Company snapshot
| Category | Lumen Technologies | Mlytics |
|---|---|---|
| Status | defunct | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
Lumen Technologies, formerly CenturyLink, was a telecommunications company that provided content delivery network (CDN) services until October 2023, when it sold select CDN customer contracts to Akamai. The company has since exited the CDN business to focus on enterprise connectivity, fiber infrastructure, and AI-driven network solutions. Its CDN services were used by enterprises and media companies, notably for events like the NFL Wild Card game on Peacock.
Mlytics is a Singapore-based MultiCDN platform founded in 2017, specializing in AI-driven traffic steering to optimize web and video streaming performance. It aggregates multiple CDN providers, routing traffic based on real-time performance metrics. The platform serves businesses needing global content delivery, particularly in video streaming and markets like China. Mlytics integrates with major CDNs like Akamai, Cloudflare, and Amazon CloudFront. It is recognized for its analytics and security features, catering to enterprises and developers. Customers include Fortune 500 companies and video streaming providers.
Network & Architecture
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Mlytics operates a global network with over 214 points of presence (PoPs) and 30,000+ real user monitoring (RUM) nodes, with a strong presence in APAC, China, India, Southeast Asia, and emerging markets. Its proprietary decision engine uses AI to route traffic to the fastest available CDN based on latency and availability. The platform supports access to China without an ICP license, leveraging partnerships with local providers. Specific peering details are not publicly disclosed. Limitations may include less coverage in Africa and Latin America compared to larger providers like Akamai.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Lumen Technologies | Mlytics |
|---|---|---|
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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Mlytics operates a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model with flexible pricing plans, allowing businesses to scale usage without long-term commitments. No public per-GB pricing is available, but cost savings of up to 25% are claimed via the CDN Marketplace. A free trial is offered for testing the platform. Enterprise plans include 24/7 support and custom configurations. For detailed pricing, visit https://www.mlytics.com/pricing/.
Integrations & DevEx
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Mlytics supports API-driven integrations, including the Mlytics MCP Server for managing CDN sites and DNS records. Real-time logs and analytics are available through a unified dashboard, simplifying multi-CDN management. The platform offers real user monitoring (RUM) and synthetic monitoring for performance tracking. No Terraform or CI/CD-specific tools are documented. Migration tools support seamless transitions from other CDNs, with expert assistance to minimize downtime.
When it fits
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- Businesses needing Multi-CDN for video streaming, especially in APAC and China markets.
- Enterprises seeking AI-driven traffic steering with real-time analytics and RUM.
- Developers requiring an API-first platform with flexible, PAYG pricing.
When it doesn’t
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- Organizations needing extensive edge compute or serverless functions, which Mlytics does not offer.
- Companies focused on regions like Africa or Latin America, where coverage is less robust.
- Users requiring advanced video features like HLS/DASH packaging or DRM, which are not supported.
History & Notes
Lumen’s CDN operations were part of its broader telecommunications portfolio, leveraging its global fiber network. The decision to sell its CDN contracts to Akamai aligned with a strategic shift toward enterprise fiber, AI infrastructure, and network-as-a-service offerings. The transition was completed smoothly under a 90-day agreement, with no reported service disruptions during the handoff. For further details, see the official press release: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lumen-announces-sale-of-select-cdn-customer-contracts-to-akamai-301951303.html[](https://ir.lumen.com/news/news-details/2023/Lumen-announces-sale-of-select-CDN-customer-contracts-to-Akamai/default.aspx)
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