O2 gets fixated with partners
Vendor hand picks fixed-line resellers to trade exclusively at wholesale level in phase two of its channel programme
Telecoms giant O2 has continued its channel love-in with the launch of the second phase of its plan to work with fixed resellers in the form of its Joined Up Communications (JUC) wholesale partner channel programme.
Aimed at wholesale partners, the scheme will see up to 20 selected fixed-line partners sign a mobile relationship to trade exclusively with O2 at wholesale level, offering both O2 mobile services and fixed broadband.
The announcement follows the launch of the JUC channel partner programme last August, where three partners became aggregators, offering a white-label mobile service to their fixed-line customers.
Broadband services will be provided by BE, a wholly owned subsidiary of O2, and partners have committed to putting a significant amount of their wholesale broadband business through O2.
A number of partners have already signed up to the scheme including: Actimax, Performance Telecom, Executel, Peach Telecom, ICS, Comtact, Sears Communications, 2 Circles, IP Intergration, Universal Telecom , Talk Straight, Modern Communications and Ardencomm.
O2 revealed it was in negotiations with others, which will be announced in the coming weeks. As a result of the partnership, resellers will get benefits such as specialised business training and development, access to marketing resources and an online marketing toolkit. They will also own and bill their customers directly with a range of O2 mobile and data products and services.
Maggie Kennedy, head of partners at O2, said: “Since we announced our JUC channel partner programme we have already seen a substantial growth in the reseller market.
This new scheme for wholesale partners will continue our journey to become the operator of choice for all types of services in the channel.”
The scheme was welcomed by partners. John Massey, managing director of Actimax said: “In a continually changing market, O2 is our preferred option to break into a new area of the market and work together with to grow our portfolio to include mobile and increase earning potential for Actimax.
“Last year, we made it clear that O2 had got it wrong with the offer they had delivered to the market, however, it is refreshing that they listened and made the changes that we asked for. I look forward to working with a network directly.”
Darren Scott-Healey, managing director of Peach Telecom, added: “We’re delighted to have secured this relationship with O2. We have always focused on innovation, speed of delivery, unmatched customer care, great value, and tempting offers. These are the fundamental ingredients of creating a strong customer experience that gives us the edge and keeps us in our leading position. The relationship is a fantastic opportunity that will complement and enhance our existing offering to our 5000-strong SME customers.”