NFON launches modular licences & unified AI partner plan

NFON has launched a modular licence model and a unified partner programme, as the company steps up work on its NFON Next 2027 strategy and expands its focus on AI-based business communications.

The Munich-based provider said it will run the new commercial and partner framework through NEXUS CONNECT 2026, which it described as the operational vehicle for rolling out the changes with its channel. NFON said more than 250 partners are taking part.

Andreas Wesselmann, Chief Executive Officer, NFON, linked the partner event to a broader shift in the company's product direction.

"NEXUS CONNECT 2026 signals a further important step for NFON and its partners. This event marks an innovation-driven transformation from traditional cloud telephony to AI-based business communications. The solutions-orientated product portfolio strengthens existing customer and partner relationships and at the same time opens up access to new market segments and strategic partners. The Partner Day makes visible what NFON has built up technologically, strategically and organisationally, and at the same time marks the start of our next joint growth phase."

Commercial reset

NFON positioned the modular licence model as a way of reshaping how it packages and sells its services. The company said it wants a simpler portfolio and more standardised sales and cooperation models. It also described a single framework that partners can apply across customer segments.

The modular licence model uses packaged licences for business telephony. NFON said the packages align with different user roles and usage scenarios. It said the licences combine core telephony functions and AI-based services, including AI Essentials.

The NEXUS partner programme consolidates partner roles and commission models into one structure, according to the company. NFON also said it will add structured support for sales, implementation and scaling. The company described this as a consistent basis for partners selling solutions built on its portfolio.

Alexander Wettjen, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, described the changes as part of a push to make AI services easier to sell and price through the channel.

"This is a key lever to bring AI-based services to the market ready for use," said Alexander Wettjen, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, NFON.

"These new commercial structures give our partners maximum transparency and flexibility while precisely reflecting customer needs. AI is not an add-on but a natural part of our offering: clearly positioned, convincingly communicable and sustainably monetisable for our partners and NFON," said Wettjen.

AI portfolio

NFON said its NFON Next 2027 plan centres on becoming the leading provider of AI-based business communications in Europe. It framed the programme as both a technology shift and an organisational change. It also described a push for commercial scaling.

The company cited expansion of its AI portfolio and the integration of botario as key steps already taken. It also pointed to targeted expansion of partnerships.

NFON said AI-based applications span three product portfolio areas: Business Telephony, Intelligent Assistant, and Customer Engagement. It described Business Telephony as the foundation. It said it continues to expand its footprint to meet integration requirements and accommodate AI applications.

NFON highlighted the rollout of AI functions, including call transcription and call summaries, on desk phones. The company said this gives broader access to AI productivity functions across devices.

In Intelligent Assistant, NFON said it is scaling AI-driven automation. It said it uses standardised AI agents. It also said it is integrating these with voice and chat channels.

In Customer Engagement, NFON said AI functions address requirements across customer interaction. It linked this area to process efficiency, reachability and cross-channel integration across the customer life cycle.

NFON also described integration solutions that connect to existing IT and process environments. It said these integrations support the use of AI-based functions across customer deployments.

Partner delivery

NFON tied its strategy to partner execution and said enablement sits at the centre of that approach. The company said NEXUS CONNECT 2026 covers integration and scaling across the portfolio areas.

It also detailed a hackathon held ahead of the event. NFON said more than 60 partners worked for a full day with NFON experts on use cases. The company said these ranged from configuration of AI-based functions to voice and chat automation and contact centre scenarios. It characterised this as co-creation with direct implementation rather than training.

NFON also pointed to its renewed certification as a Top Employer 2026. It linked this to employee retention and to organisational readiness for the next phase of the strategy.

Wesselmann said the company views partner execution as central to AI's commercial outcomes in business communications.

"Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing business processes and models. NFON is consistently integrating AI into its platform, its products and its business logic. However, success is not determined by technology alone, but by its joint market penetration together with our partners. For NFON, 2026 will be characterised by the interplay of scaling, monetisation and partner enablement," said Wesselmann.