Across The Telecom Spectrum: 6 Moves Making Waves In The Channel

Hot Channel Happenings

The dog days of summer aren't bringing down the telecommunications industry. June was another bustling month, complete with acquisitions, new offerings and partnerships forged.

This month, the large telecommunications providers pumped out new products and services for the channel, but smaller VoIP providers got in on the action, too.

From new programs for partners, to the latest products and executive moves, here are six things that happened in the telecom industry in June that solution providers should know about now.

AT&T Lets Partners Resell Samsung Galaxy S7 Active, Adds Samsung Segment To Mobility Certification Program

AT&T Partner Exchange members now have access to resell the new -- and rugged --Samsung Galaxy S7 Active device.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active has the same features that can be expected from the Galaxy S7 series, including a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera with dual pixel technology, fingerprint sensor and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 processor. Dallas-based AT&T also is adding a Samsung-specific segment to its Mobility Certification Achievement Program, the carrier said.

Customers can choose their new device in a variety of colors, including sandy gold, titanium gray and camo green. Earlier in June, AT&T Partner Exchange also made the Samsung Galaxy J3 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab E available to customers and channel partners.

Adtran Launches Managed Services Program For Partners

Telecommunications networking equipment provider Adtran unveiled a managed services program that allows businesses to easily purchase networking solutions at a monthly price from Adtran channel partners.

Via the new program -- ProCloud Subscription Services -- MSP partners have an easy model to deliver cloud-managed wired and wireless services that can support high-bandwidth applications, like voice and video, for their end customers.

MSP partners also have access to the ProCloud management portal that gives a single view into all connected devices across a customer's network. This visibility can be used to tailor services for customers, in a pay-by-the-drink model, according to Huntsville, Ala.-based Adtran.

CenturyLink Partners With Nxtra Data To Bring IT Services To India

Monroe, La.-based CenturyLink had a busy month, complete with a new SD-WAN offering and two acquisitions. At the same time, the telecom giant unveiled a partnership with Nxtra Data Limited, a data center services provider and operator based in Zone, India.

CenturyLink and Nxtra, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, teamed up to provide advanced hosting and managed IT services to enterprises in India. The partnership will combine Nxtra's data center management expertise with CenturyLink's cost-effective hosting, managed services and cloud capabilities to serve businesses and government organizations in India, the companies said.

The partnership will benefit existing Indian companies, as well as CenturyLink customers looking to build a presence in India, CenturyLink said.

RingCentral Selects Former VMware Exec To Lead Marketing Efforts

Coming off its new partnership with Google and Avant Communications, UCaaS provider RingCentral appointed Riadh Dridi as chief marketing officer.

Dridi, an industry veteran, comes to Belmont, Calif.-based RingCentral after most recently serving as vice president and head of Americas marketing for VMware. Prior to his appointment at VMware, Dridi worked for Hewlett-Packard in enterprise marketing, partner marketing, product management and sales.

In his new role at RingCentral, Dridi will be responsible for the strategy and execution of RingCentral’s global marketing efforts.

3CX, Telin Partner To Host Cloud PBX Services For The Channel

VoIP provider 3CX teamed up with Telin, a VoIP service provider for medical and SMB markets. Through the partnership, Telin will host 3CX's cloud-based communications offerings for channel partners in the U.S. and Canada.

Solution providers can host their 3CX licenses on Telin's cloud distribution platform, in a dedicated environment within Telin's Tier 4 rated data center.

Telin will be offering 3CX partners their first month of service free. Setup fees when either moving existing clients or on-boarding new installations will also be free for a limited time, the company said.

Broadview Expands Hardware Phone Options For Resellers

Cloud-based communications provider Broadview Networks is expanding its portfolio of phones that can be used with its cloud-based OfficeSuite UC platform.

Business customers can now use Polycom VVX Series model phones with OfficeSuite. Channel partners selling OfficeSuite are also able to sell the popular line of Polycom phones along with Broadview solutions, the company said.

Customers who already own the supported phones can now support the OfficeSuite UC phone system on their devices. Channel partners can sell the new Polycom devices up front, or include the hardware in a monthly service cost to customers.