Disclosed is a self-contained mesh radio extension unit, comprising a receiving sleeve having an open volume and a first data connector for communicative coupling to a communication device or cellular phone inserted in the open volume. A low-gain internal antenna and a high-gain external antenna are coupled to a digital data link (DDL) with a first DDL operating frequency. The DDL provides bidirectional internet protocol (IP) connectivity between the first data connector and a peer-to-peer meshed communication network, controlling one or more of the antennae as transceivers at the first DDL operating frequency. An integrated power supply system powers the DDL and includes a rechargeable internal battery and an external power interface. A control system automatically routes IP packets received or transmitted by the DDL and includes a network address translation (NAT) router and an IP addressing service for assigning and tracking IP addresses across the peer-to-peer meshed communication network.