SoftBank Finalizes Multibillion-Dollar Acquisition of DigitalBridge to Expand AI Infrastructure
SoftBank has completed its $3.1 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge, a digital infrastructure asset manager with approximately $108 billion in assets under management. The purchase strengthens SoftBank's strategy to build a vertically integrated AI infrastructure platform by securing control over data centers, fiber networks, and edge facilities. The acquisition supports SoftBank's broader initiative to supply large-scale compute capacity for AI development, including partnerships with OpenAI through the Stargate project.
SoftBank's move represents a significant consolidation in the digital infrastructure sector, bringing together a conglomerate with deep pockets and AI ambitions with an established manager of hundreds of billions in physical assets. DigitalBridge's portfolio spans multiple infrastructure types—computing facilities, network connectivity, wireless equipment, and distributed edge computing resources—giving SoftBank direct control over essential components of the AI supply chain rather than relying solely on third-party providers.
The acquisition fits within SoftBank's broader strategy to become vertically integrated across AI infrastructure. Beyond acquiring existing assets, the company is simultaneously investing billions into partnerships like the Stargate project with OpenAI while developing its own operating capabilities through SB Neo, positioning itself to both build and run the computing infrastructure needed for large-scale AI systems.
This consolidation could accelerate AI infrastructure development by removing fragmentation between asset ownership and operational control, potentially lowering costs and deployment timelines for compute capacity. However, it may also concentrate significant infrastructure resources under a single corporate entity, raising questions about market competition and access equity for other AI developers. The outcome will likely depend on whether DigitalBridge maintains open-access policies for its facilities or becomes primarily dedicated to SoftBank's internal AI initiatives.