Company snapshot
| Category | Level3 | OnApp CDN |
|---|---|---|
| Status | defunct | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
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 Level3’s CDN is no longer active, and its network assets are now managed under Lumen Technologies.
OnApp CDN is a federated content delivery network designed for hosting providers, utilizing spare capacity in OnApp Clouds to deliver content globally. It supports HTTP push, pull, and streaming/live streaming, catering to hosting providers and enterprises managing web content delivery. The platform integrates with OnApp Cloud, enabling users to leverage a network of edge servers for improved performance. It is primarily used by service providers and enterprises needing scalable CDN solutions. The service is operational as of August 16, 2025, with recent updates enhancing its reporting capabilities.
Network & Architecture
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OnApp CDN operates a global network of Points of Presence (PoPs) by leveraging spare capacity from OnApp Clouds, though specific PoP counts are not publicly detailed. It uses a federated model, combining edge servers from multiple cloud hosts to ensure broad geographic coverage. The platform supports content delivery across regions including North America, EMEA, APAC, and others, with synchronization between CDN and OnApp Cloud occurring every 20 minutes by default. Regional strengths include flexibility for hosting providers, but limitations may arise from reliance on third-party cloud capacity, potentially affecting consistency in less dense regions.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Level3 | OnApp CDN |
|---|---|---|
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
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OnApp CDN primarily targets enterprise clients, with pricing typically based on committed contracts tailored to hosting providers. No public per-GB pricing is disclosed, and there is no free tier or pay-as-you-go (PAYG) option widely advertised. Pricing details are available through direct inquiry with OnApp sales teams. For more information, visit https://www.virtuozzo.com/onapp-cdn/.[](https://www.virtuozzo.com/onapp-cloud-docs/7.0/release-notes-onapp-6-4/OnApp%2520CDN.pdf)
Integrations & DevEx
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OnApp CDN offers API-first integration for managing CDN resources, with documentation available at https://docs.onapp.com/cdn/. Real-time logs support monitoring, but there is no public evidence of Terraform support, SDKs, or specific CI/CD integrations. The platform includes tools for managing CDN resources within the OnApp Control Panel, with recent UI updates enhancing usability. Migration tools or import capabilities are not explicitly documented.
When it fits
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- Hosting providers needing a federated CDN integrated with OnApp Cloud for scalable content delivery.
- Enterprises requiring video VOD and live streaming with global reach through a network of edge servers.
- Users prioritizing API-driven management and real-time logging for CDN operations.
When it doesn’t
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- Small businesses or startups seeking pay-as-you-go pricing or free tiers, which OnApp CDN does not offer.
- Organizations needing advanced security features like WAF, DDoS protection, or bot mitigation, which are not documented.
- Users requiring edge compute, image optimization, or specific protocol support like HTTP/3, which are unsupported.
History & Notes
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.
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