CDN Roundup: Limelight, AT&T, Panther, Akamai

Ryan Lawler at Contentinople provides a summary of a panel debating whether the content delivery network (CDN) market is a bubble. Panelists were split on the topic, with a CDN executive expressing confidence while investors expected a shakeout.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs today cut Akamai Technologies (AKAM) to sell from neutral and cuts its price target to $33 from $35. "Beyond valuation, we are also concerned about intensifying competition as private entrants proliferate and selected large network operators begin to eye the space," Goldman said. "While portions of Akamai's customer base are likely relatively immune from competitive pressures, we believe that the majority of Akamai's 2,700 customers will be able to put increasing pressure on the company as contracts come up for renewal this year."

StreamingMedia.com has more about AT&T's expansion into the streaming Content Delivery Network space. AT&T brought in a heavyweight customer, Forbes.com which uses AT&T Enterprise Hosting at AT&T's Internet Data Center in New York.

Panther Express named Steve Liddell its new chief executive officer. Liddell's appointment follows a number of milestones for the two-year old CDN, including the announcement of Dennis Morgan as CFO earlier this month, and its venture funding of nearly $16 million in November, 2007.

Dan Frommer at Silicon Alley Insider has an interesting look at the valuation issues surrounding Limelight Networks (LLNW), which are heavily influenced by the outcome of its patent infringement case with Akamai. Jefferies analyst Katherine Egbert estimates that about half of Limelight's business - software downloads, live streaming, "non-traffic-related" CDN services, and its International business - doesn't infringe Akamai's patent.