It does require an existing network. However that network can be anywhere and belong to anyone "theoretically". The connections require only a
wireless capability (in whatever device you use the POPEYE application on) and one or more peers using the same interface (or program) (which would be
POPEYE)
The same way your cell can connect in a free wireless hotspot, or your PDA or Laptop.
If you had three people all running the POPEYE application say one on a blackberry, another on a web enabled cell phone and one on a laptop - they
could communicate, share files etc etc without being connected to the internet.
They only need the common program POPEYE to relay info via the network already in place.
POPEYE is the "interface" - or communication language.
Any existing network is the "mode" to transfer.
It's the same as setting up two home computers to each other via wireless and sending data back and forth... you set up the permissions and the
transfer occurs without use of the internet...the two computers are linked by a common program over the existing network.