Open Garden, a start-up that crowdsources mobile internet connections, has updated its platform to help operators offload more network traffic and offer reliable coverage to consumers.

The free Android app enables users to hop between different internet sources when mobile browsing, including wi-fi hotspots, 4G and smaller base stations used by homes and businesses, to ensure optimum coverage.

Version 2.0 offers multi-hop wi-fi to increase the range of existing hotspots so users can take advantage of multiple available sources at the same time. Open Gardens channel bonding tech enables users to share their internet connection between multiple devices.

“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 service works across Android, Windows PCs and Macs, with 2.1m people signed up so far, connecting smartphones, computers and tablets into a mesh network.