Self-Forming and Self-Healing Social Technology Network

Here is my dilemna. I am interested in setting open access high speed wireless as part of a roving open air "Public Markets" project aimed at low-income at-risk folks. I am therefore all in favor of free public access to high speed wireless internet connections.
I have never had a cell phone. At this point I can really see some advantages to having one. The service with the best coverage is leading the charge against public WIFI systems. I don't think I want to be sending $40.00 or more per month to a corporation that is anti-public service. First I tried to find a service provider that met some social screening filters. I couldn't find any.

Then I thought "what about VoIP phones that can hook into internet connections? With a little research I ran into this :

NexLink is a mesh-based broadband network that can carry data, VoIP calls, and streaming video at broadband connection speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps, while traveling at multi-lane highway velocities, according to NexGen. It is based on 2.4GHz wireless networking, but is not 802.11 compliant. Instead, NexCity implemented a proprietary networking protocol, for greater security and privacy.

Both mobile and fixed infrastructure devices in the NexLink network can act as repeaters and routers. This capability allows each unit to extend the network with self-forming and self-healing networks based on ad hoc, peer-to-peer networking. In the event of a major emergency that disables local fixed devices, first responders arriving on the scene can form a network "automatically and seamlessly," Farley says, using mobile NexLink devices.

These "self-forming and self-healing networks" really intrigue me. I like the language and the concept, a sort of public service blob that forms around networks of public service people on the move.

So my question: Is there anybody out there working on similar open source type versions of this that would might work in Northern California? Specifically integrating cell phones?

Maybe what I need is an experienced wardriver!???