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Fierce Network reported that Lumen’s acquisition of Alkira expands the company’s reach into cloud-native networking by combining Alkira’s multi-cloud networking platform with Lumen’s global infrastructure and AI connectivity strategy. The article highlights Alkira’s role in creating a programmable control plane for secure, scalable cloud connectivity, helping enterprises simplify networking across clouds, data centers, and edge...

SDxCentral described Lumen’s $475 million acquisition of Alkira as a strategic move to create a unified, AI-ready networking platform that connects cloud, edge, and enterprise environments through a single programmable control plane. The article highlights Alkira’s cloud-native networking technology as a key enabler of simplified multi-cloud connectivity, helping position Lumen to deliver integrated networking services...

Light Reading highlighted Lumen’s acquisition of Alkira as a major step toward creating a programmable “control plane” for cloud connectivity, combining Alkira’s cloud-native networking platform with Lumen’s global fiber infrastructure. The article emphasizes how Alkira’s technology enables enterprises to orchestrate secure, scalable connectivity across multi-cloud, data center, and on-premises environments through a unified software-driven platform.

Yahoo Finance reported that Lumen Technologies is acquiring Alkira for $475 million in cash to expand its AI-ready networking and cloud connectivity capabilities as demand for multi-cloud infrastructure accelerates. The acquisition positions Alkira’s cloud-native networking platform as a key component of Lumen’s strategy to simplify secure enterprise connectivity across cloud, edge, and data center environments.

Reuters reported that Lumen Technologies will acquire Alkira for $475 million as part of its strategy to strengthen AI-driven networking and cloud connectivity capabilities while accelerating its transformation into a next-generation digital infrastructure provider. The acquisition brings Alkira’s cloud-native networking platform into Lumen’s expanding AI infrastructure portfolio, helping enterprises simplify and scale secure multi-cloud connectivity.

Lumen Technologies CEO Kate Johnson told CNBC that the company’s planned acquisition of Alkira will play a key role in building the “nervous system for AI,” strengthening Lumen’s ability to deliver cloud networking, AI-ready connectivity, and programmable infrastructure at global scale. Johnson said the combination of Lumen’s fiber network and Alkira’s cloud networking platform will...

Alkira has launched the Alkira Connect Partner Program, a new initiative designed to help channel partners address complex networking and AI infrastructure challenges while increasing their services revenue. The program reflects Alkira’s shift toward a partner-first platform model, enabling system integrators, managed service providers, cloud providers and AI-focused firms to build high-value services around Alkira’s...

The article explains that enterprise networking costs are entering a structural crisis as hardware prices surge due to AI-driven component shortages, geopolitical tension and volatile tariffs, making traditional capital-intensive “rack and stack” models increasingly untenable for IT leaders. Alongside rising list prices, hidden total cost of ownership (TCO) factors such as power, cooling, rack space...

In the CRN feature on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the networking industry in 2026, leaders from ten major networking companies share insights on how AI is driving innovation and redefining network infrastructure requirements. Across the board, CEOs agree that AI is no longer just another workload; it is becoming the backbone of modern networks,...

CRN’s CEO Outlook 2026 research provides an unfiltered look at how top technology leaders are preparing for the year ahead, with candid insights on innovation priorities, AI adoption, partner-led growth, and navigating ongoing market uncertainty. The report highlights how CEOs are doubling down on transformative technologies and ecosystem collaboration to drive long-term success in an...