Verizon announced, through Amazon, that it will be using AWS (Amazon Web Services) as its primary cloud data partner for its OATH service. Amazon noted that Oath is going to expand its use of AWS by “continuing to migrate legacy workloads and building new cloud-based applications across its portfolio of dozens of media and technology brands”. Oath is a subsidiary of Verizon, which combines its Yahoo and AOL properties along with Go90. It’s essentially Verizon’s media arm. AWS already hosts a number of Oath’s partners including AOL.com, HuffPost and Tumblr to name a few.
Amazon Web Services is one of the premiere cloud data services available right now, with many larger companies using the service to host its content. This includes the likes of Netflix, Capital One, Choice Hotels, AutoDesk and many more. AWS isn’t just for media storage, but also for running other services, like AutoDesk, which makes software for its customers. AWS is a very popular service, and is in tight competition with Google Cloud, and getting a customer like Verizon’s Oath is a pretty big deal.
With Verizon using AWS for its Oath properties, it’s going to mean faster speeds for streaming media like movies and TV’s through its service, but it should also mean better up-time, especially during heavy traffic periods. This is something that has become an issue with many other streaming services, including DIRECTV NOW and Sling TV, especially during big TV events like the Super Bowl where everyone is looking to stream the same thing at the same time. And by outsourcing the storage to Amazon, these services are able to be more reliable without their services lagging behind. AWS has become the next big thing for Amazon, aside from its retail business. Which is a good thing, as Amazon is getting hit more on its retail business from other competitors as well as the government. And competing with Google is no small feat that Amazon is doing pretty well.