Accenture to Acquire Ookla in $1.2 Billion Deal as Ziff Davis Shifts Focus to Media Brands
March 3, 2026
Financial advisers for Ziff Davis include Evercore and Citi, with Kirkland & Ellis handling legal matters.
Closing remains contingent on customary conditions and regulatory approvals; Connectivity division generated about $231 million in 2025 revenue, roughly 16% of Ziff Davis’s total.
Accenture has agreed to acquire Ookla, the network intelligence and analytics leader, to enhance AI-driven insights for communications service providers, hyperscalers, and enterprises.
The press release includes standard forward-looking statements, with usual risks around closing, integration, regulatory approvals, and market conditions.
Ziff Davis stock surged in premarket trading after the deal was announced, reflecting investor optimism.
Proceeds from the sale will be used to reduce debt, aligning with Ziff Davis’s disclosed plans.
The move signals a strategic shift to concentrate on enthusiast media brands, following organizational changes and layoffs at other properties.
Accenture's CEO says measuring performance is essential to optimize experience, revenue, and security in modern networks.
Ziff Davis is selling its Connectivity division, including Ookla’s Speedtest and Downdetector, to Accenture for $1.2 billion in cash, signaling a strategic shift away from connectivity services.
The deal is expected to close in the coming months, with the Connectivity unit remaining in operation during the transition.
The sale enables Ziff Davis to focus on core brands like IGN and Mashable, while continuing to manage Everyday Health and related properties.
The reporting environment for the deal includes sponsor-heavy pages and podcast content, illustrating contemporary tech-media context.
Summary based on 12 sources
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Sources

Reuters • Mar 3, 2026
Ziff Davis to sell connectivity division to Accenture for $1.2 billion
Yahoo • Mar 3, 2026
Downdetector and Speedtest have been sold for over $1 billion
The Register • Mar 3, 2026
Accenture down to buy Downdetector as part of $1.2 billion deal