Inktomi Hits FastForward With Software Acquisition

Foster City, Calif.-Internet-infrastructure magnate Inktomi Corp. said it will put up $1.3 billion in stock to snare FastForward Networks, which owns a software platform that monitors and charges users for access to live Internet broadcasts.

FastForward-which counts RealNetworks Inc. and Digital Island Inc. as customers-said its platform can support "millions" of viewers and "thousands" of simultaneous Internet broadcasts.

When the deal closes in December, FastForward will be folded into Inktomi's media division and be led by FastForward cofounder Abhay Parekh.