PlanetOne Rolls Out T-Mobile Mobility Suite with Residual Compensation

Recurring Commission Model is Unique in the Wireless Channel

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–June 23, 2014–Master agency PlanetOne Communications is pioneering a game-changing chapter for its agents and channel partners with the launch of a new package of enterprise wireless services from T-Mobile USA, with the option of making residual commissions on the sale. The model is nothing short of a landmark for the channel, which before now has faced significant obstacles to finding profit with mobile business services.

“Wireless providers haven’t been historically channel-friendly, given their retail model and territorial approach to account protection,” said Ted Schuman, founder and CEO of PlanetOne. “It’s been frustrating for the channel given the popularity of wireless in business. Now, all of that changes with the introduction of T-Mobile’s new approach. We finally have parity between the direct and brick-and-mortar sales forces, with a compensation plan that rewards partners monthly for our commitment. I don’t think I’m overstating it when I say that this is the most exciting thing to happen to our industry since the iPhone.”

The offering, first announced by T-Mobile’s channel vice president Damian McCabe at PlanetOne’s Foxwoods, Conn. telecom tour stop, includes flat-rate voice, messaging and data services, a range of phone options, no-contract options, and a unique international roaming rate of .20 per minute in 132 countries. Customers can also bring their own device to the plans. Partners meanwhile can choose from three models of compensation: traditional, one-time, upfront payments; a strictly residual option with a percentage in the double digits; or a hybrid of both. This is in sharp contrast with the standard wireless compensation model of one-time up-front payments per line.

“T-Mobile’s executive leadership comes from the wireline industry, and they understand the channel and that they need to take a different approach to the pricing models,” McCabe said. “This suite also offers extraordinarily aggressive pricing to help us to acquire new customers. It’s clear that T-Mobile has had an epiphany when it comes to the opportunity that the indirect channel represents, and will be leading that conversation forward from now on.”

As wireless service becomes a critical part of the business landscape, T-Mobile has built its channel program to give partners the tools they need to invest in mobility solutions.

“We wanted to expand our B2B efforts into new sales distribution approaches,” explained Joe Conlon, director of channel partners for North America at T-Mobile. “Everything we do is about rewriting the rules on a broken industry, delivering simplicity and transparency, and enabling the channel to sell wireless business solutions. After attending several events and interviewing scores of partners, it became clear that we needed to make a transformation.”

While offering monthly recurring commissions was one significant change, the other has been an investment in support tools and platforms. To that end, T-Mobile has launched a B2B partner portal that includes online sign-up and provisioning, along with features like a coverage checker, total cost of ownership calculator, special initiatives and promotions, and a range of training tools.

“We’re excited about the ability to go to market with a company like PlanetOne, which has a status as a true trusted advisor, impressive partner support and a belief in enterprise wireless as the next great channel opportunity,” Conlon said. “We have a really strong program here, and our network and service is unparalleled, with the fastest LTE in the nation. Our joint effort with PlanetOne and the broader channel is the next frontier of success.”

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About PlanetOne:
PlanetOne (www.planetone.net) is a full service telecommunications marketing firm with headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz. Now celebrating 22 years in operation, PlanetOne exclusively supports agents nationally and is one of the largest master agents in the country for multiple carriers. PlanetOne has been recognized by Channel Partners Magazine as being one of the Top 50 Channel Programs in the industry for the past five consecutive years. For the past three years, PlanetOne has been named as one of Inc. Magazine’s Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. To reach the company’s headquarters, call (877) 487.8353 or e-mail sales@planetone.net.

CONTACT: Lauren Shapiro
PHONE: 1.877.201.1513
EMAIL: lauren.shapiro@planetone.net