Microsoft and Lumen expand partnership to jointly sell networking solutions for AI workloads on Azure

Microsoft and Lumen strengthen co-selling collaboration for AI infrastructure

Microsoft and Lumen Technologies announced Monday an expanded partnership to jointly sell networking solutions designed specifically for companies deploying AI workloads on Azure1

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. The co-selling collaboration aims to address a critical infrastructure challenge: AI applications require data from multiple locations including public clouds, private data centers, and office environments, yet the networks connecting these sites are often fragmented and unreliable1

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Lumen plans to bring its complete suite of cloud networking and application-connectivity capabilities to Azure, allowing customers to plan their network architecture and cloud migration simultaneously1

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. Katy Brown, corporate vice president at Microsoft, emphasized that "AI is reshaping where applications run and how organizations use and move data," highlighting the strategic importance of this expanded partnership1

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Alkira platform already available through Microsoft Marketplace

Customers can currently access one Lumen product, Alkira, through Microsoft Marketplace for business software1

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. Lumen acquired the Alkira platform for $475M earlier this year, a tool that enables organizations to manage connections between clouds and offices from a centralized interface1

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. The companies indicated plans to identify opportunities to bring additional Lumen capabilities to Azure and Microsoft Marketplace over time, though no specific timeline or financial details were disclosed1

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Addressing surging demand for resilient network infrastructure

The expanded partnership responds to growing demand for high-capacity fiber networks driven by AI adoption. Network-equipment manufacturer Ciena reports it can barely meet current demand for fiber infrastructure1

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. Azure customers will gain access to Lumen's network and on-demand control capabilities, providing the simplified connectivity for AI and resilient network infrastructure needed to power modern AI workloads2

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Lumen's sales teams will collaborate directly with Microsoft's on deals where networking, cloud migration, and AI on Azure intersect1

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. The companies also plan to explore integration possibilities between their networks and Microsoft's tools for controlling AI agents, though details remain limited1

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Building on existing infrastructure relationship

This announcement builds upon a 2024 agreement where Lumen supplies fiber connections between Microsoft's data centers1

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. Azure surpassed $100B in annual revenue in July, underscoring the platform's massive scale and the significant opportunity this expanded partnership represents for both companies1

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. The move positions Microsoft and Lumen to capture enterprise spending as organizations race to deploy AI applications while grappling with complex multi-site connectivity requirements.