Global technology consulting firm Accenture has acquired Ziff Davis’s Connectivity division, a deal valued at $1.2 billion in cash. The acquisition includes popular internet performance tools Speedtest and Downdetector, along with network intelligence brands Ekahau and RootMetrics. This strategic move, announced on March 3, 2026, aims to significantly enhance Accenture's capabilities in network intelligence and support its clients' artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure needs. The transaction is expected to finalize in the coming months, pending standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals.[techspot+5]
Accenture Strengthens Network Intelligence for AI Era
Accenture is integrating Ookla's portfolio of network measurement and outage tracking platforms into its services to provide deeper insights for clients. The company plans to use the acquired data and expertise to help communications service providers, large cloud providers, and enterprises optimize their Wi-Fi and 5G networks. Accenture views network telemetry as crucial for the AI era, as more workloads move to the edge and real-time applications demand low latency.[techspot+2]
Julie Sweet, chair and CEO of Accenture, highlighted the importance of robust network performance in today's digital landscape. "Modern networks have evolved from simple infrastructure into business-critical platforms," Sweet said. "Without the ability to measure performance, organizations cannot optimize experience, revenue, or security. By acquiring Ookla, we will help our clients across business and government scale AI safely and build the trusted data foundations they need to deliver the reliable, seamless connectivity that creates value". Manish Sharma, chief strategy and services officer at Accenture, added that the Ookla portfolio will offer "end-to-end network intelligence services essential for AI-based transformation".[lowyat+1]
The Connectivity division's tools are widely used globally. Speedtest, for example, captures over 1,000 attributes per test and sees more than 250 million consumer-initiated tests each month. Downdetector tracks service outages across thousands of digital platforms, providing real-time incident detection. Ekahau specializes in designing and troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks, while RootMetrics measures real-world mobile network performance. The division employs roughly 430 experts in areas like software engineering and data science.[techspot+5]
Ziff Davis Shifts Focus to Core Media Brands
For Ziff Davis, the sale represents a strategic decision to concentrate on its core media businesses. The company, which owns popular websites like IGN and Mashable, will use the proceeds from the sale for general corporate purposes and to manage its debt obligations.[techspot+1]
Vivek Shah, CEO of Ziff Davis, described the deal as transformative. "This is a transformative deal for Ziff Davis, representing a significant realization of value for our shareholders and a concrete illustration of the quality of the businesses in our portfolio," Shah stated. Ziff Davis originally acquired Ookla in 2014 for $15 million, marking a substantial return on its investment. The Connectivity division generated $231 million in revenue in 2025, accounting for approximately 16% of Ziff Davis's total sales.[investor+2]
Future Impact on Network Performance and AI
Accenture's acquisition positions it to offer clients a comprehensive suite of tools for understanding and optimizing their digital infrastructure. The integration of Ookla's extensive real-time data will allow Accenture to provide enhanced benchmarking, faster incident detection, and better-targeted infrastructure spending for its clients. This move underscores the growing importance of network performance data, not just for telecommunications but across all industries, as businesses increasingly rely on robust connectivity for their AI and cloud strategies.[techspot+1]
The deal is a clear signal that network intelligence, once primarily a consumer utility, has become a strategic asset for enterprise AI infrastructure. Accenture expects to finalize the acquisition in the coming months, following regulatory reviews. The integration will likely see Ookla's data become a foundational element in Accenture's advanced analytics and AI deployment services, helping organizations ensure reliable and seamless connectivity in an increasingly data-driven world.[techbuzz+2]
