Dicker Data expands telco play with dedicated unit, adds Vocus

Dicker Data is stepping deeper into the telco space through the launch of a dedicated business unit, with Vocus as a vendor partner in Australia.

The distributor said the unit’s team contains over 150 collective years of telco market experience and has been formed to help partners access opportunities in the Australian market for relevant services.

Speaking to ARN, Dicker Data executive director and chief operating officer Vlad Mitnovetski indicated the telco strategy was a big deal as it is looking to diversify its telco offerings. Dicker Data also has a relationship with Telstra.

“We have a big partner base with managed service providers, which will benefit a lot with us getting access to telco services from other providers,” he said.

“We’ve done our research, we’ve looked at the opportunity, we’ve talked to fast growing telco service providers out there in the market and we’ve moving in with a multi-vendor strategy.”

Dicker Data’s telco offerings via the division are built on what it refers to as its five key product pillars: mobile, fixed connectivity (fibre), unified communications, data centre and satellite.

Additionally, the distributor is also providing access to a dedicated set of channel-friendly telco services and deep advisory expertise.

From its existing vendor portfolio, Telstra and Equinix will now fall under the new division, with Mitnovetski highlighting that he expects to maintain a business-as-usual arrangement with the former company in particular.

Meanwhile, Dicker Data’s new arrangement with Vocus specifically will see the vendor bring business-grade data services to the table.

Commenting on the telco’s involvement, Vocus general manager of channel and alliances Keith Masterton said the partnership with Dicker Data “represents a significant shift in how telecommunications services reach Australian businesses”.

“Partners want less red tape and the ability to move quickly. We’re removing the barriers that have historically made telco difficult – no exclusivity requirements, no inch-thick contracts, just straightforward access to enterprise-grade services,” he said.

Dicker Data telco services general manager Jason Hall, who will be leading the division, echoed Masterton’s sentiments, adding that access to Australian telco services has “transformed significantly in the past decade”.

“As we look ahead, we’re committed to delivering a suite of telco services from trusted brands with solutions that not only deliver exceptional technical quality but also redefine the decades old models of how telco services have been traditionally delivered through the channel,” he said.

“With Vocus as our launch vendor, we are ready to assist mid-market and enterprise partners in capturing the untapped telco opportunity inside of their existing end-customers.”

Hall will also be working closely with the distributor’s telco and data centre services business manager, Simon Banks.

The launch of Dicker Data’s telco division comes a month after the distributor’s former CEO, David Dicker, announced he will step down from the company. At the same time as that announcement, co-founder Fiona Brown took up an executive chair role.