Viasat, Inc.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING OFFLOADING NETWORK TRAFFIC VIA A CONNECTED CELLULAR DEVICE

Abstract:

A process and/or apparatus capable of providing alternative communication channels for facilitating network communication is disclosed. The process, in some embodiments, maintains a primary link which facilitates network communication between various attached devices and content providers. After identifying a cellular and wireless capable ("CWC") device, a hybrid function of the CWC device is activated for providing one or more overlay channels between through the CWC device creating a secondary link for communications between the various attached devices and content providers. The process is then capable of offloading network traffic between the primary link and the secondary link, for example, based on the types of the network traffic.