Bandwidth sharing between devices in a communication system

摘要

A communication system that provides link sharing between communication devices within the system. A first communication device communicates with the service provider over a first link and a second communication device communicates with the service provider over a second link. The second communication device determines a need for additional bandwidth and transmits a request for the additional bandwidth. The second communication device receives an instruction message responsive to the request that grants the second communication device access to available bandwidth on the first link. The second communication device then communicates with the service provider over a third link and the first link at the available bandwidth wherein the third link connects the second communication device and the first communication device.