CDN Japan has started distributing 100-150 broadband content programs to a quarter of a million home users in Japan from Tuesday.

A non-profit consortium established in March this year by Internet Initiative Japan, Oracle Japan and Cisco Systems, the company uses its its CDN-J Platform to distribute content. CDN Japan's distribution platform offers digital content control functions like authentication, billing, settlement and prevention of illicit use of content. It is an integrated platform system employing DRM (Digital Rights Management) technologies. Content transmission bandwidth is configured to 300kbps and 1Mbps.

According to an official release, broadband content providers will be able to enjoy CDN's services free for four months. CDN Japan also aims to help companies it does business with, expand viable revenue sources after April 2002, the release said.

The company's customers include MTV Japan, Sky Perfect Communications and Sony Communication Network. It has the support of Content ID Form, an institution for promoting global standards in content ID mechanisms. The company addresses issues vital to content distribution like network scale, quality-driven transmission technology and protection of content.

The company is also supported by IIJ's broadband network infrastructure (High Speed Media Network), which links mass broadband end users in Japan. IIJ's collaboration with CDN Japan helps it to promote the connectivity services of Japan's leading Internet-access and comprehensive Internet solution provider for regional broadband network operators.