System for Providing Internet Access Using Mobile Phones

A system for providing internet access using mobile devices, the system comprising:

• a gateway/router device that services a local environment, the gateway/router device selecting at least one mobile device located within the local environment, the selecting being based on the at least one mobile device having a wireless connection to the internet;
• a first local connection from the gateway/router device for communicating with the selected at least one mobile device, the first local connection for communicating data signals between the at least one mobile device and the gateway/router device on a first hop, and for communicating the data signals between the selected at least one mobile device and the internet on a second hop via the wireless connection between the at least one mobile device and the internet;
• and
• a second local connection from the gateway/router device for communicating with at least one other internet-enabled device, and for communicating the data signals between at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment.