May 16 — In a significant move within the telecom sector, Charter Communications has announced its intent to acquire privately owned Cox Communications for a staggering $21.9 billion. This strategic acquisition aims to consolidate two of the most prominent players in the U.S. cable and broadband market.
This deal adds to an already impressive roster of high-value tech mergers and acquisitions that have reshaped the industry over the last decade. From cloud computing giants to chip manufacturers and telecom operators, U.S.-based technology companies have engaged in multibillion-dollar deals to expand reach, consolidate power, and accelerate innovation.
Here’s a recap of some of the largest U.S. tech deals of the past 10 years:
Microsoft Acquires LinkedIn – $26.2 Billion (2016)
Microsoft made waves by acquiring LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking platform, aiming to integrate professional services into its cloud ecosystem.
Dell Buys EMC – $67 Billion (2016)
One of the largest tech deals ever, Dell’s purchase of storage giant EMC was designed to create a powerhouse in enterprise computing and cloud infrastructure.
Broadcom’s Bid for Qualcomm – $117 Billion (Unsuccessful, 2018)
Although ultimately blocked by the U.S. government on national security grounds, Broadcom’s attempt to acquire chipmaker Qualcomm remains one of the biggest attempted tech takeovers in history.
NVIDIA’s Proposed Acquisition of ARM – $40 Billion (Terminated, 2022)
NVIDIA aimed to acquire British chip designer ARM to bolster its dominance in mobile and AI chip technology. However, global regulatory pushback ended the deal.
IBM Acquires Red Hat – $34 Billion (2019)
IBM’s purchase of open-source software leader Red Hat was aimed at boosting its hybrid cloud offerings in a bid to compete with Amazon and Microsoft.
Amazon Acquires Whole Foods – $13.7 Billion (2017)
Though not a traditional tech deal, Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods was a bold move into brick-and-mortar retail and disrupted the grocery industry.
Salesforce Buys Slack – $27.7 Billion (2021)
To compete with Microsoft Teams, Salesforce acquired Slack, signaling a major bet on the future of workplace collaboration and digital communication.
With the Charter-Cox deal now on the table, it’s clear that consolidation remains a major strategy among U.S. tech and telecom firms. As companies continue to innovate and evolve, expect even more headline-making mergers in the years to come.
