Key Impacts
- Supports global audience without additional infrastructure
- 130% increase in total number of streams delivered
- 40% increase in student satisfaction
- Reduces time to market for new degree programs
- Ensures uninterrupted Web operations
- Alleviates stress, instills confidence in Web services
- Upholds esteemed reputation
In 1986, Columbia Video Network (CVN) was established as the off-campus learning arm of Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. From its beginning with just six students to its current program of seven Master’s programs offered to more than a thousand students around the world, CVN has become a recognized leader in distance learning worldwide. However, making the learning experience real across multiple geographies didn’t come easily. Originally, CVN relied on Columbia University’s hosting and serving infrastructure—but quickly realized that high quality courses delivered via broadband formed the future of distance learning, and a more robust and reliable streaming solution was needed.
Deploying Akamai Streaming enabled CVN to leverage the global reach of the Akamai network to serve rich content to students reliably and efficiently wherever they lived and worked, with no performance compromise even in less Internet-enabled areas. Removing performance concerns has enabled CVN to reach more students with more bandwidth-intensive course content, creating powerful online learning experiences and satisfied students. In fact, student satisfaction with CVN’s offerings has risen 40% since they implemented the Akamai solution, leading many to enroll for additional courses and earn their degree online. That’s the power of education—delivered with the power of Akamai.
"The quality of our streaming via Akamai directly affects our student satisfaction rate, which has risen 40% since we implemented the Akamai solution."
—Al Shahjahan, Associate Director, Columbia Video Network
