Conflict and Controversy: AT&T, CenturyLink, Windstream Create Channel Buzz

Drama is never in short supply in the world of telecommunications and information technology — particularly in one of its important subsets, the channel.

Among the expected news of the day, like new hires, breaking M&A and changes in channel strategy, there also are controversies that get the channel talking. There have been quite a few in just the past few months.

Recent hubbub involves CenturyLink saying no to employee bonuses and raises while top executives helped themselves to high-dollar bonuses, unexpected layoffs at AT&T, and the shocking arrest of ConnectWise’s co-founder. A sudden channel-chief switch at Windstream and the unexpected departure of Equinix’s CEO also created buzz.

Click through the slides below to revisit the controversies and conflicts that have rocked the channel since last fall.