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.

Sunset timeline

  • 1968: Founded as Century Telephone Enterprises, later rebranded to CenturyLink and then Lumen Technologies in 2020.
  • 2017: Acquired Level 3 Communications, expanding its CDN and network capabilities.
  • October 10, 2023: Sold select CDN customer contracts to Akamai, marking its exit from the CDN market.
  • January 2024: Began shutting down its CDN network, with the NFL Wild Card game on Peacock being its last major event.
  • Post-October 2023: Operated under a 90-day transition services agreement with Akamai to facilitate customer migration.

Migration guidance

Customers using Lumen’s CDN services should migrate to alternative providers, as Lumen has fully exited the CDN market. Akamai is a primary choice for former Lumen customers, as it acquired Lumen’s CDN contracts and offers robust global CDN services with features like instant purge and real-time logs. Other alternatives include Cloudflare for developer-centric needs or Amazon CloudFront for storage-backed solutions. Customers should review their specific needs (e.g., video delivery, global reach) and consult Akamai for transition details, as no official Lumen CDN documentation remains active.

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)