- Softbank is reportedly close to buying amps
- Deal of $ 6.5 billion could shake up AI and data centers
- There are questions about how it affects arms neutrality and softbank’s long -term strategy
Softbank, the Japanese owner of the arm, is close to acquiring Ampere Computing, a company that develops data center chips based on arm’s architecture.
In January 2025, BNN Bloomberg Reported Softbank explored a purchase of amps supported by Oracle and Private Equity Firm Carlyle Group, in a step that is largely seen as part of Softbank’s bid to challenge AMD and Intel’s dominance at AI and Data Center Chip Market. As we reported earlier, however, there were some obstacles to be overcome – amps were ready for a stock exchange listing, which suggested a desire to remain independent, while Softbank would require approval from both Oracle and Carlyle Group before an appointment could move on.
However, a new one Bloomberg The report suggests that the agreement is approaching completion and could be announced in the coming weeks. Sources who know the case estimate its value to be around $ 6.5 billion, including debt. In 2021, Softbank Ampsed to over $ 8 billion under a proposed minority investment.
Strategic questions
Amperees develop high-performance processors for data centers, including the 192-core “Polaris” Ampereone and upcoming 256-core “Magnetrix” using Arm’s Chip Designs. Acquiring amps could help Softbank that previously purchased UK-based AI chip designer Graphcore, expanding its footprint in the competitive data center and AI markets.
That said, the move raises some interesting strategic questions. Arm, long dominant in mobile chips, has worked to expand to server and AI treatment.
Ampere is one of the few companies that independently develops arm-based server chips. If the agreement goes on, it can affect the role of arms as a neutral supplier of intellectual property. Integrating Amps into Softbank’s ecosystem can also change competitive dynamics in the industry.
Market conditions add a further level of complexity to the benefits of buying amps will bring Softbank. The semiconductor sector faces increasing competition and concerns about curbing AI-related investments.
Seam Bloomberg Remarks, “Chinese start -up Deepseek, which revealed a cheap -produced AI model last month, has raised Specter that technology suppliers will not generate as much revenue as predicted.”
