Methods of locating data spots and networks and user equipment for using the same

A method of determining data spots in a network, the method comprising:

• determining, by the network, geographic positions of a plurality of network users;
• determining, by the network, sideloading capabilities of each network user;
• identifying, by the network, at least one ad hoc hotspot based on the geographic positions and the sideloading capability of each network user;
• determining a geographic position of a data spot having communicative access to the ad hoc hotspot;
• and
• transmitting, from the network to the network users, the geographic position of the data spot.

A method of providing content to a network user, the method comprising:

• receiving a request for content from the network user, the content not being currently available at a current position of the network user;
• identifying a plurality of transmission resources;
• determining available content from each of the transmission resources;
• positioning at least one data spot, each data spot being positioned within a communicative proximity of one of the transmission resources having the determined available content matching the requested content;
• and
• transmitting, from the network to a network user, the position of the data spot.

A network providing data spot information to network users wirelessly connected thereto, the network comprising:

• a central station configured to,
• determine characteristics of a transmission resource, the transmission resource including an ad hoc hotspot,
• determine a geographic position of a data spot based on the characteristics of the transmission resource, and
• transmit, from the central station to at least one of the network users, the geographic position of the data spot.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code that when executed performs a method comprising:

• determining characteristics of a transmission resource, the transmission resource including an ad hoc hotspot;
• determining a geographic position of a data spot based on the characteristics of the transmission resource;
• and
• transmitting, from a network operator to a network user, the geographic position of the data spot.