Akamai Selected for NBC Olympics Video

NBC partners with Akamai to stream the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Sabey selects MRV to power its Intergate.Exchange network, and French telecom TDF selects Ciena to expand its network.

Akamai Video delivery to be used for NBC Olympics coverage. Akamai Technologies (AKAM) announced it has been selected to provide online video streaming delivery, site performance and security services to NBC Olympics, a division of the NBC Sports Group, during its production of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The combination of Akamai's cloud-based digital media, site performance and security solutions help make the entire online experience faster, scalable and more secure. These video experiences are automatically optimized for viewing devices and network variability while enjoying protection against malicious traffic. The Sochi Olympics mark the first time that all Winter Games competitions will be streamed live. For live and on-demand video delivery, NBC Olympics is leveraging Akamai Digital Media solutions to stream all 98 events. "A production of the importance, scope and magnitude of NBC Olympics' digital experience involves countless complexities that can be managed through Akamai's cloud-based solutions," said Brad Rinklin, Chief Marketing Officer, Akamai.  "The Akamai Intelligent Platform is designed to handle the challenges that organizations face in site performance, video delivery and security. Akamai is proud to partner with NBC Olympics on the Sochi Winter Games and is looking forward to helping viewers across America enjoy their favorite events wherever and whenever they want, and on whatever device they choose."

Sabey selects MRV for Optical network.  MRV Communications (MRVC) announced that Sabey Data Centers has selected MRV’s OptiDriver optical transport platform for its proprietary Intergate.Exchange (IGX) network to support interconnection bandwidth requirements at Intergate.Manhattan—its new mega data center in New York City. The OptiDriver platform improves manageability while reducing energy required for system operation and cooling, providing Sabey a competitive advantage with ongoing energy and operational costs. “Our brand new IGX fiber connection at Intergate.Manhattan requires high bandwidth and resiliency to ensure high levels of service to our customers, and efficient energy usage to lower costs and improve our environmental footprint in the largest data center in the city,” said John Sabey, president of Sabey Data Centers.

Ciena and TDF partner for France Network. Ciena (CIEN) and European telecom TDF announced TDF has deployed Ciena’s optical solutions to provide 100G capabilities to its customers. This will allow TDF to address the need for increased bandwidth for its customers that are interested in high speed and low latency connectivity. The network is powered by Ciena 6500 Packet-Optical platform, and is connected to data centers in Paris, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Aix-Marseille and Rennes.  It will increase its reach in France to 5,000 kilometers by the end of 2014. The performance of the new network was tested and approved on a long-haul transmission network from Bordeaux to Marseille (via Paris), which covered 1,800 kilometers in France, without needing regeneration. Additionally, TDF will deploy Ciena's digital video transport solution to offer users the ability to transport high-quality video content over its network.  “The network is now critical to numerous organisations in different sectors," said Jean-Louis Mounier, industrial director at TDF Group." As part of our experience in the media sector and in order to address new markets, we implemented an expansion strategy that requires a reliable packet-optical technology and a partner that could support us in the creation of new services. Ciena provided us with that by helping us broaden our range of solutions, identify new clients and seize new opportunities.”