Cloud, 4K Ultra HD Video For Level 3

April 7th, 2014 by · 3 Comments

There have been two key video announcements at the NAB event out in Las Vegas for Level 3. Given how dominant video bits are when it comes to overall internet traffic these days, it’s a reminder of just how much more there could be in a few years.

Today they unveiled a cloud-based solution for storing, moving, and delivering both broadcast and internet video around the world. It takes advantage of both Vyvx and their CDN business while mixing in that large but oft forgotten colocation footprint Level 3 has always had.  Given the necessary scale and on-demand nature of the video processing business, this sort of thing has always been a natural for the cloud.

And late last week, Level 3 teamed up with Elemental Technologies to demonstrate the latest bandwidth-devouring streaming codec, 4K Ultra HD, at NAB. Using HEVC and MPEG-DASH, the two hope to prove that the higher resolution streams are a viable medium for content today, or at least soon enough to get started with.

After a strong fourth quarter, Level 3 has been letting its enterprise growth do the talking lately.  But their footprint has always been one built for the massive traffic potential of video, even if it was originally expecting the tidal wave about a decade sooner.  Now if only we can re-figure out the world of network interconnections.

If you haven't already, please take our Reader Survey! Just 3 questions to help us better understand who is reading Telecom Ramblings so we can serve you better!

Categories: Content Distribution · Internet Backbones · Internet Traffic · Video

Join the Discussion!

3 Comments So Far


  • Crowe the Charlatan says:

    Yawn. When will LVLT hit $100 share damnit! I need a new mansion.

  • Ben Graham says:

    When will Google Fiber buy Level 3?

  • schmuckinsurance says:

    With netflix amazon, microsoft(xbox greenlighted more prgramming this week as well), Disney’s $1bn acquisition of 4 youtube channels and now yahoo rolling out original programming, it would seem the window may be opening here for programming entities not wed to buying cable tv real estate.

    I have to think that is good for the services Rob highlighted. For the industry & L3, I am sure they are happy to see good existing customers getting into a new business where customer concentration is such a risk.

Leave a Comment

You may Log In to post a comment, or fill in the form to post anonymously.





  • Ramblings’ Jobs

    Post a Job - Just $99/30days
  • Event Calendar