Akamai Introduces Cloud-Based VPUs for High-Efficiency Video Streaming

Cloud computing platform Akamai has launched Akamai Cloud Accelerated Compute Instances, a new category of cloud-based compute powered by NETINT video processing units (VPUs).

This makes Akamai the first cloud provider to integrate VPUs, bringing specialised media transcoding hardware to cloud environments.

NETINT’s VPUs are engineered to enhance high-quality video streaming while significantly reducing costs and energy consumption. Akamai’s accelerated instances utilize Quadra T1U VPUs, supporting resolutions up to 8Kp60 in formats like AV1, HEVC, and H.264.

The hardware can encode 32 live streams at 1080p30 broadcast quality, offering a scalable solution for media companies handling video-on-demand and live streaming.

“By bringing traditionally hardware-confined power to the cloud, we’re removing barriers that have held businesses back. Companies can now cut costs, scale seamlessly, and deliver better streaming experiences—solving a major industry challenge that’s been overlooked for too long,” said Jon Alexander, VP of Product Management at Akamai.

Previously, NETINT’s VPU technology was only available for on-premises or colocation facilities. With Akamai’s cloud-based offering, media companies can now access high-performance video processing without the need for major infrastructure investments.

VPUs enable companies to offload compute-intensive video processing from CPUs, delivering up to 20 times greater throughput compared to traditional CPU-only solutions. This shift frees up computing resources for essential tasks like real-time speech-to-text captioning, de-interlacing, and dynamic packaging.

“VPUs are the ultimate cheat code for video streaming profitability. The cost of delivering massive volumes of video content with traditional software encoders is crippling. NETINT is proud to be the VPU engine inside Akamai’s Accelerated Compute Instances, bringing up to twenty times the throughput at a tenth of the cost compared to traditional industry platforms," said Randal Horne, Chief Revenue Officer at NETINT.

Akamai aims to position itself as the go-to cloud provider for media, targeting market segments often overlooked by hyperscalers. Its media services—trusted by all top 10 video streaming platforms—cover key areas like contribution, transport, transcoding, packaging, digital rights management, ad insertion, and content security.

Designed for openness and flexibility, Akamai’s cloud platform allows customers to customize workflows and integrate third-party solutions, while benefiting from low egress costs and NVIDIA GPU-powered transcoding.

Akamai Technologies, a leading global content delivery network (CDN) provider, is expanding its presence in cloud computing with a strong emphasis on edge computing infrastructure as a strategic differentiator.

The company plans to integrate cloud computing capabilities across its vast edge network through generalized edge compute, internally known as Gecko. This approach positions Akamai as a formidable cloud player, despite the market being dominated by hyperscalers. By bringing compute closer to customers, Akamai believes it can carve out a significant share in the cloud computing space.