Vendor unveils Telecommunications Partner Programme to bolster market share

Linux vendor Red Hat has signaled its intent to extend its presence in the telecoms sector with the launch of a tailored partner programme.

The vendor’s Telecommunications Partner Programme aims to reinforce Red Hat’s relationships with network equipment providers (NEPs), telecommunications ISVs and operators.

The firm plans to do this by building on current partner programmes and introducing new elements specific to NEPs and operators. These include carrier-grade platforms comprising hardware and enterprise Linux, which will provide an open-source alternative to traditional telecoms platforms.

Scott Crenshaw, senior director of product management and marketing at Red Hat, said: “We are providing a bundled co-branded solution to the channel. This is targeted at telco ISVs and will enable telecoms firms to move to an open-source platform.”

Crenshaw added that the programme will appeal to the reseller community in the telecoms space.

“We see strong telecoms demand and we think this demand will continue,” he said. “People are ready for open source.”

Telecoms firms are faced with the problem of needing to supply more services, faster, for less money, Crenshaw added

“We deliver the open source innovation while the telco operators receive greater leveraging and pricing,” he said.

Peter Dawes-Huish, sales director at Red Hat reseller LinuxIT, said: “The telecoms world is very Linux-friendly and has embraced the Linux platform. Telecoms VARs are committed to full-scale adoption of Red Hat.”

Dawes-Huish claimed that Red Hat is very good at exploiting its position in the market and expanding into new areas by launching initiatives such as the Telecommunications Partner Programme.

“Red Hat is a good partner for us,” Dawes-Huish added. “We can offer value on its products based on its strong foundations.”