SoftBank Group is dramatically expanding its presence in the digital infrastructure sector through a $4 billion agreement to acquire DigitalBridge Group. Announced on Monday, this transaction represents the latest step in billionaire Masayoshi Son’s campaign to establish SoftBank as a dominant force in the artificial intelligence revolution currently transforming the technology industry.
DigitalBridge offers SoftBank access to a comprehensive ecosystem of digital infrastructure investments strategically positioned across critical sectors. The company’s portfolio encompasses essential AI-era assets including large-scale datacenter facilities, wireless cell tower networks, high-capacity fiber optic systems, small-cell telecommunications infrastructure, and cutting-edge edge computing platforms. Notable holdings include Vantage Data Centers, telecommunications infrastructure provider Zayo, datacenter operator Switch, and European edge computing specialist AtlasEdge.
The company SoftBank is acquiring has experienced a dramatic evolution over recent years. Established in 1991 under the Colony Capital name, the firm originally concentrated on conventional real estate investments. However, under the visionary leadership of CEO Marc Ganzi, the company recognized emerging opportunities in digital infrastructure and executed a comprehensive strategic transformation. After divesting traditional property assets, the firm rebranded as DigitalBridge in 2021, completing its conversion into a pure-play digital infrastructure investment platform. The acquisition agreement ensures continuity, with Ganzi remaining as CEO of DigitalBridge as it operates within the SoftBank organization.
DigitalBridge brings substantial scale to SoftBank’s digital infrastructure capabilities, with approximately $108 billion in managed assets as of September 30. This positions it among the largest specialized investors focused exclusively on digital ecosystem infrastructure. The company’s extensive asset base and operational expertise complement SoftBank’s existing AI-related investments, creating synergies that could accelerate the development and deployment of AI infrastructure.
The DigitalBridge acquisition fits within SoftBank’s broader AI infrastructure strategy. The company has committed substantial resources to the Stargate project, collaborating with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX to build massive computing facilities designed to support advanced artificial intelligence development. The partnership has announced plans for five new datacenter campuses spanning multiple states in the American Southwest and Midwest, with total planned power capacity of approximately 7 gigawatts. These initiatives underscore Masayoshi Son’s conviction that artificial intelligence represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for transformative investment returns.
