Limelight Networks, Inc. announced that it has entered into a major new technology and services agreement with Microsoft under which Limelight will help improve the performance, scalability, and reliability of Internet delivery of media content and online services, including video, music, games, software, and social media, across Microsoft’s global Internet properties. Under the agreement, Microsoft and Limelight will cross-license certain technologies, consider joint development projects in the future, and cooperate on extending and improving their respective technology infrastructures. Microsoft and Limelight have also entered into a multi-year relationship under which Limelight Networks will continue to provide global media streaming and content delivery services to Microsoft.
The new technology and services agreement is aimed at radically improving user experiences across Internet media properties of Microsoft’s globally scaled internet services, which today serve over 460 million unique users per month worldwide. By working together to solve, over time, the Internet’s challenges of media content performance, scale and reliability, Microsoft and Limelight intend to deliver true globally scaled media-caliber experiences to Internet-connected users, to any device in any format anywhere in the world.
“Today’s digital media initiatives only hint at the full potential of the Internet as a channel for distribution of traditionally produced content and as a platform for the creation of new forms of media and entertainment content,” said Debra Chrapaty, Corporate Vice President – Global Foundation Services of Microsoft. “Our agreement with Limelight Networks anticipates Internet audiences and content offerings that are orders of magnitude larger than today. Limelight’s vision, service and technology leadership in Internet delivery of media is a perfect fit with our own vision and initiatives toward the future.”
“Microsoft is widely recognized as a global leader in digital entertainment,” said Jeff Lunsford, chairman and CEO of Limelight Networks. “We are proud to have been chosen for this strategic initiative based on our network and technology’s performance in delivering video for MSNBC.com and game content and video downloads for Xbox Live. Microsoft’s vision for a connected experience closely aligns with our own, including delivery services for the next generation, high definition Internet.”
