Akamai today is unveiling what it calls the Akamai HD Network which includes enhancements to its existing Content Delivery Network for analytics, authentication, DVR functionality and the addition of HTTP adaptive bitrate streaming enabling the HD its network to reach mobile devices. While this is a big step for Akamai it will take some time to make any lasting impact (both adoption and network capacity, especially over mobile are stumbling blocks), but hey, it’s progress.
The network will be introduced in a live press conference today at 1PM EST. While the network is adding a number of things content producers have been asking for, analytics in particular have been one of the areas Akamai is behind the curve.
But a key consideration here as Dan Rayburn points out is also cost. Adaptive bitrate streaming has the benefit of offering every viewer the best possible experience and that means far higher bitrates on average than are delivered with a constant bitrate stream.
This means higher bandwidth costs for those distributing digital content. While higher quality should mean increased engagement and higher ad revenue we’re not there yet as we say all the time, but again, this is progress.