Nitel has officially acquired fellow network-as-a-service provider Hypercore Networks and finalized a prominent channel role for a founding Hypercore leader.

Josh Dickinson, who previously was chief revenue officer for Hypercore, now works as vice president of national partnerships for Nitel. The position gives him oversight of Nitel’s relationships with technology solutions brokerages (also known as technology services distributors).

Hypercore’s Josh Dickinson

“We are very pleased that Josh will be our point person on TSB relationships,” said Mark Dickey, chief revenue officer of Nitel. “His years of experience collaborating with larger partners and helping them be successful will be valuable as we move into the next phase of growth at Nitel. Our whole business is predicated on the success of our channel and this role is pivotal to that success.”

Nitel’s Mark Dickey

TSBs have functioned as a key route to market for both Nitel and Hypercore, which both style themselves as channel-only. Executives also told Channel Futures that their TSB bases overlap for the most part, meaning that Dickinson is familiar with most of Nitel’s core partners. Moreover, Dickinson has engaged with TSBs for more than a decade and a half.

“This new role for me is very exciting as I become a bigger part of Nitel,” Dickinson said. “Our work with the channel is absolutely critical to future success and I am eager to add considerable value in expanding our TSB relationships and helping deliver against Nitel’s business goals.”

Dickinson came from a carrier called RealLinx, which GTT acquired in 2016. Dickinson, who had been leading channel development and carrier sales, co-founded Hypercore to build what he called a new and improved version of RealLinx.

Hypercore Acquired by Nitel

Nitel announced in late June that it was acquiring Hypercore. Executives described the companies as similar to each other in many aspects, with Hypercore bringing unique international capabilities, network operation center resources and voice services. On the other hand, Nitel provides Hypercore with automation capabilities that will reportedly speed up provisioning.

Nitel has been chasing organic and inorganic growth thanks to the investment it received from London-based private equity firm Cinven last year. In addition to buying Hypercore, Nitel has expanded its team with the hiring of channel veteran Jim Glackin. Executives have also stated their intention of acquiring more companies. CEO Margi Shaw confirmed that in an interview with Channel Futures earlier this year.

Nitel’s Margi Shaw

“We do have acquisition targets currently in process that will be more product- and technology-driven,” Shaw said. “With that said, as we expand into the security sector in a deeper way, that may lead toward overlays. But the design will always be what best suits the channel and our partners.”