Top Stories: New T-Mobile Partner Program; MSP-Agent Channels Converging?

T-Mobile and Sprint are bringing their indirect channels together.

The recently consolidated carrier kicked the week off with a bang. And the action didn’t stop there, as our team hosted the Channel Partners Virtual event. The world’s most influential vendors, MSPs, agents and VARs convened online for education and networking. Out of the show came some hot content, like the convergence debate that we’ve included in our list.

We summarized the five most popular articles on our website this week.

5. New Services Roundup: RingCentral, Windstream, Video Conferencing

Video conferencing featured prominently in our latest products and services update.

From Microsoft unveiling a new version of Teams to Zoom expanding its Phone service to new countries, several vendors enhanced their product set in August. We covered these updates, as well as announcements around SD-WAN and UCaaS.

Check out the gallery.

4. Microsoft Plots Teams Advanced Communications Discount, Free Conferencing Offer

The computing giant announced new offers to help it keep pace with Zoom and Cisco’s conferencing services.

Customers can buy the recently unveiled Advanced Communications version of Teams for a 35% discount until Jan 31, 2021. Moreover, Microsoft is offering its Office 365 clients free audio conferencing for a year.

“Adding in free conferencing and reducing the licensing costs for Teams calling features should make adopting the Teams phone system features more attractive for those using Teams for messaging and meetings,” an analyst told Channel Partners.

Jeffrey Schwartz wrote about the new offer.

3. Industry Pundits Clash Over MSP-Agent, IT-Telecom Convergence

Agents want to converge with MSPs because the agent model is dying and the MSP model is thriving.

At least that’s what Rob Rae, Datto‘s senior vice president of business development, told a partner audience on Tuesday. Rae and Agent Alliance CEO Bill Power debated Pax8‘s Andrew Pryfogle and TPx Communications‘ Jared Martin about the future of the agent and MSP channels. They were speaking during the Channel Partners Virtual event.

Check out our recap of the panel.

2. Channel People on the Move: CenturyLink, Intelisys, Masergy

Master agents, carriers and all manner of vendors added to their headcounts last month.

For example, Masergy welcomed back a familiar face after his brief stint at Avaya. And Intelisys made two hires. Also, multiple companies, including CenturyLink, announced promotions in August.

Check out Galbraith’s recap.

1. T-Mobile Unveils New Channel Partner Program Post-Sprint Acquisition

T-Mobile announced its plan for the indirect channels that it and newly acquired Sprint have utilized over the years.

Executives on Tuesday introduced the T-Mobile for Business Partner Program, which combines the resources of both companies. Tim Acker, who boasts strong history in the distributor space and other areas of the channel, will serve as channel chief.

Learn about the partner program.