Short Take: Rhythms strikes caching partnership

Rhythms NetConnections, a digital subscriber line (DSL) provider, has signed a partnership with the recently merged Digital Island/Sandpiper. Under the deal, Digital Island/Sandpiper will sell high-speed Internet access from Rhythms to its customers and Rhythms will "co-locate" local content caching and distribution equipment from Digital Island/Sandpiper in the regional telephone central office locations in which Rhythms leased space. The deal is intended to speed Web content and software application distribution on the Rhythms network.