Microsoft's Grab of Affirmed Networks Boosts 5G Mobile Wares

Microsoft is buying Affirmed Networks to boost its software-defined networking (SDN) support, particularly for mobile operators. The move comes as 5G next-generation wireless technologies are being rolled out in initial stages. The announcement characterized the SDN approaches offered by Affirmed Networks as being more flexible than hardware solutions used by mobile operators. Previous generations of wireless networks have been based on purpose-built hardware," Microsoft said. "We believe that with innovation in software and by making use of broadly available cloud computing platforms like Microsoft Azure, operators can deploy and maintain 5G networks and services more efficiently, more cost effectively, more rapidly and more securely.