iiNet reports explosive growth for cloud-based streaming video and radio services, CDN downloads hit 1.2 petabytes per year

Telecommunications company iiNet has revealed the total amount of video and audio downloads delivered in the past year through its Content Delivery Network has reached 1.2 petabytes, more than triple the amount over the previous 12 months.

One petabyte represents 1000 terabytes of data, while one terabyte is 1000 gigabytes.

The Content Delivery Network is a network of servers in datacentres around the country, and is used for the mass delivery of streaming video and audio content.

Aside from offering the carrier’s own content, third party CDN customers can also host their content on the network.

It is used a range of content from the cloud, including ABC iView, iiNet TV with Fetch, over 180 streaming radio stations, Xbox Live, and streaming video from special events, including for the recent WOMADelaide world music festival.

The network is managed through master servers in the carrier’s Adelaide and Sydney data centres, which control nodes in every capital city except Darwin, along with edge servers in the US cities of San Jose and Los Angeles.

Content from the CDN is unmetered to the carrier’s broadband subscribers, while some content is also available to customers from other providers.

iiNet product manager Robert Buckler cites the growing popularity of the carrier’s iiNet TV with Fetch streaming video and video on demand service as a key driver of the growth.

“The fact that we can cope with this sort of growth, and deliver this volume of data, is truly a testament to the strength and design of the iiNet Group’s Content Delivery Network. To move that sort of data reliably, you need a fantastic network.”

The news comes less than a week after iiNet founder Michael Malone resigned as chief executive after 20 years with the company.