Can I use Meshtastic or MeshCore for commercial purposes?
The short answer: yes, with some limitations. Both platforms are open source with licenses that permit commercial use, and the ISM band spectrum they operate on allows commercial activity. Here's what you need to know.
Software License Considerations
Meshtastic firmware is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3 (GPLv3). Commercial use is permitted, but:
- If you modify the firmware and distribute it (to customers, as a product), you must release your modifications as GPLv3 as well
- You cannot make the firmware proprietary or closed-source while distributing it
- Using Meshtastic firmware as-is without modification carries minimal GPL obligations
MeshCore firmware is licensed under the permissive MIT License, which freely allows commercial use and proprietary derivatives - so it is less restrictive than Meshtastic's GPLv3, not more. (Some optional premium client features are sold separately.) As always, verify the current license in the MeshCore GitHub repository before deployment.
FCC Part 15 and Commercial Use
FCC Part 15 (the ISM band rules) explicitly permits commercial use. There is no requirement to be a non-profit or individual user. Commercial enterprises can operate LoRa mesh networks on 902-928 MHz under Part 15 rules, subject to the same power limits and emission standards as individual users.
Important caveat: Part 15 operation is unlicensed and unprotected (47 CFR 15.5). Your device must accept any harmful interference it receives from licensed services, and it must stop transmitting if it causes harmful interference to them. A commercial operation that needs guaranteed, interference-protected communications should not rely on a Part 15 mesh as its sole channel.
Common Commercial Applications
- Event production companies - Staff communication at festivals, sporting events, productions
- Construction/site management - Job site coordination in areas without reliable cell service
- Agriculture/ranching - Remote monitoring and worker communication
- Mining and oil/gas - Remote operations in areas without infrastructure
- Telecommunications consulting - Network design and deployment services
What You Cannot Do
- Exceed FCC Part 15 power limits: 1 W (30 dBm) maximum conducted output power. With the standard 6 dBi antenna allowance this yields roughly 4 W EIRP; higher-gain directional antennas require conducted power to be reduced dB-for-dB per 47 CFR 15.247(b)(4) and (c), so you cannot simply add a high-gain antenna to a 1 W radio and stay legal
- Operate outside the 902-928 MHz band in the US (or the equivalent ISM band in your country)
- Cause harmful interference to licensed services and fail to accept interference from licensed services
- Redistribute GPLv3-licensed firmware modifications without releasing source code
Consult with an RF engineer and attorney familiar with FCC regulations before major commercial deployments.