Orcon signs e-cast to CDN

Orcon has signed Auckland-based video hosting and streaming specialist e-cast to its nationwide Content Delivery Network (CDN).

e-cast joins SKY TV on Orcon’s high-quality internet-based video network.

Fast and robust transfer of digital video material and other content via the CDN network is the big attraction for users such as e-cast.

The company specialises in digital video distribution to the commercial, education, training and corporate sectors both within New Zealand and overseas. It also runs a free-to-view internet television network called ecasttv.

Orcon’s CDN network employs Alcatel-Lucent’s next-generation Velocix Digital Media Delivery Platform underpinned by Orcon’s nationwide data network. The CDN can peer openly with any broadband service provider and support any content provider.

e-cast managing director Steve Brebner says a secure, robust digital network is absolutely vital to his company’s business success.

“In the education sector alone, our biggest client eTV has a significant content library of more than 11,000 on demand videos and 20 live TV channels. These are used by staff and students in universities, polytechnics, wānanga, schools and kura all over the country. So we need a network that is both reliable and fast, particularly when these important teaching and learning video resources are being shown in class.

“Orcon has clearly demonstrated it can deliver on those parameters and that’s why we’re delighted to have signed up to its CDN. What makes it even more attractive is the technology and IP is coming to us locally and at a much lower cost.”

Orcon general manager of wholesale Charlie Boyd says the Velocix technology is installed at strategic points on the Orcon network around the country.

“It’s from these points that we stream the data which enables us to house the content closer to the end user and that lowers access costs and reduces the price of streaming to consumers.
“The amount of online video watched by broadband users is sky-rocketing as streaming TV web sites and video-on-demand grow in popularity,” Boyd says. “And with the fibre-based, ultra-broadband future almost upon us data growth is accelerating.

“The Velocix technology and services are proven by telcos and broadcasters around the world so content providers are secure in the knowledge there’s a local CDN solution that meets their specific requirements.”

In addition to its video production and streaming services, e-cast deploys state-of-the-art video streaming hardware and holds IP rights to key software for e-cast projects. It operates an array of satellite dishes, capturing content from up to 40 national and international channels.

Orcon signed up SKY TV’s iSKY online TV service to the CDN last year.