Stef, Jet-Stream was one of the first companies to completely switch to its own cloud. What was the reason for that decision?

Stef van der Ziel: When we decided to build our own cloud years ago, we saw a number of challenges in the market. Public clouds didn’t offer the performance, control, and privacy we needed for high-quality streaming services. We wanted to have maximum control over costs, quality, latency and security, something that could be achieved much better with our own cloud.

What were the biggest technical benefits of this switch?

Stef: By developing our own cloud infrastructure, we were able to optimise the performance for video streaming. We set up the stack so that we could offer ultra-low latency and higher reliability than traditional platforms. In addition, it gave us the freedom to implement innovations without depending on external cloud providers.

How has this translated into benefits for customers?

Stef: Our customers benefit from a faster and more reliable streaming experience. We can provide customisation and are not bound by the restrictions or pricing models of third parties. This also means that we are transparent about costs and that we have no hidden fees or unexpected price increases. In addition, data remains completely under the control of the customer, which is essential for privacy and compliance.

Did the switch to your own cloud also bring financial benefits?

Stef van der Ziel: Absolutely. In the initial phase it was an investment, but in the long run we have realised huge cost savings. We no longer pay for expensive, variable costs from public cloud providers and have full control over our infrastructure. This means that we can scale more efficiently without increasing costs exponentially. For us and our customers, this results in lower operating expenses and a more sustainable business model.

What challenges did you encounter during this transition?

Stef van der Ziel: Building your own cloud is not an easy task. We had to invest in knowledge and infrastructure, and it was a learning process to organise everything as efficiently as possible. One of the biggest challenges was gaining knowledge and experience, and sometimes that also happens with trial and error. Scalability was also a point: how do we ensure that our platform can grow with demand?

How have you tackled these challenges?

Stef van der Ziel: We have put a lot of time into R&D and collaboration with specialists. It started with investigating which services we all purchased externally, mapping them and developing them in-house. In addition, we have optimised our software for efficiency and automation, so that we can deliver maximum performance with minimal overhead. It was a process of continuous testing, improvement and fine-tuning, but in the end we put in place a robust and scalable system, and we are continuously working on improvements in infrastructure, software, operations, and knowledge.

How did the market react to your choice?

Stef van der Ziel: In the beginning, our choice was seen as risky by some and it was even reacted skeptically. But now, years later, we see that the industry is increasingly moving towards European or its own infrastructures. So we were actually ahead of our time. Customers appreciate the sovereignty, stability, cost savings and transparency we offer. We are increasingly told that companies regret depending on large clouds and are now taking the same path we want to take.

What are the next steps for Jet-Stream and your cloud platform?

Stef van der Ziel: We continue to innovate in the field of more efficient codecs, smarter network technologies and algorithm-based optimisations. Our goal is to make streaming even faster, greener and safer.

Finally, what advice would you give to companies that have doubts about building their own cloud?

Stef van der Ziel: Don’t be afraid to take back control. Own infrastructure requires investment and expertise, but the long-term benefits – better performance, cost savings and independence – make it more than worth it. As a streaming company, our own cloud is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.

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