This week in the ICT Channel...

Comms Dealer magazine rounds up the top channel news that broke during the week.....

Wavenet and Daisy Corporate Services deal approved

The merger of Wavenet and Daisy Corporate Services has been given regulatory approval with the new combined business to operate under the Wavenet brand and be led by existing CEO Philip Grannum .

The merger creates a goliath independent IT managed services and security provider, focusing on delivering cyber, cloud and intelligent network solutions to UK businesses and the public sector.

It will employ around 2,000 staff and support over 22,000 customers. Daisy Chairman, Matthew Riley will join the new board as non-executive director, with Wavenet Chairman Bill Dawson staying on in his current role.?Daisy CEO Neil Thompson will be leaving the business.

Grannum said: “By combining our strengths, resources and expertise, we are poised to create a stronger and more innovative organisation, well positioned to maximise on the rising tide markets of cyber, cloud and intelligent communications.

?“The coming weeks and months will see a collaborative and transparent integration process to bring together our operations, systems and processes. Our focus will be on ensuring a smooth transition for our people, customers and partners.”

CNA Awards 2024 - Book your table now!

The Comms National Awards, the channel’s most coveted awards extravaganza, are now closed for entries - So now is the time to beat the rush and book your table at the most extravagant awards event of the year!

In addition to tables and places, we have a limited number of VIP table packages where you can entertain your team and your customers in style with the best seats in the house! We also have sponsorship packages which deliver a fantastic amount of branding profile before, during and after the awards. Message Heather Miles to book your place or visit Comms National Awards (cnawards.com) for further details.

The event will take place at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster, on 26th September 2024, celebrating stand-out MSPs, channel partners, vendors, carriers, service providers and distributors. Don't miss out!

Sona enters UK with Hull offices

Wholesale internet, cloud and hosted UC solution provider Sona Business B.V. has entered the UK market with new flagship offices in Hull to spearhead?domestic activities.

The company will be led by UK Partner Manager John McKindland who brings almost four decades of industry experience spanning military telecoms, hardware manufacturers, networks and distribution.

He said: “My role will be to launch an established product set into the UK to a select number of partners, brick by brick; a bit like a Lego set.

Business co-founder Sonia Harjani added: “Sona is on a mission to shake-up the market and forge a strong UK presence. Our core areas are connectivity, communication, cloud and mobility.”

UK Tech Distribution pens deal with Kisi

UK Tech Distribution has agreed an exclusive partnership with Kisi to become the sole distributor of its cloud-based access control solutions across the UK and Republic of Ireland.?

The collaboration enables UKTD’s to boost its cybersecurity offering for reseller partners.

Dean Seddon, Director UKTD , said: “Kisi’s approach to access control enhances security and introduces a recurring revenue model so resellers can build lasting relationships with their clients while ensuring a predictable and sustainable revenue stream for the future.?

Maximilian Schuetz , Co-founder and COO of Kisi, added: “The distribution agreement will reduce barriers to importing and any issues with exchange rates.”

Node4 to upgrade core network with Virgin Media Business Wholesale

Node4 has begun a major core network upgrade that will deliver a tenfold bandwidth increase facilitated by a new partnership with @Virgin Media Business Wholesale.

This will deliver performance gains across the company’s managed network and infrastructure services portfolio.??

The upgrade will see Node4 replace the physical fibre infrastructure between its national network of data centres and points of presence.

Glenn Akester , Technology & Innovation - Networks & Connectivity Director at Node4: “This upgrade heralds a significant boost in our bandwidth capacity and will empower our clients to access and utilise services in new and innovative ways.”

The upgrade is already underway and is on target for completion by March 2025.

Pulse Fibre launches wholesale platform

Pulse Fibre , which recently joined The Fibre Café platform, has launched its own wholesale platform available to all ISPs.

This will enable ISPs to access incremental properties beyond existing FTTP networks, with Pulse Fibre aiming to complete 250,000 unique connections into new build dwellings.

Sean Pearman , Technical Director at Pulse Fibre, said: “We have designed this platform to bridge the gap between service providers and network operators.

“By leveraging Pulse Fibre’s infrastructure, ISPs can now tap into new markets and provide high-speed internet services to previously underserved areas.”

Thanks for reading and we hope to see you back here next Friday for the latest news update. Be sure to subscribe at the top of this newsletter to get your copy.