Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 10, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Swiss live- and on-demand-streaming specialist Solutionpark is using Akamai’s live-streaming solution to deliver video reliably through its new internet-TV platform wilmaa.com. Solutionpark provides a complete German-language television service as a live stream around the clock. According to Akamai, wilmaa.com is Switzerland’s first free, browser-only IPTV provider offering ongoing linear television over the internet.
Flash streams are delivered over Akamai’s globally distributed platform to provide television quality online. The platform scales almost without limit regardless of concurrent-user numbers, allowing full-screen viewing without waiting, the company said.
“For wilmaa.com, Akamai’s scalability and excellent Flash live-streaming quality were decisive,” said Solutionpark co-founder and CIO Steve Stoeber. “The website can absorb major traffic peaks, while users are delighted with streams that play without judder or interruption.” He described user feedback as extremely positive.
Because wilmaa.com’s usage rights were initially limited to Switzerland, Akamai geotargeting restricts transmission to that region. Solutionpark was already considering expansion to Germany and possibly later Austria.
“We are delighted to have found a long-term, innovative partner in Switzerland,” said Jürgen Metko, Akamai Sales Manager for Digital Media in Central Europe. “Our high-quality internet-television services prepare Solutionpark well for its new live-streaming offering. After supporting its video-on-demand service, Akamai is now helping shape the next generation of online media use.”
Following several months of testing, wilmaa.com officially launched on December 24, 2008 and had more than 100,000 registered users after two months, according to its operator.
