takes your message from phone to phone until it reaches the intended user.

Of course, there is a cost advantage for a service like this, but the real advantage is that it could be a lifesaver when the actual mobile network is down.

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During the devastating Kashmir floods for instance, a bunch of youth who were already using the app logged in to pass information about evacuation plans within their limited area even though the networks were down.

“We often tend to forget that each cellphone is also a radio by itself,” explains Marina Azcarate, marketing head of Open Garden which created the app. So when a huge gathering of people often leads to the mobile networks collapsing due to overload, FireChat thrives. This capability was on show during the HongKong pro-democracy protests when thousands of youths used the app to pass on messages.

FireChat has a good online presence too and is becoming increasingly popular on both android and iOS. India is among the top countries for the app with over a million users.

Incidentally, the Indian Express is one of the first verified institutional accounts in India.