In his industry keynote address today, Kevin OHara, president and COO of Level 3 Communications Inc., will discuss the impact the changing competitive environment will have on the indirect channel and how partners, in concert with their suppliers, can maximize the long-term growth and health of the industry and their respective businesses.

OHara also will talk about some of Level 3s strategies for meeting the future needs of the business the company has acquired numerous companies in the last two years and its approach to the channel.

Although Level 3s current agent program is relatively new, the companys approach has been lauded from rollout and execution to product and support. Its executives are intent on adopting best practices from successful distribution models found in the datacentric world to make Level 3s program a standout in the carrier world.

Due to overall industry consolidation and the strong demand for enterprise services, todays market presents many opportunities for Level 3 and its business collaborators or partners. As more enterprise companies demand solutions to support bandwidth-intensive applications, Level 3 and its business partners are well positioned to solve business challenges with next-generation IP/data solutions, says OHara.

OHara is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the communications business, which operates one of the largest communications and Internet backbones in the world. Level 3s service portfolio spans IP services, broadband transport, colocation, and patented softswitch-based managed modem and voice services for wholesale carriers and enterprises.

Prior to joining Level 3, OHara was president and CEO of MFS Global Network Services. Earlier, he also served as president of MFS Development, and vice president of network services for MFS Telecom. Prior to MFS, OHara spent nine years in management positions with Peter Kiewit Sons Inc., the company that formed both MFS and Level 3 (with different names) in the 80s under its Kiewit Diversified Group subsidiary.