[VoiceOps] Acquire MetaSwitch

Tue Aug 13 16:00:05 EDT 2024

"it's about welding everyone to Azure and Teams."

I think that's right, and, the problem is "welded to Azure and Teams" is
not really what this market understands, wants, or needs.

On Tue, Aug 13, 2024 at 3:57 PM Alex Balashov via VoiceOps <
voiceops at voiceops.org> wrote:

> I don't think it's getting run over by AI. Peter R called it; it's about
> welding everyone to Azure and Teams.
>
> —
> Sent from mobile, apologies for brevity and errors.
>
> On Aug 13, 2024, at 3:46 PM, Jeff Brower via VoiceOps <
> voiceops at voiceops.org> wrote:
>
> 
>
> "The telecommunications industry remains a priority industry for Microsoft"
>
> that is questionable. Like other areas getting run over by AI, priorities
> are shifting. Maybe they expect that if their AI gets smart enough, it can
> solve telecom use cases anyway :-)
>
> Quoting Jawaid Bazyar via VoiceOps <voiceops at voiceops.org>:
>
> "Azure for Operators" is what Microsoft was calling the Metaswitch
> products.
>
> This went out a couple months ago:
>
> ---
>
> We are reaching out to customers of our Azure for Operators portfolio,
> which includes products we acquired from Affirmed Networks and Metaswitch Networks,
> to explain recent updates to our portfolio.
>
> *In 2020, we announced our Azure for Operators initiative.  As part of
> this effort, we acquired Affirmed Networks, Metaswitch Networks, and IP
> from AT&T to acquire “Telco DNA” that would enhance our operational /
> technical engineering skills for building a carrier grade platform.  As
> these acquisitions came together with Azure, we created Azure Operator
> Nexus – a carrier grade, hybrid cloud platform.  We are moving Azure
> Operator Nexus into our broader Azure Edge and Platform portfolio and
> continue to service operators.*
>
> *Based on customer demand, the Azure for Operators initiative also focused
> on automation and analytics capabilities as early products.  Given the
> acceleration of Microsoft’s AI capabilities overall, we are now aligning
> these early efforts with Microsoft’s broader portfolio.*
>
> *As we advance our platform and AI capabilities, we are shifting our focus
> from the Network Function layer to partnerships with industry leaders of
> these capabilities. We will fulfill all our contractual obligations to
> existing customers and we will be consistent with published end-of-life
> policies.  We will not expand our customer base for Microsoft’s Network
> Functions, including the former Metaswitch and Affirmed Networks software
> products.*
>
> *The telecommunications industry remains a priority industry
> for Microsoft.  We will continue to empower telecommunications
> organizations to achieve more through a trusted and secure platform built
> to elevate customer experiences, streamline enterprise operations and
> business support systems, accelerate network transformation, reinvent
> product innovation and monetization, and build a secure data-driven
> business.*
>
> *We appreciate the importance our products provide in supporting your
> network.  We also appreciate the long-term planning that network
> development requires, so we will communicate our roadmap plans at the
> earliest opportunity.  It is important to note that these changes do not
> require immediate action from you today, nor do they change any agreement
> that you have in place with Microsoft.  We will continue to meet all
> customer contractual commitments.*
>
> *If you have any questions, please contact: AFO Sales
> Questions afosalesqst at microsoft.com <afosalesqst at microsoft.com>.*
>
> *Thank you.*
>
>
>
> *FAQ*
>
> *Q:  Is there any action I need to take today?  When will you have more
> details to share about retirement dates (Azure services) or End of Life
> dates (Metaswitch Networks & Affirmed Networks products)?*
>
> *A:  We will continue to meet all customer contractual commitments and be
> consistent with published end-of-life policies.  We also appreciate the
> long-term planning that network development requires, so we will
> communicate our roadmap plans at the earliest opportunity.*
>
>
>
> *Q:  Will you still support our cloud and AI transformation?*
>
> *A:  Yes, Microsoft is refining the offers we provide to operators to
> reflect the strong demand for cloud and AI based solutions.*
>
>
>
> *Q:  If you are announcing an End of Sale for the Affirmed Network
> and Metaswitch Network products for new customers and net new deployments,
> what does this mean for my existing service?*
>
>    - *We will meet all existing customer contractual obligations.*
>    - *We will continue to maintain the software to provide security
>    patches and bug fixes.  We highly recommend that customers follow standard
>    security practices and upgrade to the latest releases.*
>    - *We will provide support consistent with existing contracts.*
>    - *We will continue to offer project level support / maintenance
>    services on a case-by-case basis (as we do today).*
>    - *We will support the expansion of volumes of current deployments.*
>    - *We will not expand the customer base / add new customers.*
>    - *We will not expand to entirely new deployments for existing
>    customers (e.g., launching for a new OpCo or OpCo not currently deployed)
>    where the new deployment is not already contractually committed.*
>    - *We will not expand or offer new feature sets beyond those that have
>    already been committed.*
>
>
>
> *Q:  What Are you announcing for the Azure for Operators products?*
>
> *A:   Here is a summary of these changes:*
>
>    - *We promoted Azure Operator Nexus to Azure’s Edge and Platform
>    portfolio and will continue to sell it.*
>    - *We will continue to support Azure Programmable Connectivity.*
>    - *We will support existing customers of Azure Operator Insights /
>    AIOps Copilot, but we will not accept new customers.  Microsoft Fabric will
>    address this functionality.*
>    - *We will no longer add new customers for: Azure Communication
>    Gateway (ACG), Azure Operator Insights (AOI), Azure Private 5G Core
>    (AP5GC), Affirmed Mobile Content Cloud (MCC), Affirmed UnityCloud
>    (UC), Metaswitch Rhino TAS, and Metaswitch Perimeta SBC.  If you have a
>    customer who is in the process of onboarding, please contact the
>    appropriate In-flight Projects contact: sallywathen at microsoft.com
>    <sallywathen at microsoft.com> (APAC and EMEA) or seanjames at microsoft.com
>    <seanjames at microsoft.com> (Americas).*
>    - *We will not accept more preview candidates for: Azure Operator Call
>    Protection (AOCP) and Azure Operator 5G Core (AO5GC), and we will not move
>    these services to General Availability.*
>
>
>
> *Q:  What is next after you stop selling a product, and how will you
> manage these products?*
>
> *A:  We will continue to support these products in accordance with our
> existing customer commitments.  We will eventually retire these services in
> accordance with our lifecycle policies.  In advance of retirement, we will
> provide notification as well as details on transition recommendations.  We
> are committed to supporting you through this transition.*
>
>
>
> *Here are the current plans for each product, but plans may evolve as we
> work with customers:*
>
>    - *Azure Communication Gateway (ACG) – We will publish a transition
>    roadmap to recommend options to migrate off these services to partner
>    solutions when the service is retired.*
>    - *Azure Operator Insights (AOI) – We will work with customers to
>    align this service to Microsoft Fabric before the service is retired.*
>    - *Azure Operator 5G Core (AO5GC)  – We will not move this product
>    from Public Preview to GA*
>    - *Azure Private 5G Core (AP5GC) – We will provide options to adopt
>    services using partner solutions before the service is retired.*
>    - *Azure Operator Call Protection (AOCP) – We will not move this
>    product from Private Preview to GA.  Operators may still use
>    existing Microsoft tooling and partner solutions to create a similar
>    solution.*
>    - *Affirmed Mobile Content Cloud (MCC) – We will meet obligations as
>    defined above until product End of Life.*
>    - *Affirmed UnityCloud (UC) – We will meet obligations as defined
>    above and move to product End of Life.*
>    - *Metaswitch Rhino TAS – We will meet obligations as defined above
>    until product End of Life.*
>    - *Metaswitch Perimeta SBC – We will meet obligations as defined above
>    until product End of Life.*
>
>
>
> *Q:  Is Microsoft exiting the telecommunications industry?*
>
> *A:  No.  Microsoft remains fully committed to supporting the
> telecommunications industry by empowering them to achieve more with the
> power of Cloud and AI.  The changes to the Azure for Operator portfolio
> reflect customer demand and enable us to focus on the technologies that
> drive the most value for our customers and partners.*
>
>
>
> *Q:  If these changes impacted my contacts at Microsoft, who can I
> contact?*
>
> *A:  We apologize for any inconvenience personnel changes have caused
> you.  Please reach out to your assigned Microsoft Account Executive.  For
> issues requiring escalation, you may contact the following: *
>
>
>
> *Questions / inquiries:
>               afosalesqst at microsoft.com <afosalesqst at microsoft.com>*
>
> *Industry Lead Sponsor:
>               silvia.candiani at microsoft.com <silvia.candiani at microsoft.com>*
>
> *Support Issues:
>               mhenderson at microsoft.com <mhenderson at microsoft.com> *
>
> *In-flight Projects (APAC and EMEA)
>               sallywathen at microsoft.com <sallywathen at microsoft.com>*
>
> *In-flight Projects (Americas):
>               seanjames at microsoft.com <seanjames at microsoft.com>*
>
> *Purchase Orders:
>               jason.ryberg at microsoft.com <jason.ryberg at microsoft.com> *
>
> *Executive Escalation:
>               shawn.hakl at microsoft.com <shawn.hakl at microsoft.com>*
>
>
>
> *On Tue, Aug 13, 2024 at 8:41 AM Mike Hammett <voiceops at ics-il.net
> <voiceops at ics-il.net>> wrote:*
>
>> *"Given the MetaSwitch products are no longer sold, and Microsoft is
>> EOLing them, and not taking new support contracts..."*
>>
>>
>> *That's news to me.*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *----- Mike Hammett Intelligent Computing Solutions http://www.ics-il.com
>> <http://www.ics-il.com> Midwest Internet Exchange http://www.midwest-ix.com
>> <http://www.midwest-ix.com>*
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>>
>>
>> *From: "Jawaid Bazyar via VoiceOps" <voiceops at voiceops.org
>> <voiceops at voiceops.org>> To: "voiceops" <voiceops at voiceops.org
>> <voiceops at voiceops.org>> Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 7:23:05 AM Subject:
>> [VoiceOps] Acquire MetaSwitch*
>>
>> *Hello,*
>>
>> *We are in the market to acquire / take over a MetaSwitch CFS. In
>> particular, we're looking for the virtual edition that runs purely in
>> VMWare.*
>>
>> *The components we'd need are:*
>> *    CFS*
>> *    MRS (Media Resource Server)*
>> *    Perimeta*
>> *    SAS (Service Assurance Server)*
>> *    MetaView Server*
>>
>> *These are fairly common components.*
>>
>> *Given the MetaSwitch products are no longer sold, and Microsoft is
>> EOLing them, and not taking new support contracts, we're not talking about
>> a big cash up front kind of deal, but, instead a revenue share kind of
>> arrangement.*
>>
>> *Anyone that has one and is interested, contact me directly off-list.*
>>
>> *Cheers,*
>>
>> *Jawaid*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *_______________________________________________ VoiceOps mailing list
>> VoiceOps at voiceops.org <VoiceOps at voiceops.org>
>> https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/voiceops
>> <https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/voiceops>*
>>
>
>
>
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