Vision¶
Mycel is a messenger for people without reliable internet access.
The Problem¶
3.7 billion people lack reliable internet access. They can't use modern messaging apps. Existing solutions require:
- Constant internet connectivity (WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal)
- Expensive satellite hardware (Starlink)
- Complex infrastructure (LoRa networks)
Mycel works with what people already have: Android phones with Bluetooth.
How Mycel Works¶
Mycel uses true DTN (Delay-Tolerant Networking): messages hop between phones until they reach their destination - across a village, a city, or the globe.
Alice's phone → [stores message] → Bob walks by → [message hops] →
→ [hops again] → ... → reaches recipient (hours/days later)
Messages persist on devices and forward opportunistically when other Mycel users come within Bluetooth range. No base stations. No internet required.
Delivery Can Take Time¶
This isn't a bug - it's a feature. Mycel trades instant delivery for the ability to work anywhere:
| Scenario | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Same room | Seconds |
| Same neighborhood | Minutes to hours |
| Same city | Hours |
| Different cities | Hours to days |
| Remote areas | Days or longer |
Unified Transport Model¶
All transports form ONE logical network. Users see no difference between local mesh and global internet routing.
| Transport | Type | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Nearby Connections | BLE/WiFi | Local mesh (100-300m) |
| Nostr Relays | WebSocket | Global via internet relays |
| Future: LoRa | Radio | Long-range (kilometers) |
Routing automatically picks the best available path. When you have internet, messages go faster. When you don't, they travel through the mesh.
Core Principles¶
1. Offline First¶
Internet is a bonus, not a requirement. Every feature works without connectivity.
2. Uses Existing Hardware¶
No special equipment needed - just an Android phone with Bluetooth.
3. Privacy by Design¶
- End-to-end encryption for all messages
- Rotating identities prevent tracking
- No central server stores your data
4. Simple for Users¶
Complex routing hidden behind a clean UI. You send a message; it finds its way.
5. Resilient¶
Messages eventually arrive despite network failures, phone reboots, and interrupted connections.
Message Types¶
| Type | Description | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Messages | Person-to-person | E2E encrypted |
| Private Groups | Invite-only, any member can post | Shared group key |
| Channels | Admin-only broadcast | Signed by admin |
Target Users¶
Primary¶
People in areas with unreliable or no internet:
- Rural communities
- Developing regions
- Disaster/emergency scenarios
- Protest situations
- Events with overloaded networks
Secondary¶
Privacy-conscious users who want local-first messaging without corporate servers.
Technical Foundation¶
Mycel is built on proven technologies:
| Component | Technology |
|---|---|
| Protocol | DTN (Delay-Tolerant Networking) |
| Routing | PRoPHET + Spray-and-Wait hybrid |
| Encryption | X25519 key exchange, AES-256-GCM |
| Signatures | Ed25519 |
| Local Transport | Google Nearby Connections (BLE/WiFi) |
| Internet Transport | Nostr relays (NIP-17) |
| Geographic Routing | H3 hexagonal grid |
The Future¶
Mycel is evolving toward a broader ecosystem:
- LoRa integration for long-range mesh (potentially via Meshtastic)
- Ecosystem integrations with the broader decentralized web
- iOS and desktop clients (long-term)
Our goal: Messages find a way.
Open Source¶
Mycel is open source software. The codebase is available for inspection and contribution.
"Mycel: Messages find a way."