SoftBank eyes the infrastructure behind the AI boom
As AI workloads skyrocket, the real battlefield is shifting to data center ownership, edge networks, and interconnect capacity. SoftBank's exploratory talks to acquire DigitalBridge underscore a strategy pivot from software bets toward core infrastructure.
Infrastructure becomes the new leverage
- DigitalBridge's assets would give SoftBank an immediate expansion across carrier-neutral data centers, fiber backbones, and edge compute nodes.
- The firm is positioning itself as a global AI-era landlord, where demand for power, cooling, and GPU-ready racks is hitting historic highs.
Strategic implications
If the deal proceeds, SoftBank could become a top-tier infrastructure consolidator, influencing pricing, availability, and geographic distribution of AI compute and potentially tightening the market for hyperscalers and model developers.