BT Ignite Deploys Content and Streaming Media Distribution

BT Ignite Content Hosting, the hosting arm of BT’s International broadband Internet Protocol (IP) business, Thursday (Nov 16) announced its plans to deploy advanced content distribution and streaming media technology across its pan-European infrastructure in a deal with Network Appliance Inc. (Nasdaq:NTAP).

Network Appliance, the leading provider of network-attached data access and content delivery solutions, will supply the hardware and software for BT Ignite’s content delivery network (CDN) for rich media and other web content.

“Network Appliance offered us a superior content delivery solution which consists of delivery platforms for both the data center and the network edge, and robust content management and distribution software,” said Vernon Irvin, president of BT Ignite Content Hosting.

Network Appliance Inc., a veteran in network file storage and content delivery, has been providing data access solutions since 1992, and is a member of both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 index. Major corporations and service providers, including Lycos, Yahoo!, Citicorp Securities, Siemens, Lockheed, Cisco, Motorola and Texas Instruments have deployed NetApp solutions.

The concept of the “network appliance” is an extension of the industry trend toward dedicated, specialized products that perform a single function. NetApp storage and content delivery platforms (filers and NetCache appliances) are coupled with powerful content distribution and reporting software, offerin seamless data management from the back-end data center to the edge of the network. The Network Appliance product portfolio utilizes the company’s data access software, known as the Data ONTAP operating system, as well as standards-compliant hardware. It also offers multi-protocol support and transparent integration for UNIX and Windows environments.

BT Ignite is British Telecom’s international broadband and IP solutions business, created to provide a complete communications portfolio to corporate and wholesale customers anywhere in the world. It is a global organization committed to delivering the entire IP value chain — from core networks and Internet connectivity through to e-commerce consultancy and solutions with content hosting, application service provision, systems integration and outsourcing capabilities.

BT Ignite is already outstripping its nearest competitors in terms of traditional measures of route kilometers, number of hosting centers, local sales and service support teams and depth of country coverage. In Europe, BT Ignite already has twice the broadband reach of its competitors and, through an aggressive 3-year, £4 billion investment program, will be able to deliver its portfolio to over 250 European cities over its own networks by the end of 2001 and to all the world’s commercial centers through BT’s international alliances and partnerships.

BT Ignite Content Hosting offers a range of web hosting application and networking services, utilizing a world-class Internet backbone. The data centers can service a wide range of companies from major corporations to application service providers and other Internet-centric businesses.