The whole world is inching towards 5G and Microsoft doesn’t want to be left behind. Well, Microsoft is set to acquire Affirmed Networks – a company that delivers fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network solutions and specializes in 5G technology.
Microsoft to acquire Affirmed Networks
Microsoft wants to empower the telecom industry and provide both network equipment manufacturers and operators with 5G network solutions that reduce operational costs. Furthermore, the company also wants to create new revenue-generating services.
In his official blog post, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Azure Networking, Yousef Khalidi wrote:
“At Microsoft, we intend to empower the telecommunications industry as it continues its move to 5G and support both network equipment manufacturers and operators in their efforts to find solutions that are faster, easier and cost-effective.”
From self-driving cars to virtual reality (VR), 5G or fifth-generation wireless networks has many industry-level applications. 5G will also play a very important role in the planning and implementation of smart cities across the globe.
Microsoft believes 5G networks will help the company create new capabilities and market opportunities.
Interestingly, Microsoft’s core business remains in software, something the company wants to benefit from in helping the network equipment manufacturers and operations advance 5G.
In a nutshell, Microsoft wants to put its software expertise to some good use in delivering 5G network solutions. This way, the company aims to enhance network speed and security and reduce the costs to a significant extent.
How Microsoft will benefit from this acquisition?
As far as the acquisition of Affirmed Networks is concerned, Microsoft is looking to expand its focus area in the telecommunications industry. Microsoft’s main goal is to offer a secure and trusted cloud platform for operators:
“With Affirmed Networks, we will be able to offer new and innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of operators, including managing their network workloads in the cloud.”
With this acquisition, Microsoft wants to expand the reach and presence of its cloud computing platforms like Microsoft Azure. The company wants network operators to use Azure to deploy and maintain 5G networks.
