Company snapshot
| Category | CDNVideo | Level3 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | defunct |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
CDNVideo is a content delivery network provider founded in 2008, specializing in video streaming and content delivery services. Headquartered in Moscow, Russia, it serves a wide range of clients, including media companies, e-commerce platforms, and gaming businesses. The company operates a global network with a strong presence in Russia, EMEA, APAC, and China. CDNVideo focuses on delivering video-on-demand (VOD) and live streaming solutions, catering to businesses needing reliable content distribution. Its customers include broadcasters, OTT platforms, and enterprises requiring low-latency video delivery.
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 Level3’s CDN is no longer active, and its network assets are now managed under Lumen Technologies.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
CDNVideo operates over 100 points of presence (PoPs) across North America, Europe, Asia, and Russia, with a notable focus on the Russian market. Its network leverages partnerships with major ISPs and peering points to ensure low-latency delivery. The architecture supports video streaming with adaptive bitrate capabilities and is optimized for high-traffic scenarios. CDNVideo has a China-licensed CDN, enabling compliant content delivery in that region. Limitations include less extensive coverage in Latin America and Africa compared to larger providers like Cloudflare or Akamai.
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Feature comparison
| Feature | CDNVideo | 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
CDNVideo operates a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) pricing model with no long-term commitments. Pricing details are available on their official pricing page, though specific per-GB rates are not publicly disclosed without a quote. A free trial is offered for testing services. Volume discounts are available for high-traffic customers. https://www.cdnvideo.com/pricing
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Integrations & DevEx
CDNVideo provides an API-first platform for managing configurations and accessing real-time logs. Documentation is available for integrating with common CMS platforms and video players. It lacks native Terraform support or advanced CI/CD integrations compared to providers like Fastly. Migration tools are available for importing content from other CDNs, with support for standard protocols. Real-time analytics focus on video delivery metrics, such as buffering rates and viewer engagement.
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When it fits
- Businesses targeting Russia or China, where CDNVideo has strong regional presence and licensing.
- Media companies needing reliable video-on-demand or live streaming with RTMP ingest.
- Customers seeking a PAYG model with a focus on video delivery without complex edge compute needs.
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When it doesn’t
- Organizations requiring advanced edge compute, serverless functions, or key-value storage.
- Users needing extensive coverage in Latin America or Africa, where PoP density is lower.
- Enterprises prioritizing WAF, bot mitigation, or advanced analytics, which are not offered.
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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.