Comcast Closes Masergy Buy, Creates Channel-focused SDN, SD-WAN Giant

The acquisition of Masergy, which was first unveiled in August, gives Comcast Business the technology and the channel-focus to become a leader in bringing software-defined networking and SD-WAN technology to channel partners working with clients of all size.

Global broadband and streaming services provider Comcast Business Friday said it has officially closed its previously-announced acquisition of enterprise software-defined networking and cloud platform technology developer Masergy Communications.

With the acquisition, Comcast Business gains access to Plano, Texas-based Masergy‘s channel-first hybrid networking and software-defined networking, giving Philadelphia-based Comcast solid SDN muscle.

The acquisition is also slated to help accelerate Comcast Business’s growth in the large and mid-size business market, especially with U.S.-based organizations with multi-site global operations, while accelerating its overall channel distribution strategy, the company said.

[Related: 5 Big Things To Know About Comcast’s Masergy Acquisition]

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Masergy specializes in managed SD-WAN and security, as well as cloud-based unified communications solutions, and does about 80 percent of its business through channel partners. The company has around 640 employees, according to LinkedIn, and works with over 1,400 customers across 102 countries, including the likes of Amgen, Ancestry.com LLC, and payment service provider Ingenico.

Comcast Business expects the combination of its advanced network and Masergy’s services to help Comcast Business customers manage international operations and networks more efficiently, the company said.

The Masergy acquisition is bringing Comcast Business more software-defined networking muscle at a time where SD-WAN and cloud-based everything are in high demand.

The acquisition will also help Comcast build up its cloud-based security and UCaaS (unified communications as a service) repertoire as it folds in Masergy’s product portfolio, particularly when it comes to the channel side of the business. Masergy this summer discussed how it upped its channel focus over the last year, even describing the move as “throwing gas” on the channel.

Masergy in 2016 was acquired by private equity firm Berkshire Partners for an undisclosed price.

Comcast executives were not available Friday to provide more information to CRN on the acquisition.

However, in a prepared statement, Comcast Business President Bill Stemper said his company is looking forward to working together with Masergy employees and executives to expand the company‘s channel business.

“This deal fortifies our channel distribution strategy and redoubles our commitment to the channel partner community. The combination of our teams and complementary service portfolios will enhance the value we bring to large and mid-size companies worldwide,” Stemper said.

Chris MacFarland, chairman and CEO of Masergy, said in a statement that his team is looking forward to working with Comcast to build the future together.

“Our customers and partners can expect the same industry-leading customer experience and will benefit from accelerated innovation as part of Comcast Business,” MacFarland said.

Gina Narcisi contributed to this article.