US technology giant Microsoft has agreed to buy an Enfield communications firm.

The acquisition of Metaswitch Networks will boost Microsoft’s range of offerings for the telecommunications industry as it moves to 5G technology.

Founded in 1981, Metaswitch provides software to more than 1,000 service providers across the globe.

It employs more than 350 people in the borough, and construction of a £26.7 million new headquarters for the firm in Genotin Road, Enfield Town, is currently underway.

Microsoft announced the acquisition on May 19.

Yousef Khalidi, corporate vice-president of Azure Networking at Microsoft, said: “Metaswitch’s complementary portfolio of ultra-high-performance, cloud-native communications software will expand our range of offerings available for the telecommunications industry.

“As the industry moves to 5G, operators will have opportunities to advance the virtualization of their core networks and move forward on a path to an increasingly cloud-native future.”

Metaswitch chief executive Martin Lund said he was “more excited than ever to continue our journey with the added momentum, technology, services, and people that Microsoft can bring”.

He added: “We’ll be ideally placed to aid those operators keen to transition to cloud-native deployments, to 5G networks and to the era of compelling applications that are served from the core and edge of new network architectures.”

Cllr James Hockney (Conservative, Bush Hill Park), shadow cabinet member for the economy, said: “The acquisition of Metaswitch by Microsoft is a huge boost to the Enfield economy – and I very much hope to see increased jobs and investment as a result. This news is so important as we move through the Covid-19 challenge.

“Microsoft coming to Enfield will put our community on the global tech/research and development map as a place to invest and grow. We offer great transport links both into London on the underground and the M25 on our doorstep. Enfield has demonstrated through companies like Metaswitch that we can innovate and have the talent to back this up. Let this be the signal that now is a great time to invest in Enfield!”

Council leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan (Labour, Jubilee) said: “Enfield has been home to Metaswitch Networks for around three decades and the news of its acquisition by Microsoft is fantastic for the area’s continued growth. Enfield Council has been working closely with Metaswitch to accommodate its planned expansion, with the building of its new UK headquarters in the heart of Enfield Town.

“We have a strong and proud history of supporting innovators in Enfield. In addition, Metaswitch’s news will complement our far-reaching inward investment, regeneration and employment plans in Enfield Town, at a time when it is needed the most.”