Redesigning the content delivery model

Emerging technologies are dramatically improving the content delivery network making them scalable, fast, secure, and cost-efficient

- ARJUN KALLAWAR

Content is king. Businesses that deliver content such as applications, video, or software downloads in an effective and optimised way, will have a greater impact than those who lag.

However, organisations can benefit from the content-led business strategy only if they have the delivery infrastructure in place. A content delivery network or CDN is a smart network of inter-connected servers that caches the requested content and delivers it to consumers in an efficient and accelerated manner. These high-performing CDNS are capable of delivering content across almost all industry verticals, including e-commerce and streaming platforms, as well as online gaming and social media networks.

No point guessing that globally the expectations from the CDN have been rising with the increase in the demand for these services. Fortunately, the CDN landscape is shaping up for some exciting transformations.

A BOOMING TRAJECTORY

According to a study conducted by Mordor Intelligence, the CDN market was valued at USD 11.76 billion in 2020.

It is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.30% and is projected to reach USD 49.61 billion by 2026. The study attributes much of its growth to a huge spike in demand for rich video content during COVID-19, the trend of digitalisation of businesses, and the increased use of social media.

THE GROWTH DRIVERS

One of the largest drivers of this growth is rising levels of over-the-top (OTT) video streaming consumption. Several factors such as improved and localised content as well as the improvements in supporting infrastructure like the adoption of 5G, and faster computing power of smartphones are worth mentioning.