PARTNER CHANNEL: NEWS BRIEFS

Posted: 9/2003

NEWS BRIEFS

Con Edison Communications has
introduced PowerCall Plus, an integrated voice and data service for small
businesses in New York City. The service, sold via agents and direct sales,
enables customers with eight to 20 employees to have voice and data services
over a single, shared T1 line. PowerCall Plus customers can order up to 24 voice lines while
maintaining the ability to use up to a full 1.5mbps for Internet access.

Inatel has
changed its name to Logicware.
The name change is the first step in a fresh brand identity that includes a new
marketing campaign kicking off this fall. The company offers Web-based software
automation tools for small and midmarket telecom companies such as resellers,
master agents and service providers. The marketing campaign will include print
ads highlighting Logicwares development, a booth display at Channel Partners
Conference & Expo held this September at the Loews Hotel in Miami Beach,
Fla., and a private reception following the conferences opening day at South
Beachs Crobar nightclub.

PlanetOne Communications Inc. and ZTel Communications Inc. have
announced a new strategic relationship. PlanetOne will market the Z-Tel bundled
local and long-distance residential and business products through its nationwide
agent channel.

Z-Tel offers an all you can eat residential plan, Z-Line
Home, in 47 states. The plan ranges from $49 to $59 monthly, depending on where
the customer is located. Z-Line Business is available in 47 states and offers a
15 percent to 40 percent discount off the RBOCs pricing for comparable
bundles, says the company. The savings depend on how many lines are ordered,
features, region and services.

Agent accounts are managed online from submission to
activation, and new accounts are typically activated within 10 business days.

For Metropolitan Telecommunications (MetTel) sales agents, the commission check no longer
will be in the mail. Its in the bank. MetTel introduced direct deposit for
its monthly payments to agents. MetTel has created a proprietary system for
calculating agent commissions and reporting commission status in real time. The
direct deposit program is linked to that system.

Birch Telecom announced
the launch of remote access (virtual private network or LAN extension) and
networking services in seven states in the Southeast. The services are available
to the Birch agent channel. Teleworker, which can be operated through special
software or any standard Web browser, provides personal remote access to e-mail,
shared files and applications. A second product, Site to Site, gives branch
locations the ability to access data and programs at other offices. A variety of
security benefits including firewalls, virus protection and intrusion detection
can be included with the offerings. The services can be combined with Birch
Internet access.

MegaPath Networks Inc. announced
that master agency Intelisys Inc. has joined the Pathways Partner Program.
Intelisys delivers voice and data communications services through a nationwide
network of more than 500 telecom consultants, VARs and independent sales agents.
By leveraging MegaPaths nationwide service footprint, Intelisys can offer its
customers broadband and managed network services, including DSL, cable, ISDN,
managed IP VPNs, full and fractional T1 and T3 access, from more than 9,000
Central Offices located in more than 95 percent of all major and secondary U.S.
business markets.