Netflix has announced it will be delivering its Instant Streaming content through its own content delivery network. In a blog post, the firm gives details on the new service and the reasons behind the decision to move away from commercial providers.
Dubbed “Open Connect,” the new single-purpose content delivery network is expected to save the streaming company a great deal of money over its current delivery options. The company has been relying on commercial content delivery networks (CDNs) for its streaming service.
Netflix revealed that its users stream about a billion hours of movies and television per month using the service. As Netflix transitions to Open Connect, the company will continue to rely on commercial CDNs for a few more years.
Netflix’s says about 5% of its streaming video data is already being served through the in-house network. Netflix also says that it will share its hardware design and the open-source software components of the server. ISPs will be able to either install Open Connect appliances within their networks, or peer with Netflix directly.
