Efficient bandwidth sharing for iot devices

A method for collaborative downloading between IoT devices, the method comprising:

• periodically checking, by a first IoT device of a plurality of IoT devices connected to the same network, a server for an available data item required by the first IoT device, wherein the server is in communication with each of the plurality of IoT devices;
• discovering, by the first IoT device, on the network, one or more other IoT devices of the plurality of IoT devices that have downloaded or are downloading the data item;
• requesting, by the first IoT device, the data item from a second IoT device of the one or more other discovered IoT devices which have downloaded or are downloading the data item;
• and
• receiving, by the IoT device, the data item from the second IoT device.

A method for collaborative downloading between IoT devices, the method comprising:

• periodically checking, by a first IoT device of a plurality of IoT devices connected to the same network, a server for an available data item required by the first IoT device, wherein the server is in communication with each of the plurality of IoT devices;
• downloading, by the first IoT device, the data item from the server;
• advertising, by the first IoT device, on the network, that the first IoT device has downloaded or is downloading the data item;
• receiving, by the first IoT device, a request for the data item from at least one second IoT device of the plurality of connected IoT devices;
• and
• transmitting, by the first IoT device, the data item to the at least one second IoT device.