China Mobile has also managed to overcome its 3G shortcomings by building out a nationwide Wi-Fi network.

FORBES: China Mobile Needs To Wake Up As 3G Growth Slows

Corporate customers are supposed to use that system to deliver their own consumer products, and buy efficiency-building network software that is to come out of HP Labs and EDS, the consulting company purchased in 2008.

FORBES: Everything's Fine at HP! (today)

The carrier is therefore investing in building out a next-generation 4G TD-LTE network that would help it move on from its home-grown TD-SCDMA network and increase its chances at landing lucrative smartphone contracts.

FORBES: As China Mobile's Earnings Flatten More 3G Growth Needed

Once equipped with mesh-enabled devices, soldiers fanning out on a field or firefighters in a burning building could create an impromptu network, automatically transmitting communications from person to person until returning back to commanders.

FORBES: Motorola Moves Into Mesh