5 Things You May Not Know About T-Mobile's Channel Program

The 'Un-Carrier' Movement

T-Mobile, once a consumer-focused carrier, has set its sights on the business market. In 2014, the carrier launched its channel partner program, giving master agents and solution providers easy access to monthly recurring revenue for its voice and data plans.

Bellevue, Wash.-based T-Mobile U.S. has stayed close to its roots. The company doesn't have a cloud focus and, instead of branching out into new technologies, T-Mobile has been expanding the reach of its data network and connectivity services for end customers.

Some solution providers are now taking another look at what T-Mobile has to offer. Here are five things to know about the carrier's young channel strategy.

Joining T-Mobile's Channel Partner Program

T-Mobile interacts with solution providers in the traditional agency model in which the carrier supports and bills the end customer directly. T-Mobile pays the solution provider in a residual, monthly commission on the contract.

Solution providers can also partner with T-Mobile via a master agent, among them Malibu, Calif.-based World Telecom Group (WTG), Petaluma, Calif.-based Intelisys and Scottsdale, Ariz.-based PlanetOne Communications.

Wireless Plans

T-Mobile's Business plan, Simple Choice for Business, follows the same structure as the carrier's consumer plans -- no annual contracts. The Simple Choice name emphasizes the carrier's goal to provide straightforward monthly bills to business customers.

Businesses can buy 10 lines for $160, with an additional $15 per line after that. For a limited time, the carrier is offering four lines with 6 GB each for $30 per month, per line. All T-Mobile business plans offer unlimited high-speed data, texting and calling to and from more than 140 countries.

The Network

While T-Mobile's network still may not have the same coverage as competitors, its 4G LTE network expanded geographically by 250 percent in 2015, the company said during a recent investor conference. T-Mobile plans to build the network out even more in 2016, with aggressive plans for the upcoming 600MHz spectrum auction.

Putting Its Money Where Its Mouth Is

Since launching its partner program a year and a half ago, T-Mobile has been dedicating the right resources behind its channel strategy, said Andrew Pryfogle, senior vice president of cloud transformation for Intelisys, a T-Mobile partner.

The carrier has dedicated channel managers around the country supporting partners, and is participating in master agent educational events and conferences to share its story.

"Being present, showing up at events, and being available to partners is half the battle," Pryfogle said. "T-Mobile was out of sight, out of mind for a long time."

As T-Mobile becomes more visible, its brand in the consumer space is proving very similar to the brand it's pushing in the business sector, Pryfogle said. The carrier is coming in with disruptive price points and is attracting small to midsize customers with less than 1,500 seats.

T-Mobile's Future

Open questions remain in the telecommunications arena with companies entering and leaving the cloud space, and carriers deciding to get back to their roots and focus on core wireline and wireless assets. With those questions comes uncertainty, and the channel is understandably cautious as it waits for clarity.

The telecommunications industry is no stranger to consolidation, but this fact doesn't impact the level of interest in a carrier from the channel, according to Jonathan Hartman, vice president of sales for PlanetOne, one of T-Mobile's first partners.

"That fact won't sway a partner one way or another because we are just so used to hearing those things in this industry. Partners look to find customers the best solutions at the best process, and if a company gets acquired, partners can work though that and manage the transition for the client," Hartman said.