Downdetector, Speedtest sold to IT service provider Accenture in $1.2B deal

Accenture, a prominent IT consulting and service provider, has struck a deal to acquire Ookla, the parent company of Speedtest and Downdetector, from Ziff Davis for a staggering $1.2 billion in cash. This acquisition marks a significant step for Accenture as it seeks to enhance its portfolio of network optimization services. In its announcement, Accenture highlighted plans to leverage Ookla’s extensive data products to support a variety of clients, including communications service providers, hyperscalers, and governmental bodies. The goal is to help these customers optimize critical Wi-Fi and 5G networks. Ookla’s offerings include Ekahau, which specializes in tools for troubleshooting and designing wireless networks, and RootMetrics, a service that tracks mobile network performance. Accenture intends to utilize insights from Ookla’s data to bolster applications across multiple sectors, from enhancing AI infrastructure resilience to improving fraud prevention measures in banking. Manish Sharma, Accenture’s chief strategy and services officer, emphasized the importance of these tools in today's fast-paced digital landscape. He stated, "Speedtest and RootMetrics define the experience; Downdetector identifies incidents faster; and Ekahau drives digital workplace transformation through superior Wi-Fi. In an era of omni-channel and agentic access, low-latency, zero-friction connectivity is a competitive necessity, and these tools give enterprises the power to build the high-performance environments they need." Ookla generates an impressive 250 million consumer-initiated tests monthly and employs around 430 staff members. In 2025, the company reported a net income of $76.1 million alongside revenue of $230.7 million. Ziff Davis, which acquired Ookla in 2014 for just $15 million, anticipates that the sale will finalize in the coming months.