Though the companies that created the Content Delivery Network (CDN) industry over a decade ago have evolved well beyond that core functionality, there are still plenty of service providers seeking CDN capabilities, as evidenced by the first fruits of Akamai’s purchase of Verivue (News - Alert) late last year.

Akamai’s newly announced integration of Verivue’s offering (Aura Lumen) and its launch of the capabilities as a service (Aura Spectra) for those requiring less is the latest evidence of the company’s efforts to equip a growing segment of service providers with far beyond basic video delivery capabilities.

The skyward climb in streaming video – live and on-demand – to multiple devices is the core driving force behind service provider need for robust and multi-faceted content delivery packages to help them keep pace with consumers in an ever-broadening broadband economy.

Limelight Pursuing Verizon (News - Alert)?

Limelight Networks is discussing being acquired by Verizon, according to a blog at Streamingmedia.com. Not all operators can justify and afford buying a CDN outright, but it wouldn’t be the first time. Interestingly, Edgecast Networks already licensed its CDN smarts to Verizon at the beginning of last year.

Limelight is an established power in this segment and possesses all the assets Verizon would seem to need to take video delivery to the next level. Verizon has vastly expanded its streaming video efforts over the last few years to a growing sea of devices, including a streaming service with Redbox.

Seeking CDN Solutions

So while you don’t want to refer to Akamai, Level 3 Communications (News - Alert), Limelight et al as CDNs – they really don’t like that – there are plenty of service providers around the world that seek all the pieces of a CDN in one package to better serve up streaming video to their business customer base.

Founded in 2007, Verivue’s OneVantage package offers all the CDN basics, along with full management functionality and analytics capabilities.

It’s crystal clear why Akamai (News - Alert) snapped up Verivue last year. Industry leader Akamai is already a fan favorite with enterprises of all sizes. In the background however, service provider demand to add CDN capabilities without becoming a full-fledged CDN operator has climbed. Akamai wants to fully address that need as well.

Not Your Father’s CDN

The companies like Akamai who were once focused on CDN basics have long since evolved beyond that service segment, as was evidenced by the company’s recent rollout of advertising capabilities for its customers, putting the business brains behind the technology brawn.

The moral of the story is that you don’t have to be a CDN to harness all the functionality that make up a CDN. Oh, and CDNs go by “platform provider” or “digital media solution” companies to reflect their fast-growing menu of products and service features.

Don’t call them CDNs, but if you think you need any of their video value products and skills, just call.