Case Study: OpenStreetMap achieves faster, more reliable map delivery with Fastly

How OpenStreetMap uses our modern CDN to push near-instant updates worldwide

OpenStreetMap (OSM), the open-source global mapping project, needed a way to deliver frequently updated map tiles and weekly data exports quickly to users worldwide. Its custom-built CDN struggled with regional server availability, slow tile loading, limited visibility, and a major traffic spike during the 2019 London Marathon app launch, prompting OSM to look for a better solution from Fastly.

Fastly provided OSM with CDN delivery and the control to use custom Varnish Configuration Language (VCL) logic to filter invalid requests and route traffic more efficiently. As a result, OSM reduced load on its servers, decommissioned older hardware, improved map load times, and gained better observability and preparedness for unexpected demand. Users saw faster, smoother map rendering, and OSM is now able to focus more on core mapping work and new features like localized maps.

OpenStreetMap

Ian Dees

OpenStreetMap