BT Group and Edgio have unveiled the first-ever Content Delivery Network (CDN) enabled by Multicast-Assisted Unicast Delivery (MAUD) technology. This strategic collaboration aims to revolutionize live television streaming on the internet, offering advantages like reduced costs, improved content quality, scalability, and more sustainable streaming practices.
BT Group initially launched the content delivery solution in December 2023. Edgio will integrate its CDN with BT Group’s MAUD technology, marking the first implementation in a live environment. They plan to trial the delivery of EE TV content on selected set-top boxes within the live network in the coming months.
MAUD streamlines multiple streams into a singular ‘multicast’ core network, converting them back into individual streams for end-users. This elevates efficiency and reliability in live streaming, offering a more consistent user experience.
For CDN operators such as Edgio, adopting MAUD technology enhances live streaming by minimizing the effects of internet traffic surges during large-scale events. This ensures steady content quality, particularly when viewer counts peak.
According to BT, MAUD technology reduces bandwidth requirements by up to 50% during peak events, easing network strain and lowering energy consumption. Additionally, it eliminates the necessity for extensive hardware. Content providers can integrate with the MAUD-enabled CDN without altering their existing player applications.
Howard Watson, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT, emphasized the significance of the collaboration with Edgio: “Our collaboration with Edgio represents an important step in developing an efficient live streaming solution that aligns with the needs of content delivery networks. By integrating MAUD with CDNs, we aim to provide a practical solution for content providers.”
Emma Whitmore, Group Vice President EMEA at Edgio, highlighted the benefits of the partnership: “The partnership allows us to deliver more consistent and high-quality experiences to our clients, particularly in markets with diverse network solutions.”
