Company snapshot
| Category | Arelion | Rackspace |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
Arelion, formerly Telia Carrier, is a global telecommunications provider based in Solna, Sweden, operating a tier 1 network with Autonomous System number AS1299. It offers fiber-based connectivity and IP services, including CDN solutions tailored for hosting and content delivery providers. The company serves wholesale customers, enterprises, and content providers like Facebook and CDNetworks. Its network spans over 77,000 km, connecting 350+ points of presence (PoPs) across 125 countries. Arelion focuses on high-capacity, low-latency connectivity for industries such as gaming, finance, and media.
Rackspace Technology, founded in 1998, offers a content delivery network (CDN) designed to accelerate content delivery by caching assets closer to users. The service integrates with Rackspace’s broader cloud offerings, including Cloud Files, and supports businesses needing reliable content distribution. It is primarily used by enterprises leveraging Rackspace’s managed cloud services, particularly those with complex infrastructure needs. The CDN is built to reduce server load and improve user experience through global content distribution.
Network & Architecture
Arelion operates a global fiber network with over 350 PoPs in more than 125 countries, covering Europe, North America, Asia, and Latin America. Its North American network accounts for 57% of its customer bandwidth, with 40% year-over-year growth. The company maintains direct connections to over 70% of global Internet routes, leveraging its tier 1 status for robust peering and routing. Recent expansions include new routes in Texas and Mexico, enhancing diversity and capacity. The network is monitored 24/7 from centralized Network Operations Centers, ensuring consistent performance. Regional strengths include Europe and North America, with growing presence in Latin America and Asia.
Rackspace CDN operates a global network with points of presence (POPs) across North America, EMEA, APAC, and Latin America, though specific POP counts are not publicly detailed. It leverages partnerships with major cloud providers and uses Akamai’s infrastructure for content delivery. The service is optimized for integration with Rackspace’s cloud storage but may have limited flexibility for standalone CDN use. Its global footprint ensures low-latency delivery for enterprise customers, with a focus on North America and EMEA.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Arelion | Rackspace |
|---|---|---|
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
Arelion’s pricing model is primarily enterprise-oriented, with custom contracts for wholesale and large-scale customers. No public per-GB pricing is available, and the company does not offer a free tier or pay-as-you-go plans. Pricing details are typically negotiated based on capacity and service requirements. For more information, visit https://www.arelion.com.
Rackspace CDN operates on an enterprise-only model, with pricing typically bundled into broader Rackspace cloud contracts. No public per-GB pricing is available, and there is no free tier or pay-as-you-go option. Custom pricing requires contacting Rackspace sales for quotes tailored to enterprise needs.
Integrations & DevEx
Arelion’s My Arelion portal supports Open APIs for accessing usage data, support tickets, and service management, enabling integration with customer systems. The portal includes BGP tools and allows self-service for ordering services like Cloud Connect and IP Transit. No specific support for Terraform or CI/CD pipelines is documented. Real-time logs are available through the portal, providing visibility into network performance and service status.
The CDN provides a robust API for managing services, with documentation available at https://docs.rackspace.com/docs/cdn. It supports programmatic control over caching, domains, and content refreshes. Real-time logs are available for monitoring, but there’s no public support for Terraform, SDKs, or CI/CD integrations. Migration tools are limited, primarily designed for integration with Rackspace’s Cloud Files.
When it fits
- Enterprises needing high-capacity, low-latency connectivity for content delivery across global markets.
- Wholesale customers requiring direct access to a tier 1 network with extensive peering.
- Businesses in Europe or North America seeking robust DDoS mitigation and API-driven service management.
- When it fits:
- Enterprises already using Rackspace’s cloud services, seeking seamless CDN integration.
- Businesses needing global content delivery with a focus on North America and EMEA.
- Teams requiring API-driven CDN management and real-time logging.
- When it doesn’t:
- Small businesses or startups looking for pay-as-you-go or free-tier options.
- Users needing advanced security features like WAF or DDoS protection.
- Organizations prioritizing edge compute or video-specific CDN capabilities.
When it doesn’t
- Small businesses or startups looking for pay-as-you-go or free-tier CDN options.
- Customers needing advanced edge compute, image optimization, or video-specific CDN features.
- Organizations prioritizing transparent, publicly available pricing without custom contracts.
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History & Notes
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