Enterprise connectivity is undergoing a fundamental shift. AI adoption, cloud connectivity and digital transformation are reshaping how applications communicate and how data moves—placing new demands on the network to orchestrate connectivity dynamically across clouds, regions, users and enterprise environments.
In this video, Lumen leaders explain why the Alkira acquisition marks an important step in advancing the modern enterprise network—pairing the trusted network for AI with a cloud-native Network-as-a-Service control plane to deliver a more seamless, software-defined networking experience.
0:00 Kate Johnson (CEO, Lumen): Today marks another important milestone in Lumen transformation as we announce an agreement to acquire Alkira, a cloud-native Network-as-a-Service platform.
0:10 Johnson: This is a defining move as Lumen, the trusted network for AI, builds out the control plane for global enterprise connectivity.
0:20 Amir Khan (CEO, Alkira): It used to be between on-premises and the cloud, on-premises and the data center, and that is completely changed now.
0:28 Kevin Kramer (VP Worldwide Sales, Alkira): AI adoption, cloud connectivity and digital transformation as a whole require a much more efficient and agile network.
0:36 Atif Khan (CTO, Alkira): What we wanted to do was take that pain point away from the customers and start delivering the networking infrastructure as a service.
0:44 Amir Khan: Think of it as a glue to everything networking.
0:47 Amir Khan: Everything is interconnected through a controlled mechanism, through a secure mechanism brought together in a very elegant way.
0:56 Kramer: Alkira is modernizing and transforming today’s network connectivity across regions, users and clouds.
1:05 Amir Khan: We have Fortune 100 customers, and we have Fortune 10 customers who are deploying the infrastructure in a very scalable manner.
1:14 Johnson: Together, Lumen and Alkira give businesses a control plane for global enterprise connectivity, paired with the trusted network for AI, so they can move their data quickly, securely and effortlessly across any environment.
1:29 Johnson: It’s what the market needs, and it’s what we’re building at Lumen.
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The Lumen and Alkira acquisition brings cloud-native Network-as-a-Service capabilities together with the trusted network for AI—giving enterprises the agility, programmability and reach to power AI, multicloud and next-gen applications with greater consistency and control.
Learn more about what Lumen and Alkira are building together.
This blog post contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about Lumen’s acquisition of Alkira and the anticipated benefits of the transaction; expected improvements in network simplicity, performance, scalability, and governance; the ability to integrate Alkira’s platform with Lumen’s network and services; the development, functionality, and adoption of a programmable network operating model; and Lumen’s broader transformation strategy, product roadmap, and ability to support evolving enterprise, cloud, and AI-driven workloads. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations only and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, including our successful integration of Alkira; our ability to realize expected benefits, synergies, and operational efficiencies from the acquisition in a timely manner or at all; the performance, scalability, and market adoption of combined offerings; competitive and technological developments; changes in customer demand; cybersecurity threats; regulatory and economic conditions; and other factors that may impact Lumen’s business and operations, as well as the risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise them, except as required by law.
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