I don't know about other areas, but in th US there are several networking modes of interest to intrajurisdictional networks. Of course there are LAN cards and other hard wired network devices, even fiber optic. Also, Wifi might be able to get you over short hops. microwwave over 3 GHtz is available for hops of 50 mi. line of site, as is light beems (aviation and road interferance must be mitigated and disuance a question here). Your state might have an authority or company that can provide non-Internet connected IP networking or leased lines.