<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>I don't think it's getting run over by AI. Peter R called it; it's about welding everyone to Azure and Teams.</div><br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature"><div dir="ltr">—<div>Sent from mobile, apologies for brevity and errors.</div></div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Aug 13, 2024, at 3:46 PM, Jeff Brower via VoiceOps <voiceops@voiceops.org> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<title></title>
<p>"The telecommunications industry remains a priority industry for Microsoft"<br>
<br>
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 :-)<br>
<br>
Quoting Jawaid Bazyar via VoiceOps <<a href="mailto:voiceops@voiceops.org">voiceops@voiceops.org</a>>:</p>
<blockquote style="border-left:2px solid blue;margin-left:2px;padding-left:12px;" type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<p class="MsoNormal">"Azure for Operators" is what Microsoft was calling the Metaswitch products.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This went out a couple months ago:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are reaching out to customers of our Azure for Operators portfolio, which includes products we acquired from Affirmed Networks and <span class="gmail-il">Metaswitch</span> Networks, to explain recent updates to our portfolio.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u>In 2020, we announced our Azure for Operators initiative. As part of this effort, we acquired Affirmed Networks, <span class="gmail-il">Metaswitch</span> 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.</u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>Based on customer demand, the Azure for Operators initiative also focused on automation and analytics capabilities as early products. Given the acceleration of <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span>’s AI capabilities overall, we are now aligning these early efforts with <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span>’s broader portfolio.</u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>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 <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span>’s Network Functions, including the former <span class="gmail-il">Metaswitch</span> and Affirmed Networks software products.</u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><span style="color:black">The telecommunications industry </span>remains a priority industry for <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span>. 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.</u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>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 <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span>. We will continue to meet all customer contractual commitments.</u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>If you have any questions, please contact: AFO Sales Questions <a href="mailto:afosalesqst@microsoft.com" target="_blank">afosalesqst@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</a>.</u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>Thank you.</u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b><u> </u></b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b>FAQ</b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b>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 (<span class="gmail-il">Metaswitch</span> Networks & Affirmed Networks products)?</b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>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.</u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b><u> </u></b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b>Q: Will you still support our cloud and AI transformation?</b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>A: Yes, <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span> is refining the offers we provide to operators to reflect the strong demand for cloud and AI based solutions.</u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><u> </u></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b>Q: If you are announcing an End of Sale for the Affirmed Network and <span class="gmail-il">Metaswitch</span> Network products for new customers and net new deployments, what does this mean for my existing service?</b></u></u></u></p>
<ul style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>We will meet all existing customer contractual obligations.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>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.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>We will provide support consistent with existing contracts.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>We will continue to offer project level support / maintenance services on a case-by-case basis (as we do today).</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>We will support the expansion of volumes of current deployments.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>We will not expand the customer base / add new customers.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>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.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>We will not expand or offer new feature sets beyond those that have already been committed.</u></u></u></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><u> </u></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b>Q: What Are you announcing for the Azure for Operators products?</b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>A: Here is a summary of these changes:</u></u></u></p>
<ul style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>We promoted Azure Operator Nexus to Azure’s Edge and Platform portfolio and will continue to sell it.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>We will continue to support Azure Programmable Connectivity.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>We will support existing customers of Azure Operator Insights / AIOps Copilot, but we will not accept new customers. <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span> Fabric will address this functionality.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>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), <span class="gmail-il">Metaswitch</span> Rhino TAS, and <span class="gmail-il">Metaswitch</span> Perimeta SBC. If you have a customer who is in the process of onboarding, please contact the appropriate In-flight Projects contact: <a href="mailto:sallywathen@microsoft.com" target="_blank">sallywathen@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</a> (APAC and EMEA) or <a href="mailto:seanjames@microsoft.com" target="_blank">seanjames@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</a> (Americas).</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u>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.</u></u></u></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b><u> </u></b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b>Q: What is next after you stop selling a product, and how will you manage these products?</b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>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. <span class="m_-4375673170095776189ui-provider">We are committed to supporting you through this transition.</span></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><u> </u></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>Here are the current plans for each product, but plans may evolve as we work with customers:</u></u></u></p>
<ul style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u><b>Azure Communication Gateway (ACG) </b>– We will publish a transition roadmap to recommend options to migrate off these services to partner solutions when the service is retired.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u><b>Azure Operator Insights (AOI) </b>– We will work with customers to align this service to <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span> Fabric before the service is retired.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u><b>Azure Operator 5G Core (AO5GC) </b> – We will not move this product from Public Preview to GA</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u><b>Azure Private 5G Core (AP5GC)</b> – We will provide options to adopt services using partner solutions before the service is retired.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u><b>Azure Operator Call Protection (AOCP)</b> – We will not move this product from Private Preview to GA. Operators may still use existing <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span> tooling and partner solutions to create a similar solution.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u><b>Affirmed Mobile Content Cloud (MCC)</b> – We will meet obligations as defined above until product End of Life.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u><b>Affirmed UnityCloud (UC)</b> – We will meet obligations as defined above and move to product End of Life.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u><b><span class="gmail-il">Metaswitch</span> Rhino TAS</b> – We will meet obligations as defined above until product End of Life.</u></u></u></li>
<li class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><u><u><b><span class="gmail-il">Metaswitch</span> Perimeta SBC</b> – We will meet obligations as defined above until product End of Life.</u></u></u></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><u> </u></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b>Q: Is <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span> exiting the telecommunications industry?</b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u>A: No. <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span> 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.</u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b><u> </u></b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><b>Q: If these changes impacted my contacts at <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span>, who can I contact?</b></u></u></u></p>
<p class="m_-4375673170095776189paragraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;vertical-align:baseline"><u><u><u><span style="font-size:11pt">A: W<span class="m_-4375673170095776189normaltextrun">e apologize for any inconvenience personnel changes have caused you. Please reach out to your assigned <span class="gmail-il">Microsoft</span> Account Executive. For issues requiring escalation, you may contact the following:</span><span class="m_-4375673170095776189eop"> </span></span></u></u></u></p>
<p class="m_-4375673170095776189paragraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;vertical-align:baseline"><u><u><u><span class="m_-4375673170095776189normaltextrun"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></span></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.5in"><u><u><u><span class="m_-4375673170095776189eop">Questions / inquiries:</span><span class="m_-4375673170095776189MsoHyperlink" style="color:blue;text-decoration-line:underline"> <a href="mailto:afosalesqst@microsoft.com" target="_blank">afosalesqst@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</a></span></u></u></u></p>
<p class="m_-4375673170095776189paragraph" style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><u><u><u><span class="m_-4375673170095776189eop"><span style="font-size:11pt">Industry Lead Sponsor: </span></span><a href="mailto:silvia.candiani@microsoft.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt">silvia.candiani@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</span></a></u></u></u></p>
<p class="m_-4375673170095776189paragraph" style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><u><u><u><span class="m_-4375673170095776189normaltextrun"><span style="font-size:11pt">Support Issues: </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span><a href="mailto:mhenderson@microsoft.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt">mhenderson@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</span></a><span class="m_-4375673170095776189eop"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></span></u></u></u></p>
<p class="m_-4375673170095776189paragraph" style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><u><u><u><span class="m_-4375673170095776189normaltextrun"><span style="font-size:11pt">In-flight Projects (APAC and EMEA) </span></span><a href="mailto:sallywathen@microsoft.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt">sallywathen@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</span></a></u></u></u></p>
<p class="m_-4375673170095776189paragraph" style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><u><u><u><span class="m_-4375673170095776189normaltextrun"><span style="font-size:11pt">In-flight Projects (Americas): </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span><a href="mailto:seanjames@microsoft.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt">seanjames@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</span></a></u></u></u></p>
<p class="m_-4375673170095776189paragraph" style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><u><u><u><span class="m_-4375673170095776189normaltextrun"><span style="font-size:11pt">Purchase Orders: <span style="color:blue"> </span></span></span><a href="mailto:jason.ryberg@microsoft.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt">jason.ryberg@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</span></a><span class="m_-4375673170095776189eop"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:blue"> </span></span></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.5in"><u><u><u><span class="m_-4375673170095776189normaltextrun">Executive Escalation: </span><a href="mailto:shawn.hakl@microsoft.com" target="_blank">shawn.hakl@<span class="gmail-il">microsoft</span>.com</a></u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><u><u><span style="font-size:11pt"><u> </u></span></u></u></u></p>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div class="gmail_attr" dir="ltr"><u><u><u>On Tue, Aug 13, 2024 at 8:41 AM Mike Hammett <<a href="mailto:voiceops@ics-il.net">voiceops@ics-il.net</a>> wrote:</u></u></u></div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div class="msg328750724890767665">
<div>
<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><u><u><u>"Given the MetaSwitch products are no longer sold, and Microsoft is EOLing them, and not taking new support contracts..."</u></u></u>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><u><u><u>That's news to me.</u></u></u><br>
<br>
<div><br>
<br>
<u><u><u><span name="x">-----<br>
Mike Hammett<br>
Intelligent Computing Solutions<br>
<a href="http://www.ics-il.com" target="_blank">http://www.ics-il.com</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Midwest Internet Exchange<br>
<a href="http://www.midwest-ix.com" target="_blank">http://www.midwest-ix.com</a></span></u></u></u><br>
<br>
</div>
<br>
<hr id="m_328750724890767665zwchr">
<div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><u><u><u><b>From:</b> "Jawaid Bazyar via VoiceOps" <<a href="mailto:voiceops@voiceops.org" target="_blank">voiceops@voiceops.org</a>><br>
<b>To:</b> "voiceops" <<a href="mailto:voiceops@voiceops.org" target="_blank">voiceops@voiceops.org</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 13, 2024 7:23:05 AM<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [VoiceOps] Acquire MetaSwitch</u></u></u><br>
<br>
<div dir="ltr"><u><u><u>Hello,</u></u></u>
<div> </div>
<div><u><u><u>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.</u></u></u></div>
<div> </div>
<div><u><u><u>The components we'd need are:</u></u></u></div>
<div><u><u><u> CFS</u></u></u></div>
<div><u><u><u> MRS (Media Resource Server)</u></u></u></div>
<div><u><u><u> Perimeta</u></u></u></div>
<div><u><u><u> SAS (Service Assurance Server)</u></u></u></div>
<div><u><u><u> MetaView Server</u></u></u></div>
<div> </div>
<div><u><u><u>These are fairly common components.</u></u></u></div>
<div> </div>
<div><u><u><u>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.</u></u></u></div>
<div> </div>
<div><u><u><u>Anyone that has one and is interested, contact me directly off-list.</u></u></u></div>
<div> </div>
<div><u><u><u>Cheers,</u></u></u></div>
<div> </div>
<div><u><u><u>Jawaid</u></u></u></div>
<div> </div>
</div>
<br>
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</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p><br>
<br>
<br type="_moz"></p>
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