How Accenture-Ziff Davis Deal Boosts AI Infrastructure Firms

Ziff Davis has sold its Connectivity division to Accenture for US$1.2bn in a strategic move that could reshape how AI infrastructure providers, cloud platforms and enterprises measure and optimise the network foundations that underpin AI workloads.

The Ziff Davis Connectivity division spans globally recognised brands in fixed broadband, mobile and Wi‑Fi network design, intelligence, testing and incident detection, including Ookla, Speedtest, Ekahau, Downdetector and RootMetrics.

These platforms help service platforms and enterprises optimise networks, elevate digital experiences and ensure the reliable, low-latency connectivity that AI systems increasingly depend on.

In 2025, Connectivity generated US$231m in revenue, which constitutes around 16% of total Ziff Davis revenues.

Value realisation for shareholders

For Ziff Davis, the deal doubles down as a a value‑realisation event.

"This is a transformative deal for Ziff Davis, representing a significant realisation of value for our shareholders and a concrete illustration of the quality of the businesses in our portfolio," says CEO Vivek Shah. 

"I would like to thank our colleagues at Connectivity for building a terrific business that delivers best-in-class network intelligence and optimisation solutions to service providers, enterprises and regulators all around the world.

"The Connectivity team is thrilled at the prospect of joining Accenture, a leading global solutions and services company."

​The company plans to use proceeds for general corporate purposes and to fund its capital allocation activities, in line with the terms of its outstanding debt securities.

Network intelligence for transformation

For Accenture, the embedding of network intelligence into AI‑driven transformation programmes for cloud providers, in addition to machine learning at scale by AI infrastructure operators, are essential services by Ookla.

Ookla's data platform captures more than 1,000 attributes per test and is anchored by over 250 million consumer‑initiated tests per month, supplemented by controlled drive, walk and embedded testing.

As AI workloads, edge computing and specialised AI infrastructure become core to digital business operations, this blend of quality of service, RF signal and quality of experience data could become increasingly critical.

​"Modern networks have evolved from simple infrastructure into business-critical platforms," says Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture.

"Without the ability to measure performance, organisations cannot optimise 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, frames the portfolio as entirely necessary amid a competitive market:

"Speedtest and RootMetrics define the experience, Downdetector identifies incidents faster and Ekahau drives digital workplace transformation through superior Wi-Fi.

"In an era of omni-channel and agentic access, low-latency, zero-friction connectivity is a competitive necessity – and these tools give enterprises the power to build the high-performance environments they need."

Implications for AI infrastructure providers

For AI infrastructure providers and cloud platforms, autonomous, data‑rich networks could become integral for capital planning and operational efficiency.

Accenture aims to use combine Ookla's measurement and benchmarking assets, combined with AI, to support real‑time planning, predictive simulations and cost optimisation across large‑scale infrastructure.

Hyperscalers and cloud providers gain deeper telemetry to protect the resilience of AI infrastructure and edge data centres that now host a growing share of inference workloads.​

Enterprises deploying AI systems are set to benefit, thanks to tighter integration between network design and broader AI transformation programmes.

Ekahau's specialised hardware and software for Wi‑Fi and private 5G design, combined with Accenture's consulting and managed services, can help organisations design, test and troubleshoot the mission‑critical connectivity that AI applications require.

"With the Ookla portfolio, we will offer end-to-end network intelligence services essential for AI-based transformation," Manish adds.

Stephen Bye, CEO of Ookla, notes: "Joining Accenture will allow us to scale our premiere network data business across the world's largest enterprises and accelerate our goal of creating better connected experiences.

"Our combined capabilities will enable us to more effectively serve CSPs, AI infrastructure providers, edge data centres and enterprise networks. Together, we will redefine how the world measures, understands and experiences connectivity."

Ziff Davis will continue to own and operate the Connectivity division until the deal's completion.