Microsoft Acquires Affirmed Networks for $1.35 Billion

On 26/03/2020, Microsoft announced a definitive agreement to acquire Affirmed Networks, a company specializing in fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network solutions. Microsoft did not disclose the financial terms, though multiple reports estimated the deal at approximately $1.35 billion. The acquisition was intended to expand Microsoft Azure’s capabilities for telecommunications providers and support deployment of next-generation 5G networks. Affirmed Networks developed a fully virtualized mobile core, often referred to as vEPC, which allows telecom operators to run network functions using software rather than dedicated hardware. This approach enables carriers to deploy services in hybrid cloud environments and scale network capacity more efficiently. Microsoft said integrating the technology into Azure would help mobile operators manage workloads, reduce infrastructure costs, and accelerate rollout of 5G services. At the time of the announcement, Affirmed Networks served more than 100 customers, including major telecom operators such as AT&T, Vodafone, Orange, and SoftBank. Microsoft stated that the acquisition would combine Affirmed’s mobile network technology with Azure’s cloud platform to support telecom providers transitioning toward cloud-based architectures and software-defined networking.