re: not really
May I question some of your logic?
"If [a] government wanted to, they could jam the wi-fi band and still stop all communications in an area.
So creating a 'mesh' really wouldn't be a good idea and it would probably let them know where you are"
True in theory but it will prove difficult to jam a network that was designed /from the outset/ to cope with some relays going missing. Depending on the geographic area (and knowing that both the spectra and the antennas that are used for WiFi is, by nature, reasonably short-ranged) this could require a load of power in multiple locations. Not always easy to lay down.
"But if your objective would be to get the word out... You'd want to set up a series of packet switched networks run by ham radio operators. Much harder to detect and jam."
I'd disagree - 'ham' operators (an Americanism we prefer not to use over here, btw) are known to the authorities. To make matters 'worse', their PSN usually operates at 145 and 432MHz - and at high power (massive power compared to an Android) - using physically visible antenna systems. I know which chap I'd rather go hunting for...
Having said that, in a situation where there's been a disaster, the radio operator is usually first up and running with voice rather than data because it has less reliance on 3rd party components to decode, it can be used - if required - by non-trained, non-skilled operators and it's fast to relay messages in the voice modes. Give them a big enough disaster and they'll turn to morse code because it'll get through when nothing else does (frequently, there's nothing but 'make do' kit and antennas available) - but it's slow relative to voice and in practice there's nowhere near enough skilled proponents these days to be confident there'll be one on hand, as it were.
"you'd want to restore SMS/Text services first since it would allow more people to communicate"
I'd suggest the very last thing you want when you're passing priority or emergency traffic is a ton of regular users all trying to send messages of singular importance: one of the first acts of RAYNET (the UK's answer to this communications need) is to set up a net controller who's job is to manage the relaying of messages and that priority is given to - and bandwidth reserved for - urgent traffic. Allowing a precious resource like this to be (ab)used by the general public is inviting a communications collapse.
Sporting events? RAYNET 'do' the London Marathon (and other events) to hone their skills whilst offering a valuable service to the core emergency services. In the event of a serious disaster, I predict these guys would be up and running way before the phone network got off the ground.
