now TV Enhances and Secures Streaming for Mobile Subscribers with F5 Networks

F5’s Application Delivery Controller helps now TV intelligently manage on-demand traffic for subscribers in Hong Kong 

HONG KONG – February 3, 2015 – F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) announced today that now TV, Hong Kong’s leading pay-TV operator, has deployed F5’s Application Delivery Controller (ADC), creating a secure and intelligent IT environment for the business. The platform enables now TV to enhance video streaming for over a million subscribers on its OTT applications anywhere, at any time and on any device.

now TV has partnered with F5 for more than a decade and has implemented F5’s BIG-IP® products for traffic management and load balancing. With the proliferation of mobile device usage amongst Hong Kong consumers, the demand for on-the-go video streaming and the rise of sophisticated cyberattacks required an intelligent platform to manage the availability and securing of streaming traffic.

“From a technology perspective, we wanted to consolidate our streaming infrastructure and be able to manage a large stream of traffic, whilst protecting subscribers from cyber threats. F5 was the only vendor that had a strategic architectural approach to meet our various business concerns with a single point of control”, said Mr. Keith Huang, Vice President of Product Management, PCCW.

The pay-TV operator selected F5’s VIPRION 4480® and modular application services to optimize its network, enhance availability of applications, and secure its infrastructure.

Mr. Huang states, “The ability to create security controls integrated with now TV rule engine in run-time helps our IT to mitigate access issues and security threats in the streaming platform.”

Since deployment, the company has been able to reduce the number of servers and ADCs, manage and secure apps, and improve reliability of applications. Additionally, the company now has on-demand scalability to increase business flexibility and intelligence in network loading balancing and access control.

Overall, with F5 the company has reduced the level of complexity involved with dealing with vendors and is empowered to do more with less.

About now TV

now TV is one of the world's largest commercial deployments of IPTV and Hong Kong's largest pay-TV provider. It is delivered by PCCW Media Limited, the multimedia and entertainment subsidiary of PCCW Limited. PCCW also holds interests in telecommunications, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.

now TV offers the widest range of local and international content on its platform in Hong Kong. Its quality self-produced content includes two news channels and a diverse line up of entertainment and infotainment programmes. This is complemented by the best of Asian and international content and brands across news, entertainment, information and sports genres including the exclusive Barclays Premier League.

now TV's premium content can be accessed through linear TV channels, on-demand and via OTT companion apps while on the move. now TV can also be enjoyed on the eye devices provided by HKT, the telecommunications business of PCCW.

To learn more about now TV, please visit http://nowtv.now.com/. 

About F5

F5 (NASDAQ: FFIV) makes apps go faster, smarter, and safer for the world’s largest businesses, service providers, governments, and consumer brands. F5 delivers cloud and security solutions that enable organizations to embrace the application infrastructure they choose without sacrificing speed and control. For more information, go to f5.com. You can also follow @f5networks on Twitter or visit us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more information about F5, its partners, and technologies.

F5, BIG-IP, and Software Defined Application Services are trademarks or service marks of F5 Networks, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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