Akamai vs. Speedera (ThinkSecret)

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From ThinkSecret (http://www.thinksecret.com/news/speedera.html):

Apple using Speedera for some content delivery
By Nick dePlume, Publisher and Editor in Chief

May 19, 2003 - Over the course of the last several months, a number of Think Secret readers have noted that Apple has been using Speedera Networks Inc. for a portion of its content delivery needs.

A variety of downloads on Apple's Web site and service/support pages have been found using the host origin "apple.speedera.net." The downloads have included software and OS updates, as well as firmware patches.

What's unclear is why Apple is making use of Speedera in these cases, and not Akamai Technologies Inc. Apple has past ties to Akamai, which is used widely for Apple's data acceleration, including the Apple Web site and images, QuickTime TV streaming, and software downloads.

Crimeny, has ThinkSecret really gone this far down hill? Can't they find anything worthwhile to report on?

Here's my respons to them:

It's a simple issue. Cost. We use both Akamai and Speedera at my company, and often play them off of each other to get the better price. Apple is in business too, and regardless of their ties to Akamai they will opt for the cheaper vendor in many cases, which is all they are doing right now.

Akamai has better technology, speedera has better bandwidth, therefore you use each for it's strength. When you don't need the technology, go for the price.

Duh. It ain't really that much of an issue.