Akamai is tapped for Olympics video project

Akamai Technologies Inc., the Cambridge company that specializes in technology that aims to provide for the speedy delivery of robust Web content, said it will be part of an effort to provide live and on-demand video for the NBC TV network during NBC's coverage of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games in February.

In a press release, Akamai said it has been selected along with iStreamPlanet to work with Microsoft Corp. on the project.

"iStreamPlanet will be providing turnkey satellite downlink encoding and production services to the Smooth Streaming for Silverlight format, and the video will be delivered to online audiences over the Akamai HD Network," Akamai said.

The release included a statement from Akamai executive vice president Robert Hughes, who said: "With consumer appetite for online video increasing and quality improving, we expect the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games will prove to be a milestone in innovation and online video. Akamai is thrilled to support NBC's innovative coverage of this global event. The Akamai HD Network is designed to let broadcasters enhance television coverage by enabling the highest possible online video experiences, complete with interactivity and at broadcast scale." (Globe Staff)