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Compaq, Intel, MS invest in streaming media company

Margaret Kane ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 20 Jun 2000 13:30 BST

Compaq, Intel and Microsoft are all backing a new project to deliver a broadcast-quality streaming media network.

All three companies are working with privately held Digital Island, which promises to deliver up to 7.5 million simultaneous media streams.

Digital Island said the network is "roughly comparable to a prime-time TV program's reach". The company said customers such as entertainment firms and financial services companies could use the network to deliver rich media applications to customers.

Compaq, Microsoft and Intel will invest a combined $45m (£29.83m) in Digital Island, and Compaq Financial Services will provide $50m (£33.15m) in equipment lease financing to the company, to speed deployment of Compaq servers.

The new network will support Microsoft's Windows Media platform. All four companies will jointly market and promote Digital Island's Footprint content delivery services for streaming media.

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