Avenir eyes comms channel growth

Orange and O2 distributor wants to be as big a player in fixed-line space as it is mobile

Mobile distributor Avenir Telecoms has hired a former Nortel head to spearhead its push into the fixed-line communications channel.

The Orange, O2 and Three partner has recently branched out into the IT/mobile convergence and mobile accessories markets.

It is now gunning for a slice of the comms market and has hired Ben Price from Nortel to head up the initiative as channel manager. He will oversee work across voice, data and IP/convergence projects while supporting and growing Avenir's dealer base.

Avenir's managing director, Andy Tow, said: “Ben brings with him a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm, which is perfectly matched against our ambitions to become as significant a player in the comms channel as we are in mobile.”

Price has worked in the networking and telecoms industry for over ten years, having also spent time at Telstra Europe and Weston Digital Technologies.

“In this time I've gained a variety of knowledge and skills through employment with market leaders, most recently working with Nortel,” he said.

“I assisted Nortel in successfully launching its SMB product range into British Telecom through its Local Business division.”