Microsoft, Limelight Partner For 'More Reliable' Xbox Live

Content delivery network provider Limelight Networks announced a new multi-year agreement with Microsoft whereby Limelight will work to “help improve the reliability” to Microsoft's online services, such as Xbox Live. In addition to working to improve the “performance, scalability, and reliability” of Microsoft's online presence, the two companies have also agreed to cross-license their technologies, as well as consider future joint development projects, and cooperate on extending and improving their respective technology infrastructures. The firms also announced a new multi-year relationship under which Limelight Networks will continue to provide global media streaming and content delivery services to Microsoft. According to Debra Chrapaty, corporate vice president of Microsoft's global foundation services, “Limelight's vision, service and technology leadership in Internet delivery of media is a perfect fit with our own vision and initiatives toward the future.” While financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, Limelight already enjoys a close working relationship with the major technology firm. Last September the company renewed its partnership with Microsoft as the content delivery network for Xbox Live, and the companies continue to work together on the popular online service. "Today's digital media initiatives only hint at the full potential of the Internet as a channel for distribution of traditionally produced content and as a platform for the creation of new forms of media and entertainment content," adds Chrapaty. “Our agreement with Limelight Networks anticipates Internet audiences and content offerings that are orders of magnitude larger than today.”