Company snapshot
| Category | NTT Communications | Uploadcare CDN |
|---|---|---|
| Status | defunct | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
NTT Communications, a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, provided a content delivery network (CDN) through its Smart Data Platform, powered by EdgeCast, offering global content delivery for enterprises. The service, launched in 1999, supported various industries with robust network infrastructure until its deprecation in 2025. Following the sale of Edgio’s CDN business, NTT Communications announced the shutdown of its CDN platform, with services ceasing on January 15, 2025. Customers were advised to migrate to Akamai to maintain CDN functionality.
Uploadcare CDN, part of Uploadcare, is a file management platform and content delivery network designed for web and mobile applications. It specializes in handling file uploads, processing, and delivery, with a focus on media optimization for images and videos. The service caters to developers and businesses, offering tools for content creators and engineers. Its customer base includes startups, SMBs, and enterprises needing efficient media workflows. Uploadcare is headquartered in Palo Alto, USA, and has been operational since 2011.
Network & Architecture
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Uploadcare CDN operates a global network, though specific details on the number of Points of Presence (POPs) are not publicly disclosed. The platform leverages a multi-vendor CDN approach to ensure reliable content delivery across regions, including North America, EMEA, APAC, and others. It integrates with major cloud providers for storage and processing, optimizing for low-latency delivery of media assets. The architecture is developer-centric, prioritizing API-driven workflows and seamless integration with web and mobile apps.
Feature comparison
| Feature | NTT Communications | Uploadcare 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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Uploadcare CDN uses a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model with a free tier for low-volume users. Paid plans start at $20/month, with per-GB pricing for CDN traffic and storage. For example, the Regular plan includes 100 GB of CDN traffic for $49/month. A free tier offers limited monthly CDN traffic, suitable for testing or small projects. Enterprise plans are available for custom needs. Full details are at https://uploadcare.com/pricing/.
Integrations & DevEx
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Uploadcare provides a REST API and webhooks for programmatic control, with SDKs for JavaScript, Python, and other languages. Its React Uploader component simplifies file uploads in React applications. Real-time logs are available for monitoring, and instant purge is supported via API. No Terraform or CI/CD pipeline integrations are documented. The platform includes a dashboard for managing files and monitoring usage, aimed at developers and content teams.
When it fits
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- Small to medium businesses needing a developer-friendly CDN for media-heavy web or mobile apps.
- Projects requiring robust image optimization and video-on-demand delivery with simple API integration.
- Teams on a budget leveraging the free tier or PAYG pricing for low-to-moderate traffic.
When it doesn’t
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- Enterprises needing advanced security features like WAF, DDoS protection, or bot mitigation, which are not offered.
- Applications requiring live video streaming, DRM, or complex edge compute capabilities.
- Organizations needing detailed network transparency or extensive POP coverage, as specific network details are limited.
History & Notes
NTT Communications leveraged its telecom expertise to deliver CDN services, primarily targeting enterprise clients in Asia and globally. The partnership with EdgeCast enabled features like instant purge and real-time logs, but the service’s reliance on Edgio led to its discontinuation after the 2024 asset sale to Akamai. Some customers may still access archived documentation or support through NTT’s sales channels during the transition period.
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