www.comms-dealer.com EDITOR’S COMMENT
A RESELLER action group is being formed to combat regulations that could damage the business interests of resellers. This new force in comms, initiated by Nine Telecom MD James Palmer, already has the backing of the FCS and Comms Dealer magazine and could be the start of something big. We hope all resellers concerned about new and often unclear regulations support the cause and rally behind the Channel Army’s flag (see page 42).
Other major points of interest in this bumper November issue include our Comms National Awards four page picture special featuring all of this year’s deserving winners. Hats off to you all (see
Gamma sets mobile pace
GAMMA Telecom has reached another milestone, this time notch- ing up more than 30,000 mobile connections with its mobile voice and data service. Rob Davis, Senior Product
Manager, said: “We have over 100 channel partners selling Gamma Mobile and taking advantage of new demand for mobile access.”
O-bit rings in VoIP security with big USP
O-BIT Telecom has bolstered its VoIP portfolio with the launch of Purple Networx Hosted Secure. Connecting directly into O-
Stuart Gilroy
the Comms Dealer Hall of Fame on pages 32-35).
Another major event in the channel calendar is the world class Comms Vision Convention (10-12th November, Gleneagles). To get an early insight into the issues of major importance setting the agenda at this year’s CVC see our event preview
starting on page 45. n Stuart Gilroy
sgilroy@bpl-business.com
bit’s NGN, Hosted Secure allows VoIP traffic to run over a secure IP VPN rather than the Internet. A key USP of Hosted Secure is its full integration with SpliceCom handsets, offering users the full feature rich services available on the platform.
O-bit is the only company able to offer full integration over a WAN for SpliceCom handsets. Paul Cloudsdale, Technical
Director of O-bit Telecom, stated: “More and more companies are asking for VoIP and SIP services. It’s a great tool to have in your toolbox, and Hosted Secure is an exclusive product from O-bit.” O-bit will promote its new solution through targeted email campaigns and advertising.
Dealers tee up for Aastra’s annual golf extravaganza
OVER thirty channel partners took part in the Aastra golf day held at the prestigious Forest of Arden golf course, home to the English Open. Participants enjoyed an exhibi- tion of trick shots from the David Edwards golf show, before taking part in the team challenge event. The winning group, hosted by Andrew Foster of Aastra, included
Dale Owen of Aonix, Ian Renshaw of Voiplicity and Paul Allen of Admiral Voice & Data. Nearest the pin honours were
awarded to Reno Palagano of Dol- phin Communications and Andy Brannan from Aastra. The longest drive prize was won
by Sandy Walker from Damovo for a 327 yard monster.
NEWS
Investors eye up telecoms
THE telecoms market is now being viewed positively by private inves- tors, creating a healthy environ- ment for channel players seeking to grow their businesses. Paul Billingham, Director at Knight Corporate Finance, told Comms Dealer: “We are seeing a number of private equity funded deals in the sector which demon- strates the positive long-term view of telecoms from an investor per- spective. “Heightened interest from financial buyers are increasing the size of the buyer pool and support- ing valuation levels. “We are seeing interest from a
range of new investors and acquir- ers who have access to funds rang- ing from £500,000 to £50m.” Knight Corporate Finance has
recently advised the shareholders of Call Stream, one of the UK’s lead- ing inbound call solution special- ists, on its transaction with Bluebell Telecom (see page 12). The transaction was part of a wider deal that saw private equity firm Yorkshire Fund Managers and Octopus Venture Capital Trust invest in the Bluebell Group. The combined Group generates
revenues in excess of £10m and is now actively seeking new acquisi- tion opportunities. Henley in Arden-based Call
Stream will remain as a separate entity with the Group focusing on
Paul Billingham
inbound call solutions. Call Stream was owned and managed by Mark Drury who becomes a significant shareholder in Bluebell Group, and who will continue to manage Call Stream in addition to joining the Bluebell Group board. The Call Stream transaction is one of a number of private equity funded deals announced recently in the sector. ECI, LDC, HG Capital and Gresham have all entered the telco arena with the acquisition of XLN, Easynet, Manx Telecom and Spice Telecom respectively. “Whether you are consider- ing raising new finance, acquir- ing, considering an exit, or even a public listing, there’s no better time to maximise the value of your busi- ness,” added Billingham.
Got a news story? email:
sgilroy@bpl-business.com
www.comms-dealer.com
COMMS DEALER NOVEMBER 2010 3
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