Level 3 Communications Inc. and Broadcast.com Thursday inked a
five-year deal which will give the Internet broadcaster cheaper bandwidth.
Under the terms of the agreement, Broadcast.com will use Level 3’s IP
network to deliver its audio and video content to the masses at reduced
fees. In return, Level 3 will use Broadcast.com to send its corporate announcements over the Internet
“Through our relationship with Level 3 Communications, we will gain access
to the first end-to-end IP-based fiber network in the world. Together we
will take Internet broadcasting to the next level, as we can deliver
high-quality broadband content at increased bit rates to mass, scalable
audiences,” said Todd Wagner, chief executive officer of broadcast.com.
The companies also expect similar deals in the future, particularly in the
areas of multicasting products, broadband video content delivery, and more
streaming media services.
Broadcast.com’s business service provides live and on-demand audio and
video solutions for various corporate communications applications,
including seminars, product launches, distance learning, annual shareholder
meetings and quarterly earnings calls. Broadcast.com was purchased by Yahoo! for $5.7 billion in April.
Level 3 Communications, Inc., is a communications and information services
company which is building the first international network optimized for
IP technology. The firm launched services in Europe in the first quarter
this year.