Akamai Technologies has launched Akamai Connected Cloud, a massively distributed edge and cloud platform for cloud computing, security, and content delivery that keeps applications and experiences closer and threats farther away, under the leadership of Adam Karon, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Akamai’s Cloud Technology Group. In building out Akamai Connected Cloud, Akamai is adding core and distributed sites on top of the same underlying backbone that powers its edge network today — spanning more than 4,100 locations across 134 countries.

Akamai announced three new enterprise-scale core cloud computing sites across the U.S. and Europe. Like Akamai’s existing 11 cloud computing sites, the new sites will plug into the Akamai backbone — connecting them to the most distributed edge network on the planet.

The new sites, which are expected to be live by the end of Q2 2023, will contain all of the cloud computing services acquired from Linode, the developer-friendly cloud infrastructure provider Akamai acquired in 2022. These also become the template for 10 additional core sites that Akamai plans to roll out across the globe throughout the year.

In addition to launching the new core sites, Akamai has identified more than 50 cities in which it plans to begin rolling out distributed sites this year, to bring basic cloud computing capabilities into difficult-to-reach locations currently underserved by traditional cloud providers.

The new pricing structure is able to use the power of Akamai’s network to drive down the cost of cloud egress by bringing CDN-like economics to cloud data transfer. According to the company, the new egress pricing model is designed to result in significantly discounted egress rates relative to the hyperscalers and alternative cloud providers.

Akamai also announced its qualified computing partner program, which is designed to provide Akamai customers with solution-based services that are interoperable with Akamai Connected Cloud.