Telefonica is running ahead of schedule with signing up recruits to its M2M partner programme, the company said.

Over 250 companies, including device manufacturers, solution providers and distributors, have now joined its M2M Global Partner Programme, it announced.

The programme’s original goal was to hit the 250 partner target by the end of 2014, so it is running six months ahead of schedule.

It was expanded outside the US to Europe in February, since when 170 newcomers have come on board.

Telefonica works with companies from the partner programme when it pitches its M2M service to multinational customers. Signing up more expands its commercial reach.

The growth rate of new partners has quickened over the last six months. The programme’s debut was in the US in June 2013.

The operator said another 100 companies were close to joining.

“We’re moving fast, having surpassed our partner targets 6 months ahead of plan. We will now be working to extend the programme into new regions which will further accelerate membership and enhance the portfolio of M2M solutions we can sell to our customers,”  said Rafael Garcia Meiro, director B2B global partners sales – indirect sales channels at Telefonica.