Akamai versus Level 3

Akamai versus Level 3: how do these content delivery network providers differ? This is a question many potential CDN customers ask themselves as they search for the best content delivery network for their needs. Both are highly popular networks, with a diverseAkamai versus Level 3 cdn array of customers from around the globe, making them attractive choices. With some many CDN networks available, and new providers entering the market every month, this sort of endorsement can make a real difference to potential content delivery network customers.

In this short article, I’m going to explore the key differences between the Akamai and Level 3 content delivery networks and hopefully answer the Akamai versus Level 3 question.

Akamai versus Level 3: Network

Both of these CDNs have high performance global networks with a very broad reach. Akamai, long touted as one of the world’s leading CDN providers and operator of amongst the globe’s most comprehensive, networks ensures their customers are particularly well connected. Akamai’s network is both owned and operated by the company and consists of 100,000 servers in over 80 countries around the world, covering all the world’s continents, with the exception of Antarctica.

Level 3 are equally well placed to serve their customers with a leading web acceleration experience. Their backbone network, also owned and operated by the company themselves, consists of over 64 points of presence across North America, South America, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania and Asia.

Akamai versus Level 3: Customers

As is to be expected from world leading CDN providers, both companies have big name companies on their books as customers. Akamai’s customers include MTV Networks, NASA, Audi, the Red Cross, Airbnb, Airbus, Apple, Ney York Post and BMW.

Level 3, on the other hand, cater to customers including Fox, Netflix, Comcast, Microsoft and CNN.

Akamai versus Level 3 cdnAkamai versus Level 3: Technology

The backbone of Akamai’s CDN offering is a high-speed network with many forms of optimisation, including TCP connection optimisation, pre-fetching and route optimisation.

The Level 3 content delivery network is built upon a stable foundation that enables easy scalability, allowing bandwidth demands to be met quickly and easily across the entire Level 3 global network.