Akamai has announced that it now supports variably high quality bit rate streaming to deliver high quality video for the iPhone and iPod touch. The feature was one of the key items in the new iPhone 3.0 OS update that was recently unveiled.

Support for streaming to the iPhone is part of the Akamai Media Delivery solution. The company has teamed with broadcasters including Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Discovery, FOX News, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, MTV, NPR, Turner Sports and USA TODAY.

The variable bit rate streaming allows users to get HQ video with faster start up times and reduced video buffering. “Apple’s extensive support for new web standards like HTML 5 and HTTP streaming of live and on-demand video to the iPhone and iPod touch has transformed the quality of video content that consumers can now view while mobile,” said Tim Napoleon, Chief Strategist Digital Media at Akamai. “To be able to watch video anytime, anywhere at a quality this high is nothing short of amazing.”

Via Akamai