Open Garden Launches v2.0 Mobile Wireless Software: Improves Speed, Reach and Stability

Operators Boost Offerings and Offload Network Traffic With Hybrid Connectivity


SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 4, 2013) - LAUNCH FESTIVAL 2013 -- Open Garden, the startup crowdsourcing Internet access, announced today a completely new release of its groundbreaking software platform which delivers consistent and ubiquitous Internet connections. Open Garden version 2.0 provides better service, stronger coverage and faster downloads with new Multi-hop and Channel Bonding features that help Mobile Operators offload network traffic and enable the seamless handoff of connections.

For the consumer, Open Garden works behind the scenes to simultaneously access all available Internet off-ramps including Wi-Fi hotspots, 4G base stations or femtocells. The simultaneous use of multiple networks provides end users with the strongest and fastest and most reliable Internet connection available.

"Carriers need to differentiate their services, enhance the user experience, satisfy the insatiable consumer demand for mobile video, and economize on their infrastructure investments all at the same time," said Micha Benoliel, co-founder and CEO, Open garden. "As the public accesses more data-centric and bandwidth intensive applications, delivering that video content will become an increasingly bigger challenge for mobile operators. Consumers will blame carriers if their video quality is subpar."

The average fixed line Internet subscriber consumes 7GB - 15GB of data per month. On the world's most heavily-trafficked mobile networks, average data consumption levels are already running at similar levels. Already, video accounts for approximately 50% of the traffic on mobile networks. 

Enhancements:
Open Garden version 2.0 offers a disruptive multi-hop Wi-Fi offload protocol that increases the range and reach of existing Wi-Fi hotspots, and channel bonding technology that improves the quality of video streaming on smartphones.

Channel bonding leverages multiple devices and connections to ensure the most optimal user experience enabling faster speed and improving reliability.

Multi-Hop offload enables longer reach of each Wi-Fi hotspot. It can enable the choice or taking advantage of multiple available hotspots in the same area at the same time.

By offloading traffic from 3G and 4G networks and relieving network congestion, mobile operators can provide better service to more consumers in more locations at a much lower cost -- resulting in more satisfied subscribers.

Video: Open Garden On CalTrain

Cost and Availability:
Open Garden v2 is immediately available free of charge in Google Play. Anyone can download Open Garden for Mac, Android and Windows at http://opengarden.com.

About Open Garden
Open Garden is a San Francisco-based startup dedicated to bringing Internet everywhere: to every device, every person, and every location. Open Garden connects nearby smartphones, computers, and tablets into a mesh network on Android, Windows, and Mac. With Open Garden people share mobile data for free with faster speeds and improved reliability. Carriers use Open Garden to optimize their Network efficiency through hybrid connectivity and multi-hop Wi-Fi offloading. Over 2.1 million people have installed an Open Garden application.

Key words: WiFi, Tethering, Internet, Wireless, Smartphone, Android, Mesh Networks, Broadband, Mobile data

Contact Information:

Press Contact:
Heidi Groshelle
+1 415.307.1380
press@opengarden.com

Open Garden Screen Shot