P2P Enables Large-File Media Distribution

I was intrigued to see a press release today from PeerFactor, a French IT company, announcing a new system they are calling PeerFactor HD (for High speed Downloading), designed to give Web content providers a way to deliver large files quickly and at low cost. The system will use peer-to-peer (P2P) technology to decentralize file storage and delivery by employing the personal computers of hundreds of users across the Internet. Users will agree to allow their computers to function as file-distribution nodes in exchange for free games and music.

I found that news item intriguing in view of Robert X. Cringely's recent column, "Why P2P Is the Future of Media Distribution Even If ISPs Have Yet to Figure That Out." Cringely's article runs through some math showing (long story short) that, just to stream one iTunes-sized episode of "Desperate Housewives" to all 10 million households that normally watch the show on regular TV, all of "the OC-48 and OC-192 links used by Global Crossing, Sprint, MCI and others just might be enough," as long as you were to spread the downloads out over three days. And given the bandwidth necessary, Moore's Law is no help.

Cringely proposes PeerFactor-type P2P networks as the solution, and points to some companies operating in this space, including Network Foundation Technologies (NFT), Grid Networks and Peer Impact.

The following quotes from these company web sites give some more insight into the delivery models made possible by P2P content distribution:

"The GridNetworks PowerGrid Platform enables content owners to securely stream DVD-quality video across the Internet to broadband connected users. With this revolutionary platform, every computer and set top device becomes part of a content delivery grid, vastly improving delivery speeds, reliability and cost efficiency. The result is an 'instant on,' television-like experience, much like users have come to expect from traditional video-on-demand systems at a much lower cost and greatly improved quality."
-- Grid Networks

"The NFT Core implements a distributed broadcast network in which a viewer's computer can act not only as a receiver of a video stream, but also as a repeater - passing a copy of the stream on to one or two other viewers. In this way, NFT utilizes the uplink capacity of end-user DSL and Cable modems that would otherwise be unused. Stream integrity is assured by the NFT Core via its ability to automatically position the most capable repeater nodes in the most critical regions of the network and to reposition nodes that become unreliable to the edge of the network."
-- Network Foundation Technologies

"Wurld Media has a licensing and distribution arrangement with NBC Universal which will initially make Universal movies and NBC Universal television content available for rent to Peer Impact customers on demand. This agreement marks the first ever license of major studio content to a peer-to-peer service. Wurld also has digital distribution contracts with leading content providers, including the 'Big Four' music labels—Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and EMI—making it the first authorized peer-to-peer oriented network approved by these major content owners to distribute content. Furthermore, a relationship with Trymedia enables access to over 1,000 games and Wurld Media is in advanced negotiations for content agreements to include additional games, movies, videos, and audiobooks on the Peer Impact network."
-- Wurld Media (Owns Peer Impact)

AB -- 3/16/06