US cloud communications provider 8×8, Inc. is partnering with UK network operator KCOM in an attempt to carve a larger share of the British enterprise communications market, combining its software stack with KCOM’s carrier-grade network.
The deal underscores growing interest in fully integrated cloud communications platforms that promise higher reliability and security than conventional public cloud deployments.
The collaboration will see KCOM host 8×8’s Platform for CX on its own infrastructure, giving UK organizations unified access to voice, messaging, video, and contact centre tools – aiming to reduce reliance on third-party networks, a selling point for sectors where outages are unacceptable.
KCOM says its enterprise client base includes roughly 8,000 organizations, spanning healthcare, emergency services, and other critical infrastructure.
“For carriers such as KCOM, reliability, security, and customer trust are non-negotiable,” said Jamie Snaddon, GVP, Managing Director of EMEA at 8×8, Inc.
“By combining KCOM’s network expertise with 8×8’s unified communications and contact centre platform, we’re delivering an end-to-end solution that helps organisations support their customers, modernize their operations, and innovate with confidence.”
A Market Under Pressure
Enterprise communications in the UK is undergoing rapid change.
Hybrid working, rising cyber threats, and tighter regulatory scrutiny around data privacy have pushed companies to seek platforms that are both flexible and reliable.
While public cloud providers dominate the wider communications space, a growing number of UK enterprises – particularly in sensitive sectors – are wary of solutions that depend on US or global network paths.
Hosting a cloud communications platform on a domestic carrier’s infrastructure can be a compelling risk-management strategy.
KCOM’s Strategic Play
For KCOM, the deal represents an attempt to broaden its enterprise portfolio beyond connectivity.
Offering 8×8’s cloud software alongside its network could let it compete against larger, global telcos in the integrated communications space.
“Selecting the right partner was critical for us,” KCOM Enterprise managing director Jan Collins said. “8×8 stood out not only for the platform but for how our teams could collaborate operationally.”
Collins’ comment underscores a wider trend among carriers trying to add value through software partnerships rather than simply selling bandwidth.
For KCOM, which has faced competition from BT, Virgin Media O2, and CityFibre, bundling cloud services with network connectivity could improve stickiness among business clients and open recurring revenue streams.
8×8’s UK Push
For 8×8, the UK has been a challenging market dominated by Microsoft Teams, Cisco, and Zoom. Partnering with a domestic carrier offers two advantages: access to KCOM’s existing customer base and the ability to market a “carrier-grade” solution that differentiates from standard public cloud offerings.
While corporate messaging emphasizes these points, analysts suggest the move is also defensive: 8Ă—8 needs domestic partnerships to remain relevant in markets where data residency and network reliability are increasingly cited as key decision factors.
Customers in regulated or mission-critical sectors could benefit from having cloud communications on a UK-based network.
Reduced dependency on international routing and fewer third-party providers may lower latency and minimize exposure to outages. However, the actual impact will depend on integration quality and the ability of KCOM and 8Ă—8 to maintain the combined infrastructure at scale.
The wider trend points to a “hybrid carrier-software” model emerging across Europe. Traditional network operators increasingly see partnerships with SaaS providers as a way to protect revenues in declining voice and legacy telecom markets.
Meanwhile, software vendors like 8Ă—8 leverage domestic network credibility to win clients who might otherwise favor Microsoft, Cisco, or Google.
Wider Outlook
The partnership is starting with joint go-to-market initiatives across the UK, including coordinated sales and customer engagement.
Over the next year, both companies plan to expand the service with AI-powered contact center capabilities.
Success will ultimately depend on a myriad of factors, including pricing, reliability, and how convincingly the joint platform can differentiate from entrenched competitors.
In a market where cloud communications is increasingly a commodity, the 8Ă—8-KCOM partnership highlights a key trend: software vendors need strong domestic infrastructure partners to convince enterprises that cloud is not only flexible, but also resilient and secure.
