Accenture has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Ookla, the company behind the popular Speedtest internet performance testing app and Downdetector, a widely-used platform for monitoring website and service outages. The deal, valued at $1.2 billion in cash, signals a significant move by the IT services giant to bolster its network intelligence and data analytics capabilities. The acquisition is expected to close in the coming months, pending regulatory approvals.
The connectivity division of Ziff Davis, which includes Ookla and Downdetector alongside Ekahau and RootMetrics, generated $231 million in revenue in 2025, representing 16% of Ziff Davis’s total income, according to the company. This sale allows Ziff Davis to focus on its core digital media markets, while positioning Ookla and Downdetector under an owner with the resources to expand their reach and impact.
Expanding Network Intelligence with Speedtest and Downdetector
Accenture CEO and chair Julie Sweet emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition, stating that acquiring Ookla will “aid our clients across business and government scale AI safely and build the trusted data foundations they need to deliver the reliable, seamless connectivity that creates value.” This suggests a focus on leveraging the data generated by Speedtest and Downdetector to enhance AI-driven solutions for clients.
Ookla’s Speedtest platform isn’t just for consumers checking their internet speed. The company gathers and analyzes data from billions of mobile network samples daily, providing insights into radio signal levels, network coverage, and the quality of experience for various online activities like video streaming, conferencing, and gaming. This data is utilized by telecommunications operators, regulatory bodies, and industry analysts. Ziff Davis reports that Speedtest’s B2B customers similarly include trade bodies, journalists, and nonprofits.
Downdetector, known for its real-time outage maps, offers a complementary service. Downdetector Explorer provides businesses with a monitoring tool to proactively detect and address service disruptions, serving customers such as streaming services, banks, and social networks. The platform’s ability to quickly identify and report outages has made it a head-to resource for media outlets covering service disruptions. Reuters notes the importance of Downdetector in tracking the availability of critical online services.
Impact on Users and Data Privacy
While Accenture plans to operate the Ookla business “as it operates today,” according to a spokesperson who spoke with Ars Technica, users of Speedtest and Downdetector can anticipate changes to the privacy policies governing their data. As the platforms transition under Accenture’s ownership, individuals will be subject to Accenture’s data handling practices. The acquisition raises questions about how Accenture will utilize the vast amounts of network performance and outage data collected by these tools.
Accenture already serves a diverse range of public sector clients, including the US Air Force, the US Social Security Administration, and the US Department of State. Accenture’s newsroom highlights the company’s commitment to helping government clients leverage data and AI for improved services.
Ziff Davis initially acquired Ookla in 2014 for $15 million. The company’s CEO, Vivek Shah, acknowledged that asset sales are not typical for Ziff Davis, but framed the connectivity division as a successful venture that delivered strong returns on investment. The proceeds from the sale will be used for “general corporate purposes” and to fund capital allocation activities, according to Ziff Davis.
The acquisition of Ookla and Downdetector underscores the growing importance of network intelligence and data analytics in today’s interconnected world. As businesses and governments increasingly rely on reliable connectivity, the ability to monitor network performance, detect outages, and leverage data-driven insights will become even more critical. The next phase will be watching how Accenture integrates these tools into its broader service offerings and how it navigates the data privacy implications of this significant acquisition.
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