Justin Collery with the Mutipath technology. Image via Patrick Browne
Technician-turned-entrepreneur Justin Collery is today launching a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise US$30,000 by the end of October for his innovation: a router technology by the name of Multipath Networks.
Based out of Waterford, Ireland, the aim of this technology is to split internet traffic across all internet connections – in order to help keep connectivity levels stable.
According to Collery, this “disruptive technology” will increase internet speeds for users.
He runs Multipath Networks out of the Arc Labs Innovation Centre for early stage ventures, which is based in Waterford City.
Collery initially came up with the idea for Multipath Networks after he moved from Dublin City to Co Waterford.
Following the move, he struggled to get what he describes as “fast and reliable” broadband.
He then tapped into the expertise of fellow tech experts in the Telecommunications, Software and Systems Group (TSSG) at Waterford Institute of Technology, as well as research that was carried out in various other European third-level institutions.
That’s when he developed Multipath.
The Multipath technology, he says, aggregates internet connections in order to up speeds and help keep connectivity.
The router
The router he has pioneered has the scope to bond any combination of technologies – DSL, Cable, 3G, 4G, and wireless.
With the explosion in cloud-based services, no business should be reliant on just a single internet connection, he said, adding they should have at least two to guarantee connectivity.
“But current technology only allows users to use a single connection at a time. The Multipath router is a fundamental change in the way we connect to the internet.”
He said it’s not just businesses that can benefit, but also the average home.
“As home users stream more and more entertainment from online services such as Netflix and YouTube, they demand greater speeds.
“The advent of 4G means consumers are now paying for more than one high-speed connection through their fixed-line DSL or cable, as well as their 4G phone or Mi-Fi.”
Collery believes his new technology will present both opportunities and challenges to operators.
“If two neighbours have a Multipath router, they can then share connectivity with each other. When your neighbour is not using their connection, you get the benefit of their speed.”
Indiegogo and pledges for Multipath – what people will get in return
And via the Indiegogo campaign, his goal is to raise enough funding (US$30k) to help bring Multipath to mass production by the end of 2013 or early next year.
Everyone who makes a pledge – big or small– will get Multipath software in some form, he said.
“At the lower levels, people will receive the software on a small flash dish which they can then use on hardware they can purchase separately. At the higher levels, we will ship a full kit which people can use straight away.”
Online pledgers will also get at “least three months’ free access” to Multipath’s aggregating service.
Collery already sells a mobile version of the product called Quantum4Mobile, while he also has an office product that’s marketed to IT professionals.
