FirstLight Enlists TCG, Expands Sales Reach

Telecom Consulting Group (TCG) and its partners can sell new fiber optic connectivity services through a partnership with FirstLight.

The companies announced Wednesday that TCG joined FirstLight’s channel program. The deal brings together TCG, a Florida-based master agent, and FirstLight, a provider of fiber-optic data, cloud, data center and other services. Their alliance is already up and running, having scored an internet win with a Vermont-based customer.

TCG works with about 4,000 agents and employees 18 channel managers in the U.S.

FirstLight Mark Ayotte

“TCG is extremely well respected in the industry and treats its partners exceptionally well,” said Mark Ayotte, FirstLight’s senior director of channel sales. “We are proud and excited to have them as a master agent and expect our relationship to be mutually beneficial. FirstLight’s channel program will be stronger as a result of this collaboration.”

FirstLight joins a list of more than 150 carriers in TCG’s supplier stable. The company last month rolled out video conferencing and contact center solutions through partnerships with Metaswitch and Intermedia.

FirstLight last fall announced a partnership with P2 Business Solutions, which is part of the Technology Solutions Xchange master agent consortium.

TCG’s Dan Pirigyi

“FirstLight has a solid reputation as a quality provider of fiber-based connectivity, cloud services, and a growing portfolio of as-a-service solutions for enterprise customers,” said Dan Pirigyi, partner at TCG. “We’ve been impressed with FirstLight’s evolution in the Northeast, specifically the new acquisitions and solutions they’ve added.”

Those acquisitions include voice and data services provider PrimeLink, which FirstLight announced last month. FirstLight in December announced its purchase of colocation and managed IT services provider ColoSpace.

Private equity firm Oak Hill Partners bought FirstLight Fiber in 2016 and combined it with Oxford Networks and Sovernet Communications.

FirstLight is headquartered in Albany, New York.

TCG last month announced another fiber-related partnership, teaming up with RCN, Grande and Wave Business.