Systems and methods for building and funding communication networks

1. A next generation communication system comprising:

a set of network nodes that are each equipped with hardware and software that configures the network node to connect to and operate within a wireless mesh network for providing high-speed Internet service, wherein:

each network node in the wireless mesh network is configured to communicate with at least one other network node in the wireless mesh network via a wireless, bidirectional communication link; and

each network node in a subset of the set of network nodes is further equipped with hardware and software that configures the network node to act as a blockchain-based distributed data storage node within a blockchain network that is configured to provide blockchain-based services.

2. The next generation communication system of claim 1 , wherein the hardware and software that configures each network node in the subset of the set of network nodes to act as a blockchain-based distributed data storage node within a blockchain network comprises a computer that includes one or more processors, memory, digital content, and software for facilitating blockchain-based services.

3. The next generation communication system of claim 2 , wherein the software for facilitating blockchain-based services comprises a client for storing, validating, and relaying blockchain-based transactions.

4. The next generation communication system of claim 1 , wherein the blockchain-based services comprise at least one of a service for blockchain-based distributed data storage or a service for blockchain-based digital cryptocurrency mining.

5. The next generation communication system of claim 1 , wherein the next generation communication system is one of a 5G, a 6G, or a 7G communication system that comprises the wireless mesh network for providing the high-speed Internet service.

6. The next generation communication system of claim 5 , wherein revenue generated from providing the blockchain-based services via the subset of the set of network nodes is used to provide pricing subsidies to customers of the high-speed Internet service.

7. The next generation communication system of claim 5 , wherein revenue generated from providing blockchain-based services via the subset of the set of network nodes is used to expand the 5G, 6G, or 7G communication system.

8. The next generation communication system of claim 1 , wherein the hardware and software that configures each network node in the wireless mesh network to connect to and operate within the wireless mesh network for providing high-speed Internet service comprises:

equipment for establishing and communicating over one or more wireless, millimeter-wave bidirectional communication links.

9. The next generation communication system of claim 8 , wherein the equipment for establishing and communicating over the one or more wireless, millimeter-wave bidirectional communication links comprises one or more millimeter-wave antennas.

10. The next generation communication system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more wireless, bidirectional millimeter-wave communication links comprises one or both of (i) a wireless, bidirectional point-to-point millimeter-wave communication link or (ii) a wireless, bidirectional point-to-multipoint millimeter-wave communication link.

11. The next generation communication system of claim 1 , wherein each network node in the set of network nodes is installed at a fixed location on private property of a respective customer of the high-speed Internet service.

12. The next generation communication system of claim 11 , wherein the fixed location on private property of the respective customer of the high-speed Internet service comprises a rooftop of the respective customer's home.

13. A network node comprising:

a first set of hardware and software that configures the network node to connect to and operate within a wireless mesh network for providing high-speed Internet service such that the network node is configured to communicate with at least one other network node in the wireless mesh network via a bidirectional wireless communication link; and

a second set of hardware and software that further configures the network node to act as a blockchain-based distributed data storage node within a blockchain network that is configured to provide blockchain-based services.

14. The network node of claim 13 , wherein the second set of hardware and software that further configures the network node to act as a blockchain-based distributed data storage node within a blockchain network comprises a computer that includes one or more processors, memory, digital content, and software for facilitating blockchain-based services.

15. The network node of claim 14 , wherein the software for facilitating blockchain-based services comprises a client for storing, validating, and relaying blockchain-based transactions.

16. The network node of claim 15 , wherein the one or more wireless, bidirectional millimeter-wave communication links comprises one or both of (i) a wireless, bidirectional point-to-point millimeter-wave communication link or (ii) a wireless, bidirectional point-to-multipoint millimeter-wave communication link.

17. The network node of claim 13 , wherein the first set of hardware that configures the network node to connect to and operate within the wireless mesh network for providing high-speed Internet service comprises:

equipment for establishing and communicating over one or more wireless, millimeter-wave bidirectional communication links.

18. The network node of claim 13 , wherein the network node is installed at a fixed location on private property of a respective customer of the high-speed Internet service.

19. The network node of claim 13 , wherein the fixed location on private property of the respective customer of the high-speed Internet service comprises a rooftop of the respective customer's home.