Level 3 Enhances Business Partner Program

Level 3 Communications’ Business Markets Group today announced it has added several new components to its Business Partner Program, a comprehensive support program that enables select telecommunications agents and Value Added Resellers (VARs) to sell Level 3’s fiber-based IP, data and voice communications services. In an ongoing effort to respond to the needs of its business partners, Level 3 has implemented joint go-to-market planning, in-depth training and competitive incentive programs, and additional Web-based planning tools.

The enhancements to Level 3’s business partner program are designed to facilitate the adjustments that business partners require to move up market and sell the more complex services that enterprises are requiring today, such as Ethernet and IP-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. These scalable services are increasingly important to enterprises seeking to cost effectively address increased bandwidth demands with flexible and familiar Ethernet and IP technologies.

Level 3 has implemented go-to-market planning, a collaborative effort between Level 3 and participants in this program, to provide a basis for focused, practical sales activities that enable participants in the program to target the right customers with the right services. Level 3 has also launched a series of training and incentive programs developed to enable business partners to better understand enterprise needs and appropriately address those needs with comprehensive solutions that incorporate high-demand services. Additionally, Level 3 has created a Web-based tool that allows business partners to quickly evaluate the target customer’s proximity to the Level 3 network and qualify customers for fiber-based service solutions.

“Our Business Partners are an important part of Level 3’s Business Markets strategy, and we are committed to providing a comprehensive program that enables our agents and VARs to be successful in selling Level 3 services,” said Craig Schlagbaum, vice president of indirect channels for Level 3. “Since launching the enhanced program, we’ve placed a high priority on gathering feedback from participants and incorporating new elements into the program that are designed to help them succeed in today’s competitive environment.”

“Level 3’s unique program far surpasses the level of support other carriers provide in their partner programs,” said Vince Bradley, president and chief executive officer for World Telecom Group. “Level 3 has worked closely with us to build customized go-to-market plans, and they have been extremely creative to drive business. We have been impressed with Level 3’s interest in our business, and their willingness to act on agent feedback to enhance their programs.”

“Since joining Level 3’s Business Partner Program, we have been very pleased with the program support we have received from Level 3,” said Scott Eaton, vice president of sales and programs for Microcorp, a Level 3 Master Agent. “We are particularly happy with the go-to-market planning that we jointly developed with Level 3 and the in-depth training our agents have received to help us succeed in selling to the enterprise market. We look forward to a continued positive relationship with Level 3.”