TOKYO (Reuters) - Web access provider Internet Initiative Japan Inc. said it is developing a new video and music distribution technology that lets users share files over the Internet more efficiently than older applications.
IIJ aims to roll out a pilot service from October, founder and president Koichi Suzuki told a press briefing on Tuesday. The service will use a peer-to-peer technology based on
the popular Winny file-sharing software developed in Japan.
Previous examples of such software include Napster and Gnutella.
"We want to distribute content that many people want to see but has been a burden for the network," Suzuki said without giving further details. He said that IIJ is also working on improving the technology to increase security.
IIJ was a pioneer in promoting the Internet in Japan in the 1990s. The company operates networks and offers IT solutions to firms such as Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Fuji Television Network Inc.. It also supplies networks in the United States.
Recently, Suzuki has questioned the rise of free Web-based services such as Skype and Usen Corp.'s video streaming because they enjoy a "free ride" on a network in which operators such as IIJ have invested heavily.
"Infrastructure should be managed with the expectation that there will be lots of content," Suzuki said. "But there is a need to question who will pay for the higher cost of distributing videos on the Internet than on radio waves."
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© Reuters
