Akamai launches predictive content delivery solutions to allow instant video start-up on mobile devices

Media Brief

Barcelona, February 22, 2016

Akamai Technologies, a global leader in content delivery network (CDN) services, on Monday announced commercial availability of the company’s Predictive Content Delivery solutions.

Intended to help solve the challenges of HD quality video distribution to mobile devices across all networks, the new solutions are designed to optimize secure content delivery and on-device caching to improve video quality and enable offline viewing on any device over any network, according to a statement issued by the company.

The continued growth of mobile video consumption is driving both media companies and network operators to adopt a strategy to scale the delivery of video across cellular networks to mobile devices.

However, the delivery of high quality and secure video to mobile devices represents some very unique challenges. For example, network performance can vary significantly depending on factors such as time of day, geographic location, obstructions and environmental interferences.

Despite these factors, users expect videos to start instantly, play without buffering, and provide a highly satisfying, quality viewing experience regardless of device or location. In addition, subscribers expect content to be available even when not connected to any network.

"Mobile has become a critical screen for creating customer loyalty and satisfaction for online video, and Akamai’s Predictive Content Delivery solutions are designed to give our customers a powerful set of tools to help them make the most of this growing phenomenon,” said Lior Netzer, vice president and general manager, Emerging Mobile Business Unit, Akamai.

“Sustained user adoption is predicated on delivering an exemplary viewer experience, independent of network conditions, device type, or content. That’s exactly what the Predictive Content Delivery SDK and Akamai WatchNow Application are all about,” added Netzer.

Akamai’s Predictive Content Delivery (PCD) solutions were designed specifically to address the requirements of content providers, video platform providers and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

Available in two configurations – an SDK that can be easily integrated into existing or new media apps, or the turnkey, white-labelled Akamai WatchNow application – both options enable the following key capabilities and benefits:

The pre-positioning or caching of new videos on the end-user device based on user preferences and viewing behaviour makes searching for content easier and allows for offline viewing.

Scheduling delivery based on parameters such as on Wi-Fi networks only or during pre-defined non-peak hours alleviates the need for massive network infrastructure upgrades to cellular networks.

Improved video quality and a better user experience can help drive adoption, consumption, and brand awareness as well as support new revenue opportunities and

Device management features that allow the user to define settings such as amount of device storage that can be utilized for caching give users control over individual user experiences and preferences.

Saffron Digital, a leading global online video platform provider, has fully integrated the Predictive Content Delivery SDK into Saffron’s overall platform solution. This allows clients to deliver richer content recommendations in HD, across EST (Electronic Sell Through), TVOD (Transaction Video On Demand) and SVOD (Subscription Video On Demand) services, independent of different network conditions.

Jason Keane, CEO, Saffron Digital, said, “Through our partnership we are extending the user interaction with content by predictively delivering personalized high quality experiences, independent of network conditions and device type.”

In addition, Akamai is partnering with Verimatrix to provide a robust DRM (Digital Rights Management) solution for content delivered to the mobile device. The Verimatrix VCAS (Video Content Authority System) for Internet TV solution ensures secure HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) stream delivery for OTT (Over The Top) services (including live and video-on-demand content) to all device categories.

“We are pleased to offer service providers a comprehensive way to navigate the complexity of rights management across the fast moving and increasingly diverse world of mobile devices,” said Petr Peterka, CTO, Verimatrix.