Accenture has reached an agreement to acquire Ookla, the globally recognized company known for tools like Speedtest, Downdetector, Ekahau, and RootMetrics. The deal strengthens the consultancy’s position in an increasingly strategic area: the use of network data, analytics, and user experience to help businesses, operators, and major cloud providers optimize infrastructures that are becoming more critical for AI, enterprise Wi-Fi, private 5G, and low-latency digital services.
While Accenture has not disclosed the purchase amount in its statement, Ziff Davis, the current owner of the connectivity division integrating Ookla, has announced that the deal is valued at $1.2 billion in cash. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, and Ziff Davis will continue operating the business until the deal is formally completed in the coming months.
A Acquisition That Goes Beyond Speedtest
For the general public, Ookla is often associated with Speedtest, one of the world’s most popular tools for measuring internet speed, and Downdetector, widely used for checking online service outages. However, the true value of the acquisition extends far beyond these two brands. Accenture is also acquiring Ekahau, which specializes in Wi-Fi network design and diagnostics, and RootMetrics, focused on testing and analyzing mobile performance and connectivity.
This combination aligns with a broader shift in the market. Networks are no longer seen solely as a technical support element but as an infrastructure directly tied to business outcomes. If an app fails, if a wireless connection degrades a customer’s experience, or if a private 5G network underperforms in an industrial setting, the impact is no longer just technical: it affects revenue, productivity, security, and reputation. That’s why Accenture aims to strengthen its position in a layer that was previously more associated with manufacturers, telecom operators, or highly specialized firms in observability and telecom engineering.
Accenture itself frames the deal within this logic. The company argues that data from network, device, and application layers is increasingly valuable for reliably deploying AI and building more resilient digital services. Their view is that this intelligence can be applied across traditional telecom sectors, banking, utilities, retail, cloud, and connected work environments. In less commercial terms, the message is clear: those with better visibility into connectivity performance will have a significant advantage in service enhancement, proactive issue detection, and infrastructure investment planning.
Why Network Data Matters So Much in the AI Era
The acquisition comes at a time when companies are rapidly advancing AI, automation, and advanced analytics projects, yet also depend more than ever on stable, high-quality networks. Having powerful models and cloud applications is not enough. Connectivity must keep pace, especially in environments with distributed data centers, edge computing, complex corporate campuses, connected factories, or thousands of devices operating in real time.
In this context, Ookla brings a rare asset: a massive database of real-world network and service performance data. According to Accenture, its platform supports over 250 million consumer-initiated tests each month, collecting more than 1,000 attributes per test. Additionally, it includes capabilities for controlled testing in motion and fixed locations, plus technical data from network design and troubleshooting in enterprise networks. Together, this provides insights into service quality, radio frequency, and user experience—three layers especially useful when moving from “everything seems to work” to “we know exactly how it works and where it fails.”
For Accenture, this data foundation can become a valuable component in its offerings to communication service providers, hyperscalers, and large enterprises. For operators, it aids in performance benchmarking, planning investments, and optimizing networks. In large cloud platforms, it enhances understanding of infrastructure resilience and access quality. And in companies with private Wi-Fi or 5G networks—particularly in mission-critical environments—it can be critical for designing better coverage and resolving issues more precisely.
What Accenture Gains Compared to Ziff Davis
From a business perspective, the deal has clear financial implications. Ziff Davis has stated that its connectivity division generated $231 million in revenue in 2025, accounting for about 16% of its total sales. Selling this division allows it to monetize a significant asset and reallocate resources to other areas within its digital portfolio, while Accenture acquires a new product line and a data set that can complement its consulting, operations, and digital transformation services.
There is also a strategic positioning aspect. Accenture is not just acquiring software or a well-known consumer brand. It’s gaining insight into how the internet behaves across millions of points and a suite of tools that enable conversations with clients not only about digital strategy or AI, but also about real-world performance metrics, service outages, Wi-Fi quality, and connectivity experience. In a market where AI is becoming embedded in all processes, this measurement layer adds significant value.
Ookla, for its part, brings a solid track record. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Seattle, with around 430 specialists in software engineering, radiofrequency, and data science, the company has built a strong position in network intelligence over the years. Its integration into Accenture could expand its commercial reach among large corporations and government agencies, though it remains to be seen how much its products like Speedtest or Downdetector will evolve for end users. For now, the only confirmed detail is that Ziff Davis will continue operating the business until the transaction is fully completed.
Beyond the headline, the deal reflects a broader trend: in the digital economy, having applications, clouds, and AI models is no longer enough. You also need to accurately measure the network infrastructure supporting everything. That’s exactly where Accenture believes Ookla can give it a competitive edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What companies and products are part of Accenture’s acquisition?
The acquisition includes Ziff Davis’s connectivity division, which encompasses brands like Ookla, Speedtest, Downdetector, Ekahau, and RootMetrics. It’s not just about Speedtest but a comprehensive suite of tools for network measurement, analysis, and design.
How much is Accenture paying for Ookla?
Accenture has not disclosed the price in its statement, but Ziff Davis has announced the deal amounts to $1.2 billion in cash, subject to adjustments and standard closing conditions.
Why is Ookla so valuable in the expanding AI landscape?
Because AI increasingly relies on reliable networks, low latency, and good connectivity experiences. Ookla’s data enables performance measurement, incident detection, network comparison, and data-driven decision-making for investments and operations.
Will Speedtest or Downdetector change after the acquisition?
No specific changes have been announced for users at this time. Ziff Davis will continue to operate the division until the transaction is finalized, and the official communications focus on deploying these capabilities within Accenture’s enterprise offerings.