Affirmed Networks
Affirmed Networks built cloud-native network function virtualization software that let telecom operators virtualize core network functions and deliver 5G services via cloud; it was acquired by Microsoft in March 2020 and now operates as a subsidiary within Azure for Operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersActon, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Affirmed Networks does
Affirmed Networks is a cloud-native network function virtualization (NFV) vendor founded in 2010 and headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts. The company builds virtualized core network functions — including gateway, rich application, and content delivery services — purpose-engineered for telecom operators transitioning from appliance-based infrastructure to software-defined 5G networks. Its technology enables mobile operators to virtualize core network workloads and deliver them via cloud, reducing hardware dependencies and accelerating time-to-market for new services.
The company served a single primary customer segment: telecom service providers and mobile network operators deploying 4G/5G core infrastructure. Affirmed raised approximately $155M across seven funding rounds between 2010 and 2019, with strategic investments from tier-1 carriers Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone (both repeat investors) and from Qualcomm Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, CRV, Lightspeed, Matrix and Centerview Capital. It employed between 101 and 250 people at acquisition and operated a B2B enterprise sales motion; product pricing was not publicly disclosed.
In March 2020 Microsoft acquired Affirmed Networks to integrate its NFV stack into Azure for Operators, positioning Affirmed's technology as the cloud-native 5G delivery layer for Microsoft's telecom cloud offering. Post-acquisition, Affirmed operates as a wholly-owned Microsoft subsidiary, and its standalone revenue, go-to-market, and funding trajectory are no longer independently disclosed.
Affirmed Networks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Affirmed Networks
- Website
- https://affirmednetworks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Affirmed Networks built cloud-native network function virtualization software that let telecom operators virtualize core network functions and deliver 5G services via cloud; it was acquired by Microsoft in March 2020 and now operates as a subsidiary within Azure for Operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Affirmed Networks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecom Network Virtualization Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- NFV Infrastructure (NFVI), Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) & Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNFs) (HDAIAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- NFV Infrastructure (NFVI) (HDAFANAB), Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) (HDAFANAA), Virtualized EPC/5GC Core (vEPC/v5GC) (HDAFANAD), Virtual & Cloud Routing (vRouters/CNF Routing) (HDAFABAF)
Keywords
Where Affirmed Networks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Acton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Affirmed Networks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Affirmed Networks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Affirmed Networks develops cloud-native network function virtualization (NFV) solutions for mobile network operators and telecom service providers. Its platform virtualizes core network functions such as the Evolved Packet Core, enabling operators to deliver 4G and 5G services on cloud infrastructure rather than proprietary hardware. The offering is aimed at helping carriers reduce capital expenditure, accelerate service rollout, and scale network capacity for next-generation mobile services.
Product overview
Affirmed Networks was acquired by Microsoft in March 2020 to support 5G network delivery via cloud. No specific product portfolio details are available from the provided sources. The company's website displayed a verification/loading page, and no product documentation, feature pages, or marketing materials were accessible at the time of data collection.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cloud-Native NFV Platform for Mobile Networks
Companies that use Affirmed Networks
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Affirmed Networks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Affirmed Networks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Affirmed Networks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mavenir: Mavenir is a pure-play provider of cloud-native network software for telecom operators, including vEPC, 5GC, vRAN, and packet core — the most direct competitor to Affirmed's NFV/5G core business on a product and customer basis.
- Metaswitch: Metaswitch was acquired by Microsoft in 2020 alongside Affirmed Networks, providing virtualized network functions and session border controllers to operators; highly comparable as a Microsoft-telco-cloud peer with overlapping NFV/voice-core focus.
Broad incumbents
- Ericsson: Ericsson offers a broad telecom equipment portfolio including cloud-native 5G core, NFVI, and BSS, with deeply entrenched relationships among tier-1 mobile operators globally — the largest incumbent Affirmed competes against for 5GC and NFV deals.
- Nokia: Nokia provides end-to-end telecom network solutions including cloud-native 5G core (CorePaaD), AirFrame NFVI hardware, and packet core — directly overlapping with Affirmed's vEPC/5GC and NFVI offerings as part of a much broader portfolio.
- Cisco: Cisco's Network Services Orchestrator (NSO), Ultra Packet Core, and NFVI platforms target the same operator virtualization opportunities as Affirmed, though as part of Cisco's broader networking and service-provider business.
- Huawei: Huawei offers a full telco cloud and 5G core stack (including 5GC, NFVI, and MANO) and competes directly for 5GC wins, particularly outside North America and parts of Europe where Affirmed is barred or constrained.
- Juniper Networks: Juniper provides NFV/SDN infrastructure, Contrail networking, and 5G transport solutions to operators; comparable as an incumbent vendor addressing service-provider virtualization, though with a stronger transport/networking emphasis.
- Samsung Networks: Samsung Networks supplies 5G RAN, core, and cloud-native solutions to operators including vRAN and packet core, and is an established incumbent in 5G — competing against Affirmed particularly in Asia and North American operator accounts.
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE): HPE's telco division offers NFV infrastructure (OpenNFV), HPE GreenLake telco cloud, and 5G core solutions in partnership with vendors, overlapping with Affirmed's NFVI and operator cloud deployment footprint.
Emerging players
- Parallel Wireless: Parallel Wireless focuses on OpenRAN and cloud-native cellular solutions for operators, addressing the same cloud-native telco transformation as Affirmed but with a stronger emphasis on disaggregated RAN rather than core.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Affirmed Networks social profiles
Digital presenceAffirmed Networks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Affirmed Networks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Affirmed Networks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Affirmed Networks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Affirmed Networks
What does Affirmed Networks do?
Affirmed Networks develops cloud-native network function virtualization (NFV) solutions for mobile network operators and telecom service providers. Its platform virtualizes core network functions such as the Evolved Packet Core, enabling operators to deliver 4G and 5G services on cloud infrastructure rather than proprietary hardware. The offering is aimed at helping carriers reduce capital expenditure, accelerate service rollout, and scale network capacity for next-generation mobile services.
Is Affirmed Networks a public or private company?
Affirmed Networks is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Affirmed Networks founded?
Affirmed Networks was founded in 2010. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Affirmed Networks based?
Affirmed Networks is headquartered in Acton, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Affirmed Networks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mavenir and Metaswitch. Broad incumbents are Ericsson, Nokia, Cisco, Huawei, Juniper Networks, Samsung Networks and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). Parallel Wireless is listed as an emerging player.
Does Affirmed Networks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Affirmed Networks.
What industry is Affirmed Networks in?
Affirmed Networks's product category is Telecom Network Virtualization Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAIAB, NFV Infrastructure (NFVI), Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) & Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNFs), with a secondary code of HDAFANAB, NFV Infrastructure (NFVI). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 3576.