DigitalBridge to become SoftBank’s third‑party infrastructure partner

How Will the Partnership Affect SoftBank’s Telecom Strategy?

The partnership was unveiled in Tokyo, where Ganzi met with SoftBank executives to outline a joint framework for acquiring, operating and upgrading data‑center assets. The arrangement will see DigitalBridge’s existing portfolio of 30-plus facilities integrated into SoftBank’s infrastructure ecosystem, with a focus on high‑density, low‑latency sites that support the telecommunications giant’s 5G rollout and cloud services.

Ganzi explained that the collaboration will allow SoftBank to offload operational responsibilities while retaining ownership of its infrastructure. „By partnering with DigitalBridge, we can leverage their expertise in asset management and technology upgrades without diluting our strategic control,” he said. The deal also provides DigitalBridge with access to SoftBank’s extensive network of partners, including major telecom operators and cloud providers, expanding its reach in Asia and beyond.

DigitalBridge’s portfolio already spans North America, Europe and Asia, with facilities designed for high‑performance computing and data‑storage needs. The new partnership will accelerate the expansion of data‑center capacity in key Asian markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Both companies plan to invest an estimated $2 billion in new construction and retrofitting projects over the next three years, targeting emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, gaming and financial technology.

What Are the Risks and Challenges Ahead?

DigitalBridge’s CEO highlighted the synergies in technology sharing. „We will jointly deploy advanced cooling solutions, renewable energy sources and automation tools to reduce operating costs and improve environmental performance,” he noted. The collaboration aims to achieve a 15% reduction in power usage effectiveness (PUE) across the combined portfolio, a benchmark that aligns with industry sustainability goals.

SoftBank’s telecom division has long relied on third‑party operators to manage its network infrastructure. By appointing DigitalBridge as a dedicated infrastructure partner, SoftBank intends to streamline its supply chain and reduce capital expenditures. The new arrangement will also enable SoftBank to accelerate the rollout of 5G services in underserved regions, as DigitalBridge’s data‑center locations can be quickly upgraded to support edge computing nodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The partnership is expected to deliver a more flexible and scalable infrastructure model. SoftBank can now focus on network innovation while DigitalBridge handles the day‑to‑day operations, maintenance and compliance of the data‑center assets. This separation of roles is projected to improve service reliability for SoftBank’s customers, including enterprise clients and mobile users.

While the partnership offers significant benefits, it also presents challenges. Integrating two large organizations’ operational practices requires careful coordination to avoid service disruptions. Additionally, the rapid pace of technological change in data‑center design means that both firms must invest continuously in new hardware and software to stay competitive. Regulatory scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions could also slow down expansion plans, especially in regions with strict data‑protection laws.

Despite these hurdles, industry analysts predict that the alliance will strengthen SoftBank’s position in the global data‑center market. By combining SoftBank’s brand power with DigitalBridge’s operational expertise, the partnership is poised to become a benchmark for future infrastructure collaborations in the tech sector.