The content team at Channel Partners Newsletter tracks stories of interest to the technology advisor and agent community. Anyone who is selling communication and connectivity solutions will want to stay abreast of these developing stories or catch up on ones they have missed. While some stories and posts may have broken several days or weeks ago, we are tracking—with the help of ChatGPT along with AI tools our parent Informa has developed—a roundup based on story traffic, mentions, impressions, reposts, social media engagement. You can read a few of the stories of importance to the TA community then head to our web site for a longer list. All links are current as of July 8, 2025.

Ransomware Knocks Global IT Supplier Offline

This story focused on how the SafePay strain impacted Ingram Micro’s systems and its ripple effects on channel partners, Apple/Microsoft partners, and global supply chains. Highlights operational delays and the broader vulnerability of third-party providers. Read the full Axios story.

Charter Communications to Acquire Cox Communications

The telecommunications landscape is shifting dramatically with Charter Communications' announcement to acquire Cox Communications for $34.5 billion. This consolidation will create a new cable giant with a combined 37.7 million customers, significantly impacting the competitive environment for technology advisors selling connectivity solutions. The merger is expected to create new partnership opportunities and potentially reshape regional service offerings. Read the full details: Charter & Cox Announce Definitive Agreement to Combine Companies.

AT&T's Service Guide Changes May Force Technology Migrations

Legal and tech consulting firm LB3 weighs in on AT&T changes to its service guide that could force enterprise clients into technology migrations. The mid-April update to AT&T's general terms and conditions gives them broader leeway to migrate services as part of what they call a "Technology Migration." Technology Advisors should prepare to guide clients through these transitions, as legacy systems may face end-of-life scenarios sooner than expected. Will AT&T’s Latest Service Guide Change Force You Into a Technology Migration?

AT&T to Discontinue NB-IoT, Will Migrate Users to LTE-M Network

AT&T has announced plans to decommission its NB-IoT network technology as early as the first quarter of 2025, with users being migrated to their LTE-M network. This transition will impact IoT deployments and requires Technology Advisors to help clients plan for migration of connected devices. The move reflects AT&T's strategy to consolidate IoT connectivity options while enhancing capabilities. Complete decommissioning of NB-IoT network early next year.

California ISO Announces AT&T Circuit Migration

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has announced an AT&T circuit migration affecting telecommunications circuits connected to the ISO's ECN network. Technology advisors with clients in the energy sector should note this migration requires acknowledgment and verification of contact information. This represents an opportunity for advisors to assist clients with critical infrastructure transitions. Full story.

Canalys Insights: Charter-Cox Merger Partners in Telco-Cableco Consolidation

Canalys has released an in-depth analysis of the Charter-Cox merger, examining how this consolidation fits into the broader telco-cableco landscape. The report provides Technology Advisors with strategic insights on how this $34.5 billion deal ($21.9 billion of equity) will reshape market dynamics and potentially impact competitive offerings in the connectivity space. Read Canalys analysis by Devan Adams.

Reddit on UCaaS vs CCaaS – Practical Differences

A r/sysadmin post breaks down UCaaS (internal collaboration tools) vs CCaaS (customer-facing platforms): “UCaaS focuses on improving internal communication… whereas CCaaS is geared towards managing and optimizing customer interactions. This real-world insight resonates with advisors educating clients on the right deployment. Head to Reddit to read the full post and conversation.

Channel Partners Expo 2025: From Resellers to Strategic Advisors

UC Today’s recap emphasizes that channel agents must evolve into full-fledged advisors—building practices in cybersecurity, connectivity, and AI, and guiding clients across design, implementation, and optimization phases. CP Review has the story.

UJET Announces Exclusive Partnership with Top Technology Services Distributors

Another story that has been around a while is still generating strong reader interest. UJET has announced an exclusive partnership model with its Technology Services Distributors (TSDs) – Intelisys, Avant, and Telarus – to accelerate growth in the channel. This strategic move allows Technology Advisors working with these TSDs to leverage UJET's AI-driven contact center solutions, creating a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving CCaaS market. COO Vasili Triant emphasized that "AI is the key to unlocking the full potential of the contact center." Here's the CXM story.

Verizon Partner Network Expands Technology Advisor Model

Stephen Hackett’s LinkedIn post is still generating views. Verizon has announced significant enhancements to its partner network, with a particular focus on expanding the technology advisor model. The updated program offers tailored approaches to meet diverse business needs, providing technology advisors with more flexible engagement options and improved support resources. This expansion reflects Verizon's commitment to growing its indirect channel presence. Read Hackett's post.