CenturyLink has closed its $34 billion acquisition of Level 3, a deal that “creates a leading global network services company capable of providing customers a wide range of high-quality technology solutions over a secure and reliable fiber-rich network,” the company said in announcing the deal’s wrap on Wednesday.

The tie-up of CenturyLink and Level 3 is poised to have major ramifications on the channel as well — creating new opportunities for partners, as CenturyLink VP John DeLozier points out in this video from this fall’s Channel Partners Evolution in Austin, Texas. He also touches on the success of the Ascend Metals Program and how much has happened in the year and a half since he joined the CenturyLink team.

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