Bandwidth

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Communications platform offering VoIP, cloud contact center, and cloud PBX services.

Last updated August 31, 2026

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Overview

Bandwidth Inc. is an American communications platform as a service company that supplies communications infrastructure to businesses, software developers, and application providers. Its core offering is a set of application programming interfaces that allow customers to embed voice calling, text messaging, and emergency-services capabilities into software products and business workflows. Rather than operating primarily as a consumer-facing mobile or fixed-line brand, Bandwidth functions as an infrastructure and enablement provider between communications networks and the applications that use them. The company was founded in 1999 by David Morken. Henry Kaestner joined as a co-founder in 2001, when Bandwidth International was merged into Bandwidth.com. The business developed around programmable communications and network services, eventually building and operating its own global Internet Protocol voice network. This network-oriented model gave Bandwidth control over important elements of call and messaging delivery while supporting customers that needed communications functionality inside unified communications, contact-center, software-as-a-service, and other applications. Bandwidth became a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq in November 2017. Its initial public offering sold four million shares at $20 per share and raised approximately $80 million, marking the transition from a privately held communications technology company to a listed infrastructure provider. The company continued to expand its enterprise capabilities through international network assets and acquisitions. In October 2020, it announced an agreement to acquire Voxbone for an enterprise value of €446 million. Voxbone was known for international communications connectivity, and the transaction was intended to broaden Bandwidth’s global communications platform and enterprise reach. The company’s product scope includes programmable voice, application-to-person and person-to-application messaging, telephone numbers, communications APIs, and emergency calling services. These capabilities are designed for integration into third-party software rather than for direct retail consumption. Bandwidth has also participated in industry and academic work addressing abuse of communications networks. In 2020, it announced a partnership with North Carolina State University for research into fraudulent traffic patterns associated with robocalling. Bandwidth is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. In August 2023, it moved to a purpose-built, approximately 40-acre headquarters campus on Bandmate Way in Raleigh. The company was reported to have approximately 1,000 employees at that time. In January 2024, Bandwidth ended an incentive agreement with the state of North Carolina that had required the creation of more than 1,100 local jobs. The company said the decision would provide greater flexibility in hiring outside the Raleigh area. Bandwidth has also attracted attention for incorporating Christian religious practices into aspects of its corporate culture, including reports that some meetings begin with Christian prayers. This cultural characteristic distinguishes the company from many conventional technology firms, although it is separate from its principal commercial identity as a communications infrastructure and API provider.

History

Bandwidth Inc. originated in 1999 as a communications technology business founded by David Morken. In 2001, Henry Kaestner joined the organization as a co-founder, and Bandwidth International was merged into Bandwidth.com. The company’s development followed the broader shift from traditional telecommunications services toward software-controlled communications, in which voice, messaging, and related network functions can be embedded directly into business applications. Bandwidth built its business around communications infrastructure and application programming interfaces. It developed and operated a global Internet Protocol voice network and used that network to support programmable calling, messaging, and emergency-services functions. This positioned the company as a behind-the-scenes technology provider for enterprises and software companies rather than as a conventional consumer telecom operator. Customers can use its APIs and network services to add communications features to products such as business applications, contact-center systems, and other software platforms. A major corporate milestone came in November 2017, when Bandwidth completed an initial public offering on the Nasdaq. The offering sold four million shares at $20 each and raised approximately $80 million. Public-market status gave the company access to additional capital while subjecting it to the reporting and governance requirements of a listed technology company. Bandwidth pursued international expansion and broader enterprise connectivity through mergers and acquisitions. In October 2020, it announced a definitive agreement to acquire Voxbone for an enterprise value of €446 million. The proposed combination brought together Bandwidth’s programmable communications platform and Voxbone’s international connectivity capabilities, supporting the company’s objective of serving enterprise customers across more markets. The company also engaged in work related to the misuse of communications networks. In August 2020, Bandwidth announced a partnership with North Carolina State University for a study of fraudulent traffic patterns connected with robocalling. The research reflected an industry-wide concern that automated abuse, spoofing, and fraudulent calling can undermine trust in voice networks and impose costs on carriers, businesses, and consumers. In August 2023, Bandwidth moved to a purpose-built headquarters campus occupying approximately 40 acres at 2230 Bandmate Way in Raleigh, North Carolina. At that time, the company was reported to employ about 1,000 people. In January 2024, it terminated an incentive agreement with the state of North Carolina that had required the creation of more than 1,100 local jobs. Bandwidth cited the need for increased flexibility to hire beyond the Raleigh area. Bandwidth has received attention not only for its technology business but also for its corporate culture. Reports have described the use of Christian prayers at some meetings, an unusual practice for a publicly traded communications technology company. The available reference material does not establish a formal legal or regulatory scandal arising from that practice, so it is best understood as a reported cultural characteristic rather than a confirmed scandal.

2024
North Carolina incentive agreement terminated
[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
The company ended an employment incentive agreement with the state, citing greater hiring flexibility outside Raleigh.
2023
New Raleigh headquarters opens
[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Bandwidth moved to a purpose-built headquarters campus in Raleigh, North Carolina.
2020
Voxbone acquisition announced
[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Bandwidth announced an agreement to acquire Voxbone for an enterprise value of €446 million.
2017
Initial public offering
[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Bandwidth listed on Nasdaq after selling four million shares at $20 each and raising approximately $80 million.
2001
Henry Kaestner joins as co-founder
[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Henry Kaestner joined the company, and Bandwidth International was merged into Bandwidth.com.
1999
Bandwidth is founded
[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
David Morken founded the communications technology company that became Bandwidth.

Products and positioning

An infrastructure-focused communications platform that enables software companies and enterprises to integrate voice, messaging, and emergency services through APIs and network connectivity.

Voice communications API
Programmable Voice
API-based voice services that allow software and enterprise applications to place, receive, route, and manage telephone calls. The offering is supported by Bandwidth’s IP voice network and is intended for embedded communications use cases such as business software, unified communications, and contact-center applications.
Messaging API
Programmable Messaging
Application programming interfaces for integrating text messaging into software products and business processes. The service supports communications between applications and users and forms part of Bandwidth’s broader communications platform for enterprise and software customers.
Emergency communications
Emergency Services
Communications infrastructure and APIs for incorporating emergency calling capabilities into connected applications and business communications systems. The offering extends Bandwidth’s programmable network beyond ordinary voice and messaging functions.
Network infrastructure
Global IP Voice Network
Bandwidth operates a global Internet Protocol voice network that provides underlying connectivity for its programmable communications services. This infrastructure-oriented model enables the company to support application providers and enterprises that need communications capabilities without building a telecommunications network themselves.

Brand decisions

2024
Termination of North Carolina incentive agreementStrategy
Background
The agreement required Bandwidth to create more than 1,100 local jobs, while the company sought greater flexibility in where it recruited employees.
Action taken
Bandwidth terminated the incentive agreement with the state of North Carolina.
Aftermath
The company cited the ability to hire more flexibly outside the Raleigh area; the available material does not provide further financial or employment results.
Source
2020
Agreement to acquire VoxboneM&A
Background
Bandwidth pursued broader international communications connectivity and enterprise capabilities.
Action taken
The company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Voxbone.
Aftermath
The transaction was announced at an enterprise value of €446 million and was intended to strengthen Bandwidth’s international platform.
Enterprise value. €446 million (October 12, 2020)
Source
2017
Public-market listingOther
Background
Bandwidth sought access to public capital while continuing to scale its communications platform and network infrastructure.
Action taken
The company completed an initial public offering on Nasdaq, selling four million shares at $20 per share.
Aftermath
The offering raised approximately $80 million and made Bandwidth a publicly traded company.
IPO proceeds. $80 million raised (November 10, 2017)
Source

Recent events

2024
Bandwidth ends North Carolina incentive agreement[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Other
Bandwidth terminated an incentive agreement requiring the creation of more than 1,100 local jobs, citing the need for greater flexibility to hire outside Raleigh.
2023
Bandwidth opens purpose-built Raleigh headquarters campus[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Other
The company moved to a new approximately 40-acre headquarters campus at 2230 Bandmate Way in Raleigh, North Carolina.
2020
Bandwidth agrees to acquire Voxbone[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
The company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Voxbone for an enterprise value of €446 million, expanding its international communications capabilities.
2020
Bandwidth and NC State study robocalling fraud patterns[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Other
Bandwidth announced a partnership with North Carolina State University to study fraudulent traffic patterns associated with robocalling.
2017
Bandwidth completes initial public offering on Nasdaq[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Other
Bandwidth became a Nasdaq-listed company after selling four million shares at $20 per share and raising approximately $80 million.
Religious practices reported as part of Bandwidth’s corporate culture[1]Bandwidth Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Other
Bandwidth has been noted for incorporating Christian religious practices into elements of its business culture, including reports of meetings beginning with Christian prayers.

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