Qwest Adds In-Region Services to Wholesale Agent Program

By Khali Henderson

Six months after the official launch of its wholesale agent program, Qwest Communications International Inc. is adding its in-region services to the available portfolio.

Derek Koecher, Qwest Wholesales director of sales operations and business development, said the program intentionally was launched in 36 out-of-region states and internationally in an effort to grow business in those geographies. However, the company quickly found demand, particularly for its high-bandwidth services, in region among its new wholesale agent base, which now numbers more than 60, up from 45 in March. These guys are filling in the gaps for Qwest Wholesale, Koecher said, noting the wholesale agents primarily are targeting cablecos, wireless operators and ISPs for these services, such as GeoMax, Qwests Ethernet offer.

Under the program, agents earn 2.4 percent commission on voice services, 6 percent on data services and a higher, negotiated rate for the higher-bandwidth services.

Two of the companys agents have been selling the services on a trial basis for the past three months, Koecher said. And, he said, another 10 to 15 are looking at.

Koecher says efforts on the international front are heating up, too. The company has about 10 wholesale agents in Asia, Latin America and Europe targeting competitive carriers in those regions.

He added that wholesale international generally is a growing focus for the carrier, and this month the company tapped Steve Kopp to manage the business as the director of the international long-distance trading desk, reporting to Koecher.