» Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Independent Telcom Agency?

Independent telcom agencies are the result of telecommunications carriers downsizing and outsourcing.  Cooperative is a business that's authorized and certified to represent and support the products of carriers.  Our staffers came from the carriers to work as independent agents because it's the best way to serve clients.  We are required to complete the same rigorous training as internal carrier employees and are certified in the identical manner.  

Why do telecommunications carriers outsource the sale and support of their products and service?

Carriers, like most large businesses, outsource to reduce internal costs, decrease customer turn-over and increase customer satisfaction.  Independent telcom agencies create and maintain very strong long-term relationships with their clients within their communities giving carriers a effective way to interact with their customers.  It's more cost effective, too.

Why would I procure through Coop instead of the carriers directly?

Keep in mind this important fact:  Who uses agents? 

Professional athletes, professional entertainers, home buyers/sellers, the list goes on and on.  Everyone that uses an agent - regardless of industry - does so because they need an expert. But here's the best news - we're free. Absolutely free equates to absolutely a great reason our clients use us.

We give new meaning to the term "free agent" - we're paid by the carriers to work with you so there is no charge - and the benefits are staggering: 

• Free supplement – Just like a vitamin nutritional supplement fills the gap between what you eat and you need, we're paid by carriers to be a free resource in addition to existing carrier internal people.  We're a free addition, not a replacement

• Choices & Flexibility - Cooperative stands apart from internal carrier staff who are limited to their carrier's product options.  Cooperative gives businesses choices between different carrier's product lines.

• Account Team stability & Free Back Up - Cooperative is an adjunct to the carrier's internal sales and support staff creating unprecedented stability for our clients.  Over our 16 year history, Cooperative’s clients have enjoyed migration between telecommunications carriers while maintaining their free, augmented account support from Cooperative. We give our clients another dedicated avenue to the carriers that doesn't cost a thing.

• Efficiency & Coalescence – Cooperative's direct links to carriers' systems benefits everyone - our clients can call us for adds, moves, changes and the carriers have less people sitting in their call centers queues. Or our clients can call into the carriers call centers - whichever works the best for you.

• Optimizing - Oversight – It's horrible to find out that you could've gotten a lower price, higher discount, promotion than what you ended up with.  Cooperative’s awareness of market changes, trending and innovations make us vital to the ongoing efforts of businesses to lower costs. Cooperative is beholden to our clients satisfaction and take our responsibility as guardian very seriously.  

And the old adage "Only a fool represents himself in a court of law" is a bit harsh but you get the drift - a "free agent" who negotiates contracts, processes orders, etc. every day at no cost to you is a whole lot smarter than going it alone.

Does ordering my carrier services through Cooperative interfere with my carrier relationship?

Quite the contrary, in addition to the comprehensive support the carriers give all their customers, our clients enjoy an enhanced level of support from their familiar Cooperative team. Carrier responsibilities and support of their customers are identical regardless of how you procure your service.

What enhanced support does Cooperative give me?

You’re the sole reason our company exists and we never forget that.  We process, oversee and implement all types of moves, adds, and change orders via the identical carrier-provided systems that their internal general customer care centers utilize. However, because we work with multiple carriers, the “enhanced support” translates to our clients getting the individual attention the carrier’s no longer can afford to provide.

How much does using Cooperative cost?

Nothing and in fact, our clients enjoy numerous savings because of Cooperative’s continual perusal of the carriers technology advancements, promotions and tariff updates.

Is Cooperative a reseller?

No. Cooperative does not resell, rebill, wholesale, aggregate, upcharge, mark up, or anything of the like. Cooperative is not a carrier or network provider. Cooperative is the portal through which our clients procure carriers' products.

What types of telcom products and services can businesses procure via Cooperative?

• Local dial tone
• Internet access
• Voice Over IP (VoIP)
• Data networking
• Long Distance & Toll Free
• Hosted solutions
• Conference calling
• Equipment

Cooperative is certified in the full product lines of the carriers we represent.

Does Cooperative compete with the carrier's internal sales team?

No.  We a free addition to the carrier's internal sales team providing our clients with the comfort of knowing a "impartial observer" is looking out for their best interests.  

Will I be bombarded with telcom sales pitches from Cooperative?

No. We’re not in competition with our carrier partners. Carriers spend millions of dollars getting the word out about their latest offerings – and we acknowledge the carriers excellence in advertising. When the sales pitches arrive, our clients use Cooperative to clarify and advise in a familiar voice that our  fellow business owners comprehend.

Why do carriers choose to partner with Cooperative?

since 1989, Cooperative has been providing telcom expertise, free of charge, to the business community and hence, our clients trust us and are very loyal.  The carriers want to be a part of our relationship with our clients.  Because Cooperative is an effective portal through which carriers interface with end-users, carriers have invested millions of dollars in systems and personnel to support our business partnership.

What is the typical profile of a Cooperative client?

We represent the business sector, therefore, are unable to assist any residential or consumer clients.  While the majority of our clients fall into the mid-sized business segment, we are not limited by the size of our clients.  Our lengthy history in business equates to clients who range from the small 2-line mom & pop shops to multi-national enterprise companies.  Please contact us so we can discuss how Cooperative will benefit your company.

Please contact us to discuss the benefits Cooperative will bring to your company

800.872.9333