Company snapshot
| Category | Lumen Technologies | StackPath |
|---|---|---|
| Status | defunct | defunct |
| 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.
StackPath was a content delivery network (CDN) and edge computing provider founded in 2015, offering services like content delivery, web application firewall (WAF), DDoS protection, and edge compute solutions. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, it served enterprises and SMBs with a focus on static content delivery and security. The company ceased all operations and liquidated assets in June 2024, following the shutdown of its CDN services in November 2023. Customers included media, gaming, and web application providers before its closure.
Network & Architecture
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Feature comparison
| Feature | Lumen Technologies | StackPath |
|---|---|---|
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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Integrations & DevEx
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When it fits
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When it doesn’t
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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)
StackPath emerged as a consolidator in the CDN market, acquiring MaxCDN (2016) and Highwinds (2017) to bolster its offerings. Its SecureCDN product included WAF and DDoS protection, appealing to media and gaming sectors. Despite raising ~$400M, challenges like management turnover, lack of product focus, and competitive pressures led to its CDN exit in 2023 and full liquidation in 2024. Some customers reported pricing increases and declining support pre-closure.