1. A method comprising: identifying by a device multiple portions of protected content to host on the device, the multiple portions of protected content including one or more portions of each of one or more pieces of protected content; obtaining the multiple portions of protected content; storing the multiple portions of protected content on the device; and allowing additional devices to obtain from the device at least one of the multiple portions of protected content regardless of whether the additional devices and respective users of the additional devices have permission to consume the protected content, the device as well as each of the additional devices being one of multiple devices in a managed wireless distribution network that allows portions of protected content to be transferred among the multiple devices, the device being configured to store portions of protected content that can be consumed by a user of the device only if the user of the device has permission to consume the protected content.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: receiving by the device a user request to consume particular protected content at the device; determining an estimated time of delivery of the particular protected content, the estimated time of delivery comprising a time at which one or more portions of the particular protected content are estimated to be obtained by the device from one or more other devices in the managed wireless distribution network; and displaying the estimated time of delivery.