Comcast is harnessing edge computing technology to bring more processing power closer to consumers, enhancing internet performance for applications like streaming and gaming. This move also aims to establish a standardized platform for content providers to efficiently distribute their media across Comcast’s network.
The company is set to deploy Qwilt’s Open Edge platform, creating the most distributed content delivery network (CDN) in the U.S. “By deploying distributed access architecture and virtualization, we are placing the intelligence of our network closer to customers, paving the way for innovations like this partnership with Qwilt,” said Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer at Comcast.
“We’re leveraging the immense potential of edge computing to build a leading CDN that benefits both our customers and the content providers who distribute across our network,” Nafshi added.
As live streaming grows and demand for high-quality content delivery increases, an optimized CDN is essential for providing a faster, more responsive, and high-quality user experience. Qwilt’s platform represents a key step in Comcast’s mission to enhance content delivery through innovation. Earlier this year, Comcast launched 4K enhancements for Xfinity, offering an unparalleled viewing experience for X1 customers with 4K video, Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos spatial audio, and ultra-low latency streaming.
For content providers, Comcast’s adoption of a standardized platform improves the efficiency, reliability, and security of content delivery at scale. Alon Maor, CEO of Qwilt, expressed excitement over the collaboration: “By leveraging Open Caching, Comcast is using its strengths as a major network operator to shape efficient content delivery and open up new opportunities within the value chain.”
The first-of-its-kind deployment of Qwilt’s Open Edge platform provides Quality-as-a-Service content delivery, with caching and delivery functions integrated directly into Comcast’s network. Qwilt’s solution, based on the Open Caching specifications developed by the Streaming Video Technology Alliance (SVTA), enables seamless, high-quality content delivery.
Comcast joins nearly 200 service and content providers partnering with Qwilt to power the Open Edge. This deployment will provide local delivery to most U.S. broadband subscribers, marking a significant milestone in building the world’s largest federated, all-edge CDN. The global edge cloud footprint benefits content publishers, service providers, and consumers alike.
