• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
Compliance, News

Will Microsoft’s and AT&T’s $2B New Deal Payoff? Experts Aren’t So Sure

While there are lots of benefits expected to come out of this new partnership, experts don’t think there’s enough information to prove those benefits will actually happen.

August 5, 2019 Jessica Messier Leave a Comment

Microsoft, Microsoft Support Records Exposed

According to Reuters, Microsoft and AT&T recently reached a $2 billion deal that will better support workers’ computing needs. The deal entails AT&T utilizing Microsoft’s Azure cloud service for computing, and Microsoft 365, which includes Office productivity software, for its workers.

The two companies will also work together on edge computing, “which will see Microsoft technology deployed alongside AT&T’s coming 5G network for applications that need extremely small delays in passing data back and forth, such as air traffic control systems for drones,” Reuters says.

The deal is meant to be a win-win for both companies. For example, while AT&T while take care of its own core networking for devices, the partnership with Microsoft is helping the company to become “public cloud first,” which means that it will depend on data centers built by other entities to power the rest of its business, Reuters says. At the same time, Microsoft will become AT&T’s “preferred” cloud vendor, especially as it competes for market share from Amazon’s Amazon Web services, the largest public cloud services provider.

The two companies will also serve as partners to sell Microsoft’s edge computing services, which will help software developers write programs; this will especially come in handy for manufacturing settings where machines are designed with sensors to collect data, or retail stores that use sensors and cameras to stay abreast of inventory, Reuters says.

“This is one of the most far-reaching initiatives we have put together because of it being so comprehensive,” John Donovan, chief executive of AT&T Communications, told Reuters.

But while there seems to be positives coming out of this deal, some industry experts aren’t so sure what value the new tag-team will offer end users. For example, Ed Anderson, an analyst with research firm Gartner, told Reuters that there isn’t enough information available yet to see if the deal with Microsoft will actually pay off and help its workers. This is especially the case with the 5G and edge computing aspects of the deal.

“In addition to (AT&T) being an important customer, you’ve got two big important technology companies starting to come together to think about what some other possibilities are,” Anderson said. “But at this point, it’s really kind of left to the imagination to kind of figure out what those possibilities are.”

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tagged With: Bandwidth, Mobile Device

Related Content:

  • Cloud, SASE, Aryaka How the Cloud is Redefining Media Production and…
  • Singlewire Software mass notification interview Singlewire Software on Mass Notification Solutions
  • URI catchbox 1 Catchbox Plus: The Mic Solution That Finally Gave…
  • Engaging virtual meeting with diverse participants discussing creative ideas in a bright office space during daylight hours Diversified Survey: Workplace AV Tech is Falling Short,…

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • ChatGPT, generative AI, enterprise, workplaceBlueprint Series: ChatGPT and Generative AI in the Workplace

    This latest release of the TechDecisions Blueprint Series explores the new phenomenon of tools such as ChatGPT and how IT leaders should go about deploying generative AI in their organizations.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Downloads

Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces
Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces

Recent Gartner research shows that workers prefer to return to the office for in-person meetings for relevant milestones, as well as for face-to-fa...

New Camera Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow
New Camera System Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow

Sony's HXC-FZ90 studio camera system combines flexibility and exceptional image quality with entry-level pricing.

Creating Great User Experience and Ultimate Flexibility with Clickshare

Working and collaborating in any office environment today should be meaningful, as workers today go to office for very specific reasons. When desig...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Contact Us
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSYour Privacy ChoicesTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2025 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.