Rethinking the CDN
How i3D.net Powers Video at the Interactive Edge
Voices of Video Stefan Ideler from i3D.net
What if your infrastructure provider acted more like a partner than a platform?
In this episode of Voices of Video, Mark Donnigan sits down with Stefan Ideler, CTO and co-founder of i3D.net, to unpack how one of the world’s most advanced networks is rethinking what it means to scale video, gaming, and interactive workloads in a hybrid world.
From their roots in ultra-low latency game hosting to powering emerging AI and video workflows, i3D.net has quietly built a global Edge network that does more than move packets. Stefan shares insights on:
- Why hybrid cloud is now driven by economics, not just flexibility
- How the gaming industry’s scaling problems are shaping modern video infrastructure
- The role of VPUs, GPUs, and ASICs in the next-gen data center
- What it really takes to break free from vendor lock-in and cloud cost spirals
- The unexpected role of network cards in AI and security
If you're navigating the future of distributed compute, video encoding, or building something interactive that just can’t lag - this one’s for you.
Stefan Ideler, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at i3D.net
Stefan Ideler is the Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at i3D.net, where he leads pioneering efforts in global connectivity, infrastructure scaling, and software development for gaming and enterprise solutions. With over 20 years of experience in infrastructure, networking, and game services, Stefan has been at the forefront of the industry’s evolution—from the early days of consumer-hosted game servers to today’s always-online orchestration platforms powering live games worldwide.
Previously serving as CTO until March 2024, Stefan chose to return to his innovation roots to focus on developing next-generation technologies and fostering a culture of experimentation. Passionate about remote collaboration, performance optimization, and security, he drives initiatives that enhance efficiency and culture across distributed teams. A graduate of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Stefan remains deeply committed to pushing the boundaries of network and cloud innovation.
Mark Donnigan - Head of Strategic Marketing at NETINT Technologies
Mark Donnigan is the Head of Strategic Marketing at NETINT Technologies, where his extensive experience and innovative approach have significantly contributed to the company's growth and industry standing. With a background that combines deep technical understanding and strategic marketing expertise, Mark has been instrumental in positioning NETINT as a leader in ASIC Video Processing Units (VPUs) for ultra-high density video encoding and streaming. His work at NETINT involves not just promoting the brand and its products but also shaping the future direction of the video streaming and encoding market.