Company snapshot

CategoryAkamaiSingtel
Statusactiveactive
Founded
Headquarters
Website
Docs

Overview

Akamai, founded in 1998, operates one of the largest global Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), serving high-traffic websites, media streaming, and enterprise applications. The company delivers content through its Intelligent Edge Platform, which also provides security and edge computing capabilities. Akamai serves major clients like Kuaishou Technology and iQiyi, handling up to 30% of global web traffic. Its solutions cater to industries requiring low-latency content delivery, robust cybersecurity, and scalable cloud services. While historically focused on CDN, Akamai has shifted toward security and cloud computing, with these segments now driving two-thirds of its revenue.
Singtel, a Singapore-based telecommunications company founded in 1879, provides a range of services including mobile, broadband, and digital infrastructure solutions. Its CDN offerings are part of its Digital InfraCo unit, which focuses on delivering connectivity and data center services across the Asia-Pacific region. Singtel serves enterprise customers, including businesses in finance, technology, and government sectors, leveraging its regional network for reliable content delivery. The company’s infrastructure supports 5G, edge computing, and data centers under its Nxera brand, with a focus on APAC markets. Singtel has recently consolidated its consumer and enterprise businesses to drive synergies and growth.

Network & Architecture

Akamai maintains over 325,000 servers across 4,100+ points of presence (PoPs) in more than 135 countries, offering extensive global coverage. Its network leverages advanced routing and peering for low-latency delivery, with strong presence in North America, EMEA, APAC, and a licensed operation in China. Regional limitations include the planned cessation of CDN services in mainland China by June 30, 2026, with transitions to partners like Tencent CDN and Wangsu Science & Technology. Akamai’s architecture supports high-throughput applications like gaming and video streaming, with optimized edge caching and load balancing.
Singtel operates a regional network with points of presence (PoPs) primarily in APAC, including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Australia. Its infrastructure includes subsea cables and satellite carrier services, enhancing connectivity across ASEAN markets. The company has shifted focus to AI-ready data centers under Nxera, with over 62MW of capacity in Singapore and plans to expand to 200MW across APAC. While strong in APAC, Singtel’s global footprint is limited compared to providers like Cloudflare or Akamai. Its network benefits from peering agreements and 5G integration, but specific PoP counts are not publicly detailed.

Feature comparison

FeatureAkamaiSingtel
waf
bot_mitigation
ddos
rate_limit
http3_quic
tls13
tiered_cache
origin_shield
instant_purge
stale_while_revalidate
stale_if_error
image_optimization
video_vod
video_live
drm
hls_dash_packaging
websockets
signed_urls
edge_compute
functions
kv_storage
api_first
realtime_logs
log_push
terraform

Legend: ✓ = Supported, ✗ = Not supported, — = Not listed

Pricing

Akamai operates an enterprise-only pricing model with committed contracts tailored to large-scale deployments. No public per-GB pricing is disclosed, and there is no free tier or PAYG option for smaller users. Pricing details require contacting Akamai’s sales team for custom quotes. For more information, see https://www.akamai.com/pricing.
Singtel’s pricing model is enterprise-focused, typically involving custom contracts rather than pay-as-you-go or public per-GB rates. No free tier or trial is advertised. Specific pricing details are not publicly available, and interested customers must contact Singtel directly for quotes. For more information, visit https://www.singtel.com/business/products-services/digital-infraco.

Integrations & DevEx

Akamai supports API-first workflows with extensive REST APIs for configuration and management. Its DataStream and Log Delivery Service provide real-time logs and analytics for monitoring. While Terraform support is not natively offered, Akamai’s CLI and SDKs (Python, Java, etc.) enable integration with CI/CD pipelines. Migration tools are available for transitions, such as from Edgio or Lumen Technologies, as seen in recent customer contract acquisitions. Real-time analytics and RUM are supported through Edge Analytics and mPulse.
Singtel’s CDN integrates with its Paragon platform, supporting API-driven management for 5G and edge services. Real-time logs are available for performance monitoring. There is no public documentation confirming Terraform support, SDKs, or CI/CD integrations. Migration tools or import capabilities are not explicitly advertised, suggesting a focus on bespoke enterprise integrations.

When it fits

  • Enterprises needing a global CDN for high-traffic websites, gaming, or media streaming with robust security (WAF, DDoS, bot mitigation).
  • Organizations requiring edge computing for serverless functions or low-latency data processing with EdgeWorkers and EdgeKV.
  • Businesses operating in China needing a licensed CDN provider (until June 2026) with established local partnerships.
  • Enterprises needing robust CDN services in APAC, particularly in Singapore, Indonesia, or Thailand.
  • Businesses leveraging Singtel’s 5G and edge infrastructure for regional applications.
  • Organizations seeking custom enterprise contracts with a telecom-backed provider.

When it doesn’t

  • Small businesses or startups seeking pay-as-you-go or free-tier CDN options, as Akamai focuses on enterprise contracts.
  • Users prioritizing China-based CDN after June 2026, as Akamai is exiting this market and transitioning to partners.
  • Teams needing native Terraform support or simpler DevEx for smaller-scale deployments, as Akamai’s tools target complex enterprise needs.
  • Companies requiring a global CDN with extensive PoPs outside APAC, where providers like Cloudflare excel.
  • Small businesses or startups looking for pay-as-you-go pricing or free tiers.
  • Applications needing advanced features like WAF, DDoS protection, or video streaming, which are not clearly offered.

History & Notes