Metaswitch Networks
Metaswitch Networks is a UK-based provider of cloud native communications software — including session border controllers, IMS cores, telephony application servers, and unified communications — sold primarily to fixed, mobile, and converged communications service providers worldwide through direct enterprise sales and channel partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersEnfield, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Metaswitch Networks does
Metaswitch Networks is a UK-headquartered (Enfield) provider of cloud native communications software for fixed, mobile, and converged communications service providers (CSPs) globally. Its portfolio spans the voice core and adjacent layers: Perimeta (a cloud-native session border controller validated at 20M concurrent subscribers and a perfect 100 NPS), Clearwater Core (cloud-native IMS), MetaSphere CFS/EAS (fixed-line call feature server), MetaSphere QCall (STIR/SHAKEN robocall authentication), Rhino (open telephony application server), MaX UC (mobile-native unified communications), Fusion Core (cloud-native 4G/5G packet core for private LTE/CBRS), and MetaView NMS / Service IQ for management and assurance. The technology stack is built on microservices, containers, and the proprietary Quicksilver development platform, with deployment options across on-premises, private, public, and hybrid clouds and integrations with Microsoft Teams (Direct Routing, Operator Connect), Microsoft Azure, VMware, and major orchestrators.
Metaswitch monetizes primarily through enterprise software licensing (recurring) augmented by professional services for network design, migration, and deployment, plus 24/7 support (NPS 57). Go-to-market is a hybrid of direct enterprise field sales to tier-1 and regional carriers (AT&T, Sprint, Vodafone, Orange, TalkTalk, KCOM, Liquid Telecom, Orange Egypt, Spark, etc.) and channel partnerships (notably a global HPE reseller agreement, Dell EMC for Composable Network Protocols, and siticom for Germany), with cloud trials available via Azure Marketplace. The company serves 750+ service providers worldwide and reached a 25M business subscriber milestone in March 2019 (No. 2 per Synergy Research Group).
Historically founded in 1981 (previously known as Data Connection), Metaswitch was acquired by Microsoft in 2017, operated as a covered subsidiary, and was acquired by Alianza on March 4, 2025 to combine Metaswitch's high-performance software with Alianza's cloud communications platform for service provider modernization and AI-enabled service delivery. No external venture or private equity funding rounds were disclosed; the company is currently privately held under Alianza.
Metaswitch Networks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Metaswitch Networks
- Legal name
- Metaswitch Networks Ltd
- Website
- https://metaswitch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Metaswitch Networks is a UK-based provider of cloud native communications software — including session border controllers, IMS cores, telephony application servers, and unified communications — sold primarily to fixed, mobile, and converged communications service providers worldwide through direct enterprise sales and channel partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Metaswitch Networks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecom Network Software
- NAICS
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cloud Connectivity & Interconnect (Cloud On-Ramps, IX, Cross-Connects) (HDAIAFAF)
Keywords
Where Metaswitch Networks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Enfield
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Metaswitch Networks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licensing: Core network software products licensed to service providers for deployment in their networks. Includes virtual network functions (VNFs) for voice, IMS, SBC, and other communications services. Licensing models include VM-based licensing and distributed capacity management.
- Professional Services: Network design, deployment, installation, commissioning, migrations, training, and custom professional services. Professional Services team designs and deploys networks.
- Support Services: 24/7 customer care and ongoing support services. Net Promoter Score of 57 for support organization with 77% of customers reporting better support than any other vendor.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Metaswitch Networks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Metaswitch Networks develops and licenses cloud native communications software for communications service providers, including virtualized session border controllers, IP Multimedia Subsystem cores, telephony application servers, unified communications platforms, and network management solutions. Its products power voice, data, VoLTE, VoWiFi, 5G, and unified communications services for fixed, mobile and converged operators globally, deployed on-premises or in private, public and hybrid clouds.
Product overview
Metaswitch Networks is a cloud native communications software provider offering a full-stack portfolio of Voice Core, Unified Communications, and Management products. The core Voice Core includes Perimeta SBC (cloud-native session border controller), MetaSphere CFS/EAS (call feature server for fixed-line voice), Clearwater Core IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem), MetaSphere QCall (STIR/SHAKEN robocall blocking), and Fusion Core (4G/5G packet core for private LTE). The Unified Communications portfolio includes MaX UC (mobile-native UC&C with multi-persona capabilities) and Accession Communicator. Management solutions include MetaView NMS (network management) and Service IQ (service assurance). The Rhino Open Service Creation Platform enables extensible application development via APIs. These products work together as a comprehensive cloud-native communications software stack spanning edge, core, applications, and management orchestration layers, all integrated with Microsoft Teams through Perimeta SBC for Operator Connect and Direct Routing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Perimeta: Cloud native session border controller
- Clearwater Core
- MetaSphere
- MaX UC
- Rhino
- MetaView
- Service IQ
- Accession
Products and services
- Perimeta Session Border Controller (SBC) Cloud native virtualized session border controller providing signaling and media distribution for large-scale rich communications services, targeting communications service providers.
- MetaSphere CFS and EAS Call Feature Server and Enhanced Application Server platform for delivering fixed-line local calling and long distance voice services in modern telephone networks, for service providers.
- Clearwater Core IMS Cloud native IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core platform for massively scalable deployments, combining OTT-style service economics with telco-grade standards compliance for service providers.
- MetaSphere QCall STIR/SHAKEN compliant robocall mitigation solution enabling network operators to authenticate calls and combat robocalling and telephone scammers.
- MaX UC Mobile-native Unified Communications and Collaboration (UC&C) solution with multi-persona and group collaboration capabilities for mobile operators and their business subscribers.
- Fusion Core Cloud native Packet Core delivering connectivity options in 4G and 5G deployments including private LTE using CBRS spectrum, optimized for IoT applications and edge deployments.
- Rhino Open Service Creation Platform / Telephony Application Server Extensible open telephony application server and service creation platform allowing operators and third-party developers to create new applications via APIs and SDKs for network and service evolution.
- MetaView NMS Network Management System providing comprehensive network monitoring, analytics and troubleshooting for communications service architectures.
- Service IQ Service assurance and analytics platform providing deep network insight to enhance quality-of-experience and reduce time to repair.
- Composable Network Protocols (CNP) Composable network protocol portfolio for white box switches including IP routing and MPLS networking stacks, resold by Dell EMC for software disaggregation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Clearwater Core validated at 20M concurrent subscribers, 5,544 registrations/second, 15,000 call attempts/second, 1.7M concurrent calls with zero traffic loss in node failure scenarios
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Metaswitch Networks
Customer profileNamed customers21 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Metaswitch Networks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature10 records
Metaswitch Networks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional, major and flagship.
- AlianzacoreOn March 4, 2025, Alianza announced the completion of its acquisition of Metaswitch from Microsoft. This strategic acquisition combines Metaswitch's ultra-high-performance cloud native communications software with Alianza's platform to help service providers modernize networks, transition to AI-powered cloud-based communications solutions, and accelerate growth in services revenue.
- siticomregionalStrategic reseller agreement to deliver innovative hybrid cloud solutions for private 5G/LTE networks addressing Industry 4.0 market in Germany.
- VodafonemajorConducted industry's first 5G Wireless Wireline Convergence tests. Cloud native Access Gateway Function proved viability of path for converged broadband access to 5G core, simplifying broadband service delivery.
- Transaction Network Services (TNS)majorJoint offering of Call Guardian Authentication Hub combining TNS analytics and robocall detection with Metaswitch's STIR/SHAKEN-compliant MetaSphere QCall solution for robocall prevention. Combines TNS visibility into 1 billion+ cross-carrier call events daily with Metaswitch's inter-carrier call authentication.
- Microsoft AzuremajorMetaswitch Fusion Core for Private LTE demonstrated on Microsoft Azure as part of Microsoft Azure capabilities for private LTE. Tight integration with Microsoft's networking and edge connectivity solutions for seamless configuration and provisioning.
- CommScope (Ruckus)majorIntegration with CommScope's Ruckus CBRS-based RAN solution as part of the Private LTEaaS solution demonstrating end-to-end enterprise connectivity.
- VMwaremajorCollaboration enabling automated telco core infrastructure. Fully automated solution from Metaswitch with VMware technology sharply reduces operational costs for telecom operators.
- Dell EMCmajorDell EMC resells Metaswitch Composable Network Protocols (CNP) combining IP routing and MPLS networking stacks with Dell EMC OS10 Open Edition on ONIE-enabled platforms for true software disaggregation in data center and wide-area networks.
- HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise)flagshipComprehensive global reseller agreement through which HPE integrates Metaswitch core network software products including Clearwater IMS core and Perimeta SBC with HPE's virtual network functions and management platforms. Joint go-to-market for end-to-end virtualized VoLTE, VoWiFi and advanced communications services.
- CloudifymajorPartnership to automate NFV management and orchestration (MANO) for global operators. Metaswitch OEMs Cloudify's VNFM capabilities for delivery of its VoLTE TAS, vSBC and vIMS VNFs, collaborating closely on customer engagements and bridging gaps in operators' NFV MANO systems.
- OrangemajorOrange selected Metaswitch Rhino platform as framework for Open Service Gateway (OSG) enabling deployment and interworking of fixed and mobile voice, messaging, video and data services. Initially deployed in Orange Egypt.
- AffirmedmajorJoint demonstration of Metaswitch VoLTE and MaX integration with Affirmed Service Activation Platform (ASAP) for VoLTE services at Mobile World Congress.
- IBMmajorMetaswitch IMS Solution (Perimeta vSBC and Clearwater vIMS) integration with IBM Agility Lifecycle Manager service orchestrator demonstrated at Mobile World Congress.
- Interop TechnologiesmajorInterop Technologies integrated Metaswitch cloud native communications products including Rhino TAS and Service Assurance Server with its CorePlus platform for hosted VoLTE and VoWiFi offerings.
- Telia CompanymajorJoint issuance of guide to Cloud Native VNF Operational Automation addressing design and operation of NFV networks, selection and creation of VNFs, and operational aspects of virtualized networks.
- NeustarmajorMetaswitch first to complete STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication tests in ATIS Robocalling Testbed hosted by Neustar Trust Lab, working collaboratively on interoperability challenges and best practices.
- ATIS (Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions)majorMetaswitch first vendor to complete tests of STIR/SHAKEN solution in ATIS Robocalling Testbed, implementing both IETF STIR standard and ATIS/SHAKEN framework for robocall mitigation.
- SprintmajorSprint deployed Metaswitch products and technologies enabling accelerated development and deployment of advanced mobile communication services. Cloud technologies enable compelling new services to be deployed faster and at lower cost.
- AT&TflagshipAT&T selected Perimeta SBC to power portion of carrier's software-centric network connecting LTE traffic with other carriers' networks via VNFs as part of AT&T's goal to virtualize 75% of its network by 2020.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Metaswitch Networks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cisco: Cisco's BroadWorks and Webex Calling directly compete with Metaswitch's MetaSphere, MaX UC, and Clearwater IMS in the same service provider voice and unified communications category.
- Oracle: Oracle's Acme Packet Session Border Controllers directly compete with Metaswitch's Perimeta SBC in tier-1 carrier SBC deployments, including in the same global operator RFPs.
- Mavenir: Mavenir provides cloud-native IMS, packet core, and SBC software to communications service providers, directly overlapping Metaswitch's Clearwater IMS, Perimeta SBC, and Fusion Core portfolios.
- AudioCodes: AudioCodes sells SBCs, voice networking, and Microsoft Teams voice solutions to service providers and enterprises, directly overlapping Metaswitch's Perimeta SBC and Teams Direct Routing business.
- Ribbon Communications: Ribbon's SBC and UC solutions directly compete with Metaswitch's Perimeta SBC and MetaSphere portfolio in fixed, mobile, and converged service provider networks.
Broad incumbents
- Ericsson: Ericsson offers an end-to-end telecom portfolio including cloud packet core, IMS, and UC (including Vonage) that competes broadly with Metaswitch's voice core, IMS, and UC&C offerings.
- Nokia: Nokia's cloud core, IMS, and 5G packet core products overlap with Metaswitch's Clearwater IMS and Fusion Core, addressing the same tier-1 operator transformation deals.
- HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise): HPE is both a major reseller of Metaswitch's core network software and a broader telecom infrastructure provider whose VNF/management platforms compete for the same operator transformation budgets.
Others
- Alianza: Alianza is Metaswitch's parent company as of March 2025 and provides a cloud-hosted communications platform serving the same service provider customers, making it both owner and an adjacent platform peer.
Emerging players
- Affirmed Networks: Affirmed Networks (now part of Microsoft) offers cloud-native 5G core and vEPC solutions that overlap with Metaswitch's Fusion Core and Clearwater IMS in mobile operator modernization.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Metaswitch Networks social profiles
Digital presenceMetaswitch Networks compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Metaswitch Networks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Metaswitch Networks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Metaswitch Networks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Metaswitch Networks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Metaswitch Networks
What does Metaswitch Networks do?
Metaswitch Networks develops and licenses cloud native communications software for communications service providers, including virtualized session border controllers, IP Multimedia Subsystem cores, telephony application servers, unified communications platforms, and network management solutions. Its products power voice, data, VoLTE, VoWiFi, 5G, and unified communications services for fixed, mobile and converged operators globally, deployed on-premises or in private, public and hybrid clouds.
Is Metaswitch Networks a public or private company?
Metaswitch Networks is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Metaswitch Networks founded?
Metaswitch Networks was founded in 1989. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Metaswitch Networks based?
Metaswitch Networks is headquartered in Enfield, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Metaswitch Networks make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing is the primary driver. The others are professional Services and support Services.
Who are Metaswitch Networks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cisco, Oracle, Mavenir, AudioCodes and Ribbon Communications. Broad incumbents are Ericsson, Nokia and HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise). Alianza is listed as an others. Affirmed Networks is listed as an emerging player.
Does Metaswitch Networks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Metaswitch Networks.
What industry is Metaswitch Networks in?
Metaswitch Networks's product category is Telecom Network Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAFAF, Cloud Connectivity & Interconnect (Cloud On-Ramps, IX, Cross-Connects). Its NAICS code is 5171 and its SIC code is 4813.