Wavenet has formed a new strategic partnership with American cloud communications firm 8x8, in a deal that reflects the accelerating consolidation of Europe’s enterprise communications market.
The partnership will see Wavenet integrate 8x8’s communications and contact-centre technology into its managed services portfolio, offering businesses a unified platform for voice, messaging, and customer engagement.
“This is a world-first partnership and a huge step forward for our customers,” said Barry Ward, Director of Contact Centre, Mobile and Unified Communications solutions at Wavenet.
“Working this closely with 8x8 gives us a unique ability to transform how businesses communicate, particularly those upgrading from legacy systems, and wishing to enhance their customer and staff experiences.”
The deal follows Wavenet’s recognition as 8x8’s EMEA Resell Partner and Contact Centre Partner of the Year for 2025.
Context and Market Dynamics
The timing of the partnership is significant.
As businesses continue to rationalise the technology stacks assembled hastily during the pandemic, demand has grown for simplified, cloud-based communications systems that can be managed centrally and integrated with collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams.
8x8, whose competitors include RingCentral, Zoom, and Cisco Webex, has sought to expand its reach in Europe through partnerships that combine its software platforms with locally delivered services.
For Wavenet, which manages networks and cybersecurity for more than 22,000 organisations, the collaboration offers a means of deepening its cloud and contact-centre capabilities at a time when clients are under pressure to improve digital customer experience while maintaining compliance and security standards.
The partnership grants Wavenet access to the full 8x8 Platform for CX – encompassing unified communications, contact centre, and CPaaS (communications platform as a service) products, along with integrations for Microsoft Teams.
The company will deliver these services alongside its existing connectivity, cloud infrastructure, and security operations.
Strategic Rationale
For both companies, the logic is straightforward. 8x8 gains a well-established route to UK and European customers through a partner with local regulatory knowledge and service capacity, while Wavenet gains access to a globally recognised technology platform without the cost of developing comparable systems in-house.
The relationship reflects a broader industry trend in which communications vendors are relying more heavily on managed service providers to deliver and maintain complex deployments for large enterprises.
As platforms have become more feature-rich – incorporating AI-driven analytics, workforce management, and omnichannel engagement — the technical requirements of implementation and support have increased.
According to analysts, the European market for UCaaS and CCaaS is forecast to grow by around 12–15 percent annually through 2030, driven by demand for flexibility and data integration.
Partnerships such as Wavenet/8x8 are becoming a primary route to that market.
