Complete Mobile is  BT Wholesale new project that provides the wholesale channel with portfolio of tariffs designed for mobile resellers to access to EE. It went live last month for new business and migrations from legacy EE contracts.

Offerings to partners include 30-day SIM-only contracts alongside 12-month and 24-month terms to overcome objections from business buyers over longer-term lock-ins wholesale channel.

Complete Mobile allows resellers to brand the mobile service to their own organisation and tailor commercial support. The idea is to help partners move beyond commoditised connectivity and build deeper customer relationships Planned portal integration for SIM management, billing, and reporting will also be available to partner operations.

Cellhire MD Matt Bennett says the initiative will unlock new revenue streams and extend reach and help partners deal with demands partners face in competing with rival wholesale offerings.

“Demand for EE’s network capabilities has surged, and this partnership empowers us to provide more future-ready offerings. This isn’t just about better connectivity. It’s about creating opportunities for partners to unlock new revenues, reach broader audiences, and drive sustainable growth.”

Cellhire claims to be the only company in the UK with wholesale agreements with Vodafone, O2, EE, and Three networks, and is a network provider for the eSIMSmart brand.

]]> https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/cellhire-partners-get-better-ee-access-bt-wholesales-new-suite-services/feed/ 0 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/bt-wholesale-research-reveals-big-5g-ai-selling-opportunities-partners/ https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/bt-wholesale-research-reveals-big-5g-ai-selling-opportunities-partners/#respond Thu, 23 May 2024 12:24:16 +0000 https://mncwp.tailrd.cloud/bt-wholesale-research-reveals-big-5g-ai-selling-opportunities-partners/ There are significant opportunities for channel partners to sell 5G and Unified Communications as a Service says BT Wholesale’s latest research study of employees, IT decision-makers, and resellers across various industries. The survey was of 250 UK respondents made up of employees, IT decision makers and resellers from accommodation, construction, IT/Comms, manufacturing, professional services, retail,

There are significant opportunities for channel partners to sell 5G and Unified Communications as a Service says BT Wholesale’s latest research study of employees, IT decision-makers, and resellers across various industries.

The survey was of 250 UK respondents made up of employees, IT decision makers and resellers from accommodation, construction, IT/Comms, manufacturing, professional services, retail, and utilities

As 5G continues its rollout, 78 percent of resellers report customer inquiries about 5G., Around 61 percent of IT decision-makers plan to invest in AI within the next year, driven by 59 percent of employees calling for AI developments. However, 27 percent of IT decision-makers and 20 percent of employees still do not fully grasp AI’s significance.

Eighty percent of IT decision-makers said that upgrading technology enhances employee performance, with 75 percent of those surveyed prioritizing tech investments this year.

Around 42 percent of channel resellers surveyed cited cybersecurity as a top priority, while only 27 percent of IT decision-makers and 25 percent of employees were concerned.

Sustainability is quite a big deal, with 40 percent of resellers and around a third of customers viewing it as a priority.

Seventy-five percent of respondents across all groups support remote work at least once a week, with most wanting two remote days.

Employee demand for better connectivity is strong, with 65 percent seeking faster and more reliable connections. The shift to all-IP is not prioritized, with only 31 percent of IT decision-makers and 16 percent of employees recognizing its importance.

Gavin Jones, Channel Partners Director at BT Wholesale, commented: “Our research offers invaluable insights for partner growth. Embracing 5G, AI, and cybersecurity is essential. The channel must navigate the evolving tech landscape.”

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Businesses here who have access to full fibre to their premises can upogradetheir broadband at no extra cost to their monthly payments.

The ‘Free Ultra-Fast Fibre’ program will assist businesses seeking larger bandwidth options. Participants get free installation, FTTP delivery, a new line/ONT box, and a service upgrade, without any additional charges to monthly fees.

John Roulston, Barclay Communications’ Sales Director, said, “We handle the entire installation process. Our goal is to simplify the process for our customers, as complexity often deters them. We’re committed to making the transition as smooth and straightforward as possible.”

Around 91 per cent of businesses in Northern Ireland have access to FTTP but only 20 per cent are aware they can get the faster service. Businesses here have the best opportunity to access the fastest speed. It still shocks me how many organisations struggle with poor internet speed”.

Barclay Communications founder Britt Megahey , said the program represents a significant step towards transforming the digital landscape of Northern Ireland.

“We aim to bridge the digital divide and drive economic growth in the region. This initiative will be a game-changer for Northern Irish businesses.The goal is to make FTTP available to 50,000 eligible businesses by the end of the year ,

BT Wholesale,Senior Sales Manager, Katrina O’Mahony, said: “We have provided the initial upgrade to FTTP, The collaboration means we can make a huge difference for Northern Ireland businesses of all sizes.”

 Businesses can check their eligibility for the FTTP upgrade on the Barclay web site. They must be trading within Northern Ireland to qualify for the free upgrade.

BT Wholesale has worked with Spitfire for more than 20 years and has Elite Partner status.

The Enhanced Mobile and Spitfire Unified Network solutions will be commercially available in autumn 2023

Spitfire already provides fixed line fibre and private network connectivity, including direct access into Amazon AWS/Microsoft Azure and other cloud providers the Spitfire’s Cloud Connect solution

These connectivity services will now be expanded to include 4G voice and 4G/5G, data and IoT connectivity with Enhanced Mobile. Spitfire customers will be able to have single unified network across mobile and fixed line bypassing the public internet. Customers can specify a private APN network and have their own IP address range.

“By adding Enhanced Mobile to our service offering, we complete the jigsaw by enabling our customers and partners to benefit from easy access to one unified network solution for all of their connectivity needs. In conjunction they will continue to benefit from our experienced UK team providing the best levels of business class customer service.” said Spitire Network Services managing director Harry Bowlby,

The deal will see Lyca’s entire customer base move across to EE following a new agreement with BT Wholesale. which sells MVNO’s airtime on the EE network.

Lyca Mobile’s UK customers in the UK customer experience will get future access to services such as WiFi calling.  Lyca has been with O2 since 2009 and renewed its agreement in 2015.

Richard Schäfer, Lyca Group newly-appointed CEO, said:

“The partnership with BT Wholesale is a critical milestone in Lyca Mobile’s strategy to target a broader section of UK mobile users with cost-effective and high-quality services. Network performance has become a vital concern for mobile users I also want to thank O2 for our many years of partnership. Without their support we could not have grown into the thriving business we are today, and we will always be sincerely grateful for their leadership, innovation and collaboration” 

Alex Tempest, MD, BT Wholesale, said: “This major new MVNO deal with Lyca Mobile reflects the ongoing importance of wholesale to BT and is testament to the high quality of service we provide to customers and the strength of our EE network. Lyca Mobile customers will receive access to EE’s 4G and 5G network, which currently supports data speeds that are around four times as fast as what they received previously. We look forward to working closely with Lyca Mobile as part of this new long-term partnership and aim to provide the best mobile experience for customers.”

Earlier this year, Lyca Mobile announced a freeze on its prices until the end of 2023 and guaranteed EU roaming for customers across its plans. This will continue unchanged under its new partnership with BT Wholesale.

Spusu was launched in Austria in 2015 where it has 500,000 customers, and in Italy in 2020. In Austria it has become the second MVNO on the market.

Spusu will be offering an unlimited promotional plan with unlimited data, SMS and minutes for just £19.90 per month to anyone who signs up by June 29

Spusu’s Austrian product portfolio includes an unlimited 5G monthly package with no speed caps with EU roaming and international calls to the EU.

“This is a really exciting move for us. It was obvious from the beginning that BT Wholesale was the perfect, proactive partner for us” said Christian Banhans, Director of spusu UK.

Alex Tempest, Managing Director, BT Wholesale added:“The partnership is an exciting development’

BT and Amazon Web Services the subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms have teamed up to bring 5G and 4G mobile edge computing services to BT’s UK business customers. Edge computing is computing done near the source of the data, instead of relying on the cloud at a data centre to do the processing,

Combining EE’s 5G and 4G networks with cloud services from Amazon Web Services (AWS) will provide faster secure connectivity and faster cloud processing.  AWS Wavelength embeds AWS computer and storage services within 5G and 4G networks, providing mobile edge computing infrastructure for ultra-low-latency applications.

Hosting services directly at the edge of EE’s UK network reduces lag, as application traffic can reach application servers running in the AWS Wavelength Zone without leaving BT’s network. This opens up mobile edge computing infrastructure for businesses to develop, deploy, and scale mobile Internet of Things (IoT) applications over BT’s existing 5G network securely.

Sectors that will benefit from the move include autonomous vehicles, cameras for policing and other public services like community healthcare, live media production and smart industrial robots, wearable cameras for paramedics and ambulance staff, police body cameras for instant replay and higher-grade footage and ‘frictionless retail’, where shoppers can enter a store, pick up their products and walk out without the need to scan, queue, or check out.

A new AWS Wavelength Zone in Manchester will run trials for eligible businesses and public sector organisations within a 100-kilometre radius(including Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Blackpool. BT wants to roll out AWS Wavelength to business customers across the UK in the coming years.

“Launching the AWS Wavelength is set to unlock use cases like IoT cameras to help first responders keep communities safe: a real-life example of using tech to connect for the good” said BT Wholesale MD Alex Tempest.

“By building cloud edge services into our 5G and 4G EE network, we can accelerate innovation across industries, and bring fast, secure data processing closer to where our customers need it most. We want to give businesses and public sector organisations all the power of edge computing, wherever they are.”

BT has launched a trial where Leeds has become one of the first cities in the UK to be fitted with the latest 5G technology.

Leeds is one of the first cities to trial C-RAN, which uses cloud computing technology to support 5G connectivity, which can be fitted into many different units.

In the future, it could be installed as individual street works or fitted in existing street-furniture, such as lampposts or CCTV, to produce a 5G signal.

Led by BT Wholesale, the pilot scheme plans to enhance coverage and connectivity for everyone in Leeds as a proof of concept for future developments.

The first units have been installed at key locations in Leeds city centre and will allow BT to monitor how the infrastructure improves 5G access in the area. 

EE and Three are currently using the infrastructure for the trial. 

Alex Tempest, Managing Director, BT Wholesale, said: “The introduction of this new technology highlights BT’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors, whilst also supporting economic growth across Leeds and the wider UK.

“This trial represents another step in transforming connectivity for the future and will help us better understand how 5G can best be delivered to meet the demands of the country.”

BT Wholesale has announced it is bringing EE mobile connectivity to the wholesale market due to be launched in early 2023.

Once trials have been completed, partners will be able to sell EE mobile SIMs- and this marks the first time EE connectivity will be available to enterprise resellers via a direct channel model with BT Wholesale.

This will be available to resellers across the UK that are members of Partner Plus– BT Wholesale’s partner programme- and they can use a combination of BT Wholesale and EE to grow their businesses. 

The launch will enable access to EE’s 4G and 5G networks and boost resellers’ ability to support end users requirements.

EE mobile SIMs help provide future foundations for innovative technologies, and support the move from legacy voice setups and the PSTN switch-off in 2025.

Gavin Jones, Channel Partners Director at BT Wholesale said: “We are seeing a clear shift in businesses moving away from legacy voice services and we’re providing partners with Complete Convergence across fibre, cloud voice and mobile. 

“The EE mobile SIM is another way to deliver unparalleled access however partners need it. Ultimately, this backs resellers to maximise relationships as customers take more control of their digital destiny.

“Making EE SIMs available via a wholesale model means partners can offer customers the might of the UK’s best mobile and biggest fixed broadband networks. 

“The pandemic taught the channel that we need to be more flexible in our approach, and that’s reflected in our launches. We provide our partners with flexibility and choice so they can pass that through to their customers as they accelerate their own digital journeys.” 

Plan.com has launched its second mobile network on its connectivity platform via its Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement with BT Wholesale.

The company has expertise in the provision of innovative connectivity and productivity solutions to businesses across the UK through “my.plan.”

My.plan helps businesses connect and control communications in one place by operating across devices, services and networks. 

The agreement with BT Wholesale gives customers choice, flexibility and access to a second mobile network for them to take advantage of EE’s connectivity. 

Plan.com CEO and co-founder Dan Craddock said: “We have improved our platform capability, enhanced our value proposition, and with two UK mobile networks now on our my.plan platform, our channel partner and customers will benefit from an improved suite of products, services and functionality, designed to meet their changing needs. 

“We’re excited to bring our enhanced unified communications offering to market and look forward to working with the BT Wholesale team in the coming months.”

BT Wholesale MVNO director Nick Wootten added: “With business customers placing an increasing importance on data speeds and 5G coverage, we’re delighted to see this new mobile proposition go live on the market leading plan.com portal, ensuring such valued customers also have access to the UKs best 5G network and super-fast low latency connectivity across the UK, as we progress our plans to deliver a 5G solution anywhere in the UK by 2028.