Akamai, Vubiquity Partner for Content-as-a-Service Offering

Global provider of multiplatform video services Vubiquity and Akamai (AKAM) announced a partnership designed to help network service providers or content owners efficiently and cost-effectively launch over-the-top (OTT) video services. Combining Vubiquity's AnyVU Cloud and the Akamai Intelligent Platform will offer a robust licensed content library along with cloud-based content workflows, storage and delivery at a global scale.

As part of the new content-as-a-service offering, Akamai's Media and Delivery Solutions, including cloud storage and efficient high-speed content delivery network (CDN), are designed to help ensure high-quality video delivery and superior user experiences across networks and devices. The content-as-a-service offering can also be deployed using Akamai's Aura licensed or managed CDN solutions to provide network operators an on-net and off-net OTT solution to help manage traffic, reduce network costs, and engage their subscribers with compelling new video services. Together, the companies expect to deliver content directly to consumer devices on behalf of their joint service provider customers in over 90 countries.

"AnyVU Cloud was a natural evolution for Vubiquity which supports more than 700 customers on a global scale. Coupled with Akamai's globally deployed network that carries up to 30 percent of the world's web traffic at any time, we are providing a platform of unparalleled reach," noted Vubiquity's CEO Darcy Antonellis. "We've architected a highly scalable platform that supports the growing needs for deep library content, with very flexible integration paths to enable new consumer-facing product and service offers. The modularity of the platform means clients can pick and choose services from content licensing to delivery, marketing and data analytics, to fill existing gaps and experiment more rapidly with new products to support growth."

Akamai is showcasing its full range of digital media solutions, including cloud-based storage, processing, analytics and delivery services at the 2014 NAB Show in Las Vegas next week.

Akamai accelerates content availability with Aspera

Akamai and IBM company Aspera announced a new high-speed option for Akamai customers to accelerate upload and distribution of rich media content on the Akamai Intelligent Platform. The Aspera Upload Acceleration option integrates Aspera's proven transfer technology directly into Akamai's NetStorage cloud-based online storage platform, providing a significantly faster means for Akamai customers to upload files regardless of file size or geographic distance. The integration of Aspera's patented FASP transfer software into Akamai's NetStorage is designed to significantly increase upload transfer speeds while creating a seamless end-user experience with no need to re-architect the workflow or build custom API calls.

"Combining the global scale and reach of the Akamai Intelligent Platform with the speed of Aspera's FASP technology can dramatically increase the rate at which content is uploaded and ultimately delivered to viewers," said Michelle Munson, founder and CEO, Aspera. "Our two organizations worked extensively to build a tightly integrated and cohesive solution for owners of content of all sizes so they can realize new efficiencies in asset management and support higher quality delivery and playback of online video."