Cloudbrink launches mobile hotspot optimisation service

Cloudbrink has announced the launch of its software-only mobile hotspot optimisation, enhancing remote access performance for roaming users by over double.

The new service aims to support users requiring secure connectivity in challenging environments such as warehouses, remote manufacturing facilities, and conference centres where standard internet services may not be reliable.

Cloudbrink utilises AI-enabled network detection and optimisation technology to improve connectivity performance without user input. The service identifies mobile hotspots and automatically selects the fastest edge connection while using a proprietary algorithm to counteract packet loss, a key factor in performance degradation.

According to independent testers from Broadband Testing, the Cloudbrink service can boost application performance over WiFi, 4G/5G, and broadband connections by more than 30 times. It is marketed as a VPN replacement and a high-performance ZTNA alternative suitable for hybrid work and work-from-anywhere scenarios.

Manohar Reddy, Head of Products at Cloudbrink, stated, "To get acceptable performance over a hotspot can be challenging, particularly if you care about security. Until now, your best option was to connect to a VPN, but that cuts the effective bandwidth by at least 50% depending on the proximity of the VPN server."

He added, "Cloudbrink was already faster than a VPN or other ZTNA over any remote connection by an order of magnitude. Now we've tuned the service to optimize mobile hotspots, we're seeing better than twice the performance we were previously getting on tethered devices. That's great for existing Cloudbrink users. For anyone coming to the service for the first time, switching from Zscaler or another VPN provider, the performance improvement will be much more dramatic."

Despite the anticipated widespread adoption of 5G technology, only 32% of cellular connections in the US currently utilise 5G, with global penetration being notably lower. Additionally, 5G connectivity is predominantly available in metropolitan areas, leaving many remote and hybrid workers outside its reach.

Hotspots commonly encounter performance challenges due to the dual wireless links involved; one connects the tethered device to the mobile device, and the other connects the mobile device to the carrier network.

Girl Power Talk, a social enterprise offering employment training and support for women and girls in developing economies, tested Cloudbrink's service in Africa. Rachita Sharma, CEO of Girl Power Talk, shared, "Mobile networks are often a lifeline for our people on the ground. Cloudbrink's technology enables our teams to be more productive and efficient in areas where they previously struggled to join meetings or download documents due to poor connectivity."

Cloudbrink's solution employs accelerated pre-emptive packet recovery, coupled with dynamic virtual access points known as FAST Edges, to reduce latency and boost throughput even when operating over unreliable and congested infrastructure. Intelligent packet optimisation further allows the service to modify connection performance based on signal strength and other variables.