Efficient downloading of files to multiple users in proximity of one another

A method, comprising:

• sending, from a first device to a remote computing system, a request for a file from the remote computing system;
• determining, by the first device, that at least a second device is within a proximity of the first device;
• sending, from the first device to the remote computing system, an indication that the second device is within the proximity;
• establishing, by the first device, a wireless connection with at least the second device;
• receiving, by the first device and from the remote computing system, a first portion of the file;
• receiving, by the first device and from the second device via the wireless connection, a second portion of the file;
• and
• combining, by the first device, the first portion of the file and the second portion of the file to generate a complete copy of the file.

A system, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one computer-readable medium encoded with instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
• receive, from a first remote device, a first request for a file;
• determine that at least a second remote device is within a proximity of the first remote device;
• divide the file into at least a first portion and a second portion;
• send, to the first remote device, the first portion of the file;
• send, to the second remote device, the second portion of the file;
• and
• send, to the second remote device, first data to enable the second remote device to establish a connection with the first remote device, for transfer of at least the second portion of the file to the first remote device via the connection with the second remote device.