No service? No problem with the personal mobile networking goTenna — and save almost $25

As marvelously functional as smartphones are, they become little more than glorified paperweights if they’re running on a crummy, or in some cases non-existent, mobile network. But what if your phone didn’t need cell or WiFi service to work?

That’s the premise behind the ultra-cool CES Innovation Award-winning goTenna Mesh Secure Portable Network. Right now, you can pick up a two-pack of these super-handy, ultra-portable emergency devices for just $155, almost $25 off their regular price from TNW Deals.

The goTenna is about 4 inches long, weighs less than 2 ounces, and when you’ve got one, your phone will allow you to send text and GPS locations in areas without cell service or densely populated spots with bad signal strength.

Rather than connecting to a network, the goTenna literally creates its own, transmitting a high-frequency radio signal that hops across other Mesh Network devices to your message recipient.

Working at a range of up to 4 miles in open spaces and over half-a-mile in dense areas, the goTenna is a proven solution for traveling off the grid or during emergencies where cell service is compromised.

In case you’re worried about security (and who isn’t, these days?), all your goTenna messages are fully encrypted. Give a goTenna to a friend or family member while out in the great outdoors or in crowded environs like a sports stadium and you’ll stay in constant contact, even if area cell and WiFi are overloaded or neither of you pay for a mobile carrier.

You can stay safe and rest easy knowing you’re always in touch with these Kickstarter-funded gadgets, now only $155 while this offer lasts.