Company snapshot
| Category | CDNSun | Level3 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | defunct |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
CDNSun, founded in 2012, is a content delivery network provider based in Prague, Czech Republic. It offers services like website acceleration, video streaming, and software delivery through a network of over 50 points of presence (PoPs) worldwide. Its customer base includes businesses seeking cost-effective CDN solutions, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises. CDNSun emphasizes affordability with a pay-as-you-go model and a 15-day free trial. The service supports HTTP/2 and provides free shared SSL on its *.r.worldssl.net domain.
Level3, originally Level 3 Communications, was a multinational telecommunications and internet service provider that operated a global Tier-1 network and content delivery network (CDN) until its CDN services were discontinued in 2023. Acquired by CenturyLink (now Lumen Technologies) in 2017, it provided core transport, IP, voice, video, and content delivery for medium-to-large internet carriers. The CDN focused on video delivery, large object caching, and edge computing, serving clients across North America, Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Level3’s CDN is no longer active, and its network assets are now managed under Lumen Technologies.
Network & Architecture
CDNSun operates more than 50 PoPs across five continents, including locations in North America (e.g., Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas), Europe (e.g., Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London), Asia (e.g., Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo), South America (e.g., Sao Paulo), and Australia (e.g., Sydney). All edge servers use SSD drives for faster data access and have redundant connectivity to robust internet networks. The network supports global content delivery with a focus on reducing latency for websites and streaming services. Specific routing or peering details are not publicly disclosed, but the provider claims strong performance for global audiences.
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Feature comparison
| Feature | CDNSun | Level3 |
|---|---|---|
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
CDNSun uses a pay-as-you-go (payg) model with no monthly or setup fees. A 15-day free trial (free-tier) is available for all services. Pricing is transparent, with custom options for high-volume users, but specific per-GB rates are not publicly listed. SMB-friendly pricing targets smaller businesses. The official pricing page is https://cdnsun.com/pricing/.
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Integrations & DevEx
CDNSun offers an API-first approach for managing CDN services, including access to real-time logs. It provides integration support via a dashboard and API, with 24/7 technical support through email, phone, and live chat. No specific Terraform or CI/CD integrations are documented. The service includes tools for testing performance gains, such as ping tests and downloadable test files (1 MB and 20 MB).
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When it fits
- Small to medium-sized businesses needing affordable, pay-as-you-go CDN services with a free trial.
- Companies targeting global audiences with video streaming or software delivery needs.
- Developers seeking an API-driven CDN with real-time logs for monitoring.
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When it doesn’t
- Enterprises requiring advanced security features like WAF, DDoS protection, or bot mitigation.
- Businesses needing specialized edge compute, key-value storage, or advanced video features like DRM.
- Users prioritizing extensive integrations with Terraform, CI/CD pipelines, or specific cloud platforms.
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History & Notes
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Level3 was a major player in the CDN market, leveraging its Tier-1 network to deliver high-performance content delivery, particularly for video and large files. Its acquisition of companies like Genuity, WilTel, and TW Telecom expanded its footprint, but the 2017 merger with CenturyLink shifted focus to broader network services. The CDN’s shutdown in 2023 was part of Lumen’s strategic pivot, though specific reasons for discontinuation were not publicly detailed. Some network assets may still support Lumen’s non-CDN services.