VoIP Monitor - VoIP Providers|Packet8

8x8 Business Subscriber Base Surpasses 20,000 Customers

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:00:24 GMT

8x8 announces that at the end of February 2010 its subscriber base reached a new milestone of 20,000 business customers. For the December quarter, 8x8's average business customer subscribed to 7.3 paid services.

Over the past year and throughout the economic downturn, 8x8 has added approximately 1,000 net new business customers each quarter as small businesses increasingly seek ways to reduce expenses and improve the efficiency of their operations. The 8x8 Virtual Office phone service provides these customers with new, IP-enabled telephony capabilities along with advanced features and unlimited local and long distance calling -- all at a much lower cost than traditional landline phone services. In addition to the 8x8 Virtual Office service, 8x8 offers hosted Call Center and Key System services as well as IP Trunking and Unified Communications solutions, all of which are designed to operate over a business' existing broadband Internet connections, enabling employee connectivity from anywhere a high speed Internet connection exists.

8x8 also announced that as of the end of February, the Company had sold approximately 2,500 paid subscriptions to its new 8x8 Virtual Office Pro unified communications services, which were first offered for sale on January 20, 2010. 8x8 Virtual Office Pro is an advanced messaging platform that allows subscribers to manage essential business communications functions online through a centralized web portal. Integrated with the 8x8 Virtual Office business phone service, Virtual Office Pro enhances business productivity by providing users with a complete, instantly accessible suite of communication tools used in everyday business interactions including web telephony, video and voice web conferencing, fax, call recording, an online dashboard with Outlook contacts and corporate directory integration, an Apple iPhone and iPod Touch application for mobile access, and more.

8x8 Hosted VoIP Solutions Now Available over New Edge Nationwide Network

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:25:18 GMT

New Edge Networks announces that 8x8 has established a direct connection to the New Edge AX ecosystem of business applications. 8x8's VoIP network is now directly connected to the nationwide New Edge network.

Aligning with the New Edge AX ecosystem enables 8x8 to deliver its hosted IP voice and unified communications solutions to business customers over a secure, enterprise class IP network environment. 8x8 customers can run business-critical applications over the New Edge IP network or choose the New Edge MPLS network for end-to-end traffic prioritization and predictable application performance.

New Edge AX is a new approach to providing value-added services to the Small and Medium Business market. The New Edge AX ecosystem of business applications is built on a nationwide IP network platform enabling application providers such as 8x8 to more efficiently reach customers with the underlying reliability of a performance-driven cloud-computing environment.

Under the terms of the agreement, 8x8 also has access to the New Edge sales force and can work directly with New Edge account executives located in major cities nationwide.

8x8 Enhances VoIP Network to Deliver HD Calling to its Business Phone Service

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:47:03 GMT

8x8 has upgraded its VoIP network to support an industry standard wideband audio codec to enable HD calling for business phone service subscribers. 8x8's new HD business voice feature delivers significantly enhanced audio fidelity to users of its 6753i, 6755i and 6757i IP phones. Subscribers using these telephones can now enjoy a more "in-person" conversation and richer calling experience as if all parties on a call were standing in the same room. While Voice over IP services have long been able to mimic the same voice quality as the traditional PSTN, 8x8's new HD voice service now greatly surpasses any audio capabilities of the legacy PSTN network. This new service allows all calls within a small business or distributed enterprise to benefit from the efficiencies accompanying in-person conversations, with easier to recognize voices, better understanding of accented speakers and greater voice clarity in the presence of background noise.

Traditional telephony is based on sampling the sound stream 8,000 times a second using 8-bit coding, constraining the reproduction of the sound spectrum to the range between 200Hz on the low end to 3.3KHz on the high end. In HD voice, a wideband codec doubles the sampling rate to 16,000 times a second using 14-bit coding and more than doubles the width of the sound spectrum reproduced, from 50Hz to 7KHz. This adds significant depth and nuance to the transmitted sound while not significantly increasing bandwidth utilization.

8x8's HD voice is a standard feature offered free of charge to all business subscribers. All new 8x8 subscribers after January 4, 2010 will automatically receive the HD voice service with their subscription. Existing IP phone subscribers can contact 8x8's customer service at 1-888-898-8733 to receive the upgraded HD voice service.

8x8 Vice President of Business Development Huw Rees will discuss the company's HD voice technology and strategy in greater detail during the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show HD Voice Summit being held on Wednesday, January 6 from 1 - 5:30 p.m. in Las Vegas.

8x8 Customer Referral Program is a Win-Win

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:26:03 GMT

8x8 business phone service subscribers are earning thousands of bonus dollars this holiday season through a company-sponsored word of mouth referral program that pays healthy cash rewards for recommending new subscribers to its service.

The 8x8 "Business Referral Program" rewards existing subscribers and registered partners for submitting business referrals that become customers of 8x8's money-saving VoIP phone services, which include the 8x8 Virtual Office solution, a hosted PBX phone service now in use by over 18,000 businesses. Participants in the program have an opportunity to earn unlimited cash rewards to the tune of $100 for each qualifying Virtual Office extension the new customer orders, provided they remain a subscriber in good standing for at least 60 days. This results in a win-win situation for both 8x8 and its subscribers, as the company receives a valuable, cost-effective lead backed by a personal recommendation and the subscriber receives compensation for sharing a positive user experience with friends and colleagues.

Brian Erk, President of Computer Networking Solutions, has been an 8x8 Virtual Office customer since April 2009 and has earned over $4,000 in referral rewards from his recommendations. "We have firsthand experience with the productivity advantages and cost efficiencies of the 8x8 Virtual Office solution and are eager to let other businesses know how they too can benefit from the service," said Erk. "When a product does what it promises and truly adds value, it's hard to keep it secret."

An 8x8 customer since December 2008, ACS Wireless Research Specialist Claire Sullivan says, "We're happy to recommend 8x8 to other business users because it has worked so well for us. Besides the minimal start-up costs and the fact that it works with any high-speed Internet connection, 8x8 provides an intuitive interface and outstanding feature-set in addition to excellent customer support. We feel confident that when we recommend 8x8 to our business contacts, they will have a good experience as well."

There are no limits to the number of extensions or businesses participants in the 8x8 Business Referral Program can quality for. Hence, a business referral that purchases 8x8 Virtual Office with 10 extensions generates a cash payment of $1,000 to the referrer. Participants are asked only to provide the name and contact information of business acquaintances they feel could benefit from using 8x8's phone service. Once that information is received, 8x8 business consultants schedule a call in order to understand the business needs, tell the referral about 8x8 and, if it's a good fit, suggest the best service for their business.

8x8 Awarded its 74th US Patent

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:37:49 GMT

8x8 has been awarded United States Patent Number 7,606,221 entitled, "Network Communications Having Endpoint Device with Automatic Connection to IPBX." The patent issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on October 20, 2009.

The patent relates to a telephony communications approach that implements an auto-discovery feature that enables an endpoint device to automatically locate and establish communication with a desirable server in a web of interconnected servers. In one specific example implementation, the endpoint device is an Internet-type telephone communicating with a remote server in an Internet-based Private Branch Exchange.

Since its establishment in 1987, 8x8 has been awarded 74 United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications, processing and storage technologies.

8x8 Signs Government Teaming Agreement with Level 3

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:02:42 GMT

8x8 has signed a teaming agreement with Level 3 Communications, establishing a framework for both companies to work together in responding to federal government solicitations for telecommunications services.

The agreement enables 8x8 and Level 3 to collaborate on government proposals for telecommunications deployments that include hosted IP telephony services. Level 3 Communications, a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services, has demonstrated increasing traction with its government business and is a prime contractor on several federal contracts.

8x8's hosted IP PBX phone service meets the critical performance standards required by government and large enterprise customers. In March 2009, the company announced it had upgraded its service infrastructure, deploying a new triple redundant architecture across three independent data centers with each data center connected to redundant IP access providers. This new architecture allows for failure of any software component, server, cluster or even a complete data center failure without affecting service to the end customer.

8x8 Virtual Office Phone Service Enables Business Continuity Solution for Anticipated Workplace Effects of H1N1

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:12:07 GMT

As the H1N1 flu virus continues to surface in cities and towns across the United States, officials are encouraging businesses to examine their operations and construct a strategy for maintaining business continuity in the face of a potentially absent workforce. Bolstering telecommunications infrastructure with a hosted IP telephony solution like the 8x8 Virtual Office business phone service is one way a company can maintain its day to day operations even when employees are forced to remain home due to office closings or school shutdowns.

On September 18, 2009, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released "It's Not Flu as Usual," an H1N1 preparedness guide written to provide businesses of all sizes with suggestions on how to keep employees healthy and maintain business operations during the upcoming flu season. "Absenteeism would be the central issue for businesses to wrestle with during a pandemic," said Ann Beauchesne, the Chamber's vice president of National Security and Emergency Preparedness. "Business leaders and managers should focus on reducing the transmission of the H1N1 flu in the workplace -- including encouraging sick employees to stay home -- and maintaining business continuity."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce guide encourages businesses to establish policies and practices, such as flexible worksites (e.g., telecommuting) and flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts) to increase the physical distance between employees and others if local public health authorities recommend the use of social distancing strategies. The Chamber also advises companies to ensure they have the information technology and infrastructure needed to support multiple workers who may be able to work from home.

According to IP communications service provider 8x8, Inc., one way to facilitate a work from home, business continuity strategy is to put a flexible, Internet-based phone system in place that has the capability to, on the drop of a dime, accommodate a mobile, geographically dispersed workforce.

"Deploying a hosted IP telephony solution like 8x8 Virtual Office is one very simple, but significant, step a business can take to ensure business continuity within their telecommunications architecture," said 8x8 Chairman & CEO Bryan Martin. "Many of our customers have built their business continuity procedures around the plug and play capabilities of our service, and the capability and low cost of deploying backup phones and services to a contingent workforce at locations remote to their primary operations. These phones and the contingent workforce would be deployed in the event that primary operations are unable to continue due to the number of absent employees during an H1N1 outbreak at the workplace."

Hosted IP telephony solutions incorporate VoIP technology and use ordinary broadband Internet connections, instead of old-fashioned PSTN copper wire alternatives tied to premise-based PBX hardware, to transmit phone calls and enable business class calling features. Because these Internet connections are ubiquitous and not limited to a specific physical or geographic location, employees can access their company's phone network from any broadband-enabled location, whether it's a home office or regional office located anywhere in the world. IP telephony users can simply unplug their IP desktop phone from one Ethernet jack and plug it into another without losing any of the features or functionality of the service.

"Businesses today are relatively uneducated about the choices they have when it comes to telecommunications services and the associated costs," Martin continued. "Advancements in IP technology now allow companies to function in ways they never imagined possible for less than half the cost of their existing legacy solution. Given the potential effects of an H1N1 outbreak and the subsequent need for a nimble and timely response, now might be the best time for companies to examine the capabilities, effectiveness and cost of their current business phone solution."

8x8 Announces Availability of IP Business Phones at 400 Select OfficeMax Stores

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:29:53 GMT

8x8 announces that OfficeMax is offering the 8x8/Aastra co-branded 6755i IP business phone, bundled with the 8x8 Virtual Office suite of business phone services, at approximately 400 select OfficeMax retail locations in the United States and online.

The plug-and-play 8x8/Aastra 6755i IP phone serves as an endpoint for the 8x8 Virtual Office hosted IP PBX business phone service, currently in use by over 17,000 businesses. 8x8 Virtual Office provides businesses with a complete, enterprise class phone system at a fraction of the cost of a traditional PBX and roughly half the cost of traditional business phone service. The 8x8/Aastra IP phones plug into any broadband Internet connection to allow users to immediately make or receive calls without performing any network configuration or firewall manipulation. In addition, the 8x8/Aastra IP phones deliver enhanced features including corporate directory display and lookup, extension dialing and transfers, intercom paging, shared line appearance and an embedded XML browser.

Aastra USA will supply inventory of the 6755i Virtual Office IP phone to OfficeMax, while 8x8 provisions and manages the 8x8 Virtual Office service. In addition to full duplex speakerphone functionality, programmable softkey appearances and LCD display screens, all models support "Power over Ethernet" and come equipped with dual auto-sensing switched Ethernet ports to eliminate additional wiring for a computer and simplify installations.

8x8 Inks Voice Trunking Deal With CallFire

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:48:18 GMT

8x8 is providing voice trunking services to cloud telephony solution provider CallFire. CallFire began offering its hosted power-dialing services to small business, call center and enterprise customers over 8x8's established VoIP network last week.

The agreement between the two companies links 8x8's enterprise-class SIP trunking service together with CallFire's cloud telephony platform, currently in use by over 14,000 businesses.

Initially a customer of CallFire, 8x8 noted that CallFire's voice quality could benefit from 8x8's superior VoIP network. By powering a substantial portion of CallFire's underlying VoIP network, 8x8 was able to combine its enterprise quality VoIP with CallFire's innovative Hosted Power Dialing platform, and now uses CallFire's broadcast services exclusively in its call centers.

8x8 Launches Hosted IP PBX Phone Service for Enterprise-Sized Businesses

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:42:16 GMT

8x8 provider of 8x8 Virtual Office and Packet8 broadband business, residential, video and mobile communications services, announces the availability of an enterprise version of its hosted IP PBX phone service suited for deployment in larger organizations located in either a single building, a campus environment or distributed across multiple locations.

8x8 Virtual Office Enterprise, the latest generation of 8x8's broadband agnostic hosted IP PBX business phone solutions, brings the features, flexibility and economies of hosted VoIP to enterprise environments at a time when economic conditions are forcing CIOs and CFOs to seek new ways to reduce operating expenditures. Unlike premise-based PBX phone systems that require a significant financial investment plus management and maintenance resources, Virtual Office Enterprise is a complete business phone solution that delivers advanced PBX calling features combined with cost-effective IP dial tone service, eliminating the need for expensive on-site equipment.

The 8x8 Virtual Office Enterprise solution meets the critical performance requirements of large corporations by providing high availability, quality and redundancy. 8x8 has recently upgraded its service infrastructure, deploying a new triple redundant architecture across three independent data centers with each data center connected to redundant IP access providers. This new architecture allows for failure of any software component, server, cluster or even a complete data center failure without affecting service to the end customer.

8x8 Increases Business Customer Base to Over 15,000 Companies

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:57:40 GMT

8x8 provider of 8x8 Virtual Office and Packet8 announces that as of January 31, 2009, the business customer base for its IP telephony services exceeded 15,000 companies. Over the past two years, 8x8's business customer base has roughly tripled, with the majority of customers utilizing its flagship Virtual Office hosted PBX phone service, an IP based telecommunications solution that provides enterprise PBX features plus unlimited calling at a much lower cost than traditional PSTN services. In addition to its Virtual Office service, 8x8 also now offers hosted contact center and key system services as well as IP trunking solutions, all of which are designed to operate over existing public or private high speed Internet connections rather than managed data networks.

In its most recent quarterly earnings announcement on January 29, 2009, 8x8 announced a record number of organic gross business customer additions during the December quarter and its lowest business churn rate in more than 18 months. The company also reported its seventh consecutive quarterly increase in cash and investment balances and the fifth consecutive quarter of net income.

8x8 Wins Awards at ITEXPO EAST 2009

VoIP Monitor — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:01:42 GMT

8x8, provider of 8x8 Virtual Office and Packet8 announces that its IP Hosted Key System business phone service received a "Best of Show Award" in the "Most Innovative Product" category at Technology Marketing Corporation's INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference and EXPO East 2009 which was held February 2 - 4 in Miami Beach, Florida.

8x8's Hosted Key System is an IP-based replacement phone service for traditional business key systems typically used by companies whose size or structure dictates the sharing of multiple, common phone lines among employees. In addition to noteworthy cost and feature advantages, the 8x8 Hosted Key System solution, as with all 8x8 business phone services, operates in any business location equipped with a public or private broadband Internet connection and can therefore be deployed seamlessly to connect multiple business locations worldwide.

The INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO Best of Show Award recognizes innovative products and solutions that were featured in the Exhibit Hall during the event. This designation serves to highlight the technological achievement and creative product features that set these winners apart from the rest of the crowd. INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine editorial staff evaluated the pre-show nominations, and met with vendors to inspect and review the displayed products on the first day of the Expo.

The 8x8 Hosted Key System solution includes a searchable corporate directory, direct intercom paging from phone to phone and shared line appearance functionality to allow a group of users to accept a call, place it on hold, page a colleague and ask them to pick up the call on any one of up to nine separate lines. The service can be deployed separately or in combination with the 8x8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX phone solution.

8x8 Joins Intel Business Exchange Certified Solutions

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:10:47 GMT

8x8's Virtual Office Business Phone Service is now part of the Certified Solutions Showcase on the Intel Business Exchange, an online storefront and business solutions Web portal designed to help small and medium-sized businesses speed the identification, selection and implementation of the technology they need to run their businesses.

The Intel Business Exchange brings together offerings such as bundled software and hardware, stand-alone business applications and services. Certification of the Virtual Office Hosted PBX phone service through the Intel Certified Solutions Program enables customers to be confident that the service has been rigorously tested and found to meet strict security standards.

Visitors to the Intel Business Exchange can research products and services, request quotes, connect with solution providers, read blog posts and see product ratings to get real-world input on a wide variety of small business technology solutions. Product categories currently featured on Intel Business Exchange include storage, security, communication, business applications and on-demand business applications.

8x8's Virtual Office hosted PBX phone service is an all inclusive Internet-based telecommunications solution which combines unlimited local and long distance calling with advanced PBX features. Normally priced at $49.99 per extension/month Virtual Office is now available to companies who subscribe by December 31, 2008 for a monthly fee of $24.99/extension or a one-time annual fee of $250/extension for the first year of service.

8x8 Cuts Packet8 Business VoIP Fees in Half

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:13:05 GMT

Packet8 has joined national efforts to relieve cash-flow burdens on small businesses by reducing monthly service charges for its Virtual Office Business Phone Service by 50% for new subscribers.

Normally priced at $49.99 per month/extension, Virtual Office hosted PBX phone service, an all inclusive Internet-based telecommunications solution which combines unlimited local and long distance calling with advanced PBX features, is now available to companies who subscribe by December 31, 2008 for a monthly fee of $24.99/extension or a one-time annual fee of $250/extension for the first year of service. New customers must purchase 8x8's new Internet protocol phones and agree to keep service for a minimum of one year in order to be eligible for the promotion.

Internet telephony technology, otherwise known as VoIP, lets companies deploy a full-featured business phone system over their existing broadband network for a fraction of the cost of traditional alternatives. For a small business, this can result in significant cost savings as there is no expensive equipment to buy or maintain. Additionally, monthly service fees covering unlimited calling and business- class features are fixed, facilitating a predictable and worry-free budgeting process.

8x8's Virtual Office enables businesses to do away with their expensive PBX systems and the costs that come along with it -- costs that include paying for more lines and services than a company needs and the mounting service charges tacked on each time a technician is called to the site.

Existing 8x8 Virtual Office subscribers are saving 50% and more off their legacy monthly telecommunications costs by making the switch from traditional phone services to the VoIP platform and, with more cash reserves, are better prepared to wait out today's deteriorating financial conditions.

Microsoft to Offer Packet8 VoIP Phone Service With Response Point

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:07:30 GMT

Microsoft to offer Packet8 VoIP phone service for Microsoft's Response Point small business phone system. Bryan Martin, 8x8 Chairman & CEO, and Xuedong Huang, General Manager for Response Point at Microsoft told members of the press at the Internet Telephony Conference & Expo West 2008 in Los Angeles that too many small businesses are frustrated with their existing phone systems and that solutions like the Packet8/Response Point offering enable companies to quickly and inexpensively deploy a complete, full featured IP telephony system within their existing network infrastructure.

"We are very pleased to provision Packet8's broadband agnostic VoIP phone service for Microsoft's innovative Response Point platform," said Mr. Martin. "Our combined solution will allow small businesses, regardless of location or network configuration, to experience the benefits of advanced IP telephony technology while dramatically reducing recurring monthly phone charges. With accessible and compelling telecommunications alternatives like this, no company should feel forced to settle for inadequate, high priced or overly complex telephony systems from legacy telecom providers."

"As a leader in VOIP telephony, 8x8 has been providing small businesses with affordable, easy-to-use voice services that match the needs of Microsoft Response Point customers," said Xuedong Huang, general manager for Microsoft Response Point. "Businesses choosing the Microsoft Response Point phone system with Packet8 service are assured reliable, high quality, fully compliant phone service provisioned by one of the industry's most respected VoIP providers."

Under terms of the agreement, Packet8 and Microsoft Response Point will jointly market the combined solution through their respective VAR channels and will also investigate potential collaboration in selling the combined offering through business retail partners. In addition, both companies will promote the offering on their websites and in select advertising channels. The Packet8 service has been tested and certified through the Microsoft Response Point Certification Program.

Packet8 VoIP phone service is fully E-911, CALEA (Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act), USF (Universal Service Fund), TRS (Telecommunications Relay Services) and CPNI (Customer Proprietary Network Information) compliant. Response Point customers using Packet8 as their service provider automatically enjoy free calls to and from any other Packet8 subscriber worldwide. Response Point with Packet8 is available immediately through select Microsoft agents and resellers nationwide.

Packet8 Hosted VoIP Solution Now Available at Staples.com

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:39:02 GMT

8x8 announces that its Packet8 Virtual Office hosted PBX small business phone system is now available on Staples.com. The Packet8 Virtual Office solution is an affordable, easy-to-use replacement for traditional PBX phone systems, allowing users anywhere in the world to be part of a hosted VoIP virtual phone solution. The service includes an auto attendant, worldwide extension dialing, business class voicemail, a full featured conference bridge and ring groups, in addition to a rich variety of other business class PBX and dial tone features not normally found on premise-based PBX systems.

Offering a combination of unlimited local and long distance calling in the United States, Canada and eight other countries plus advanced PBX features, the Packet8 Virtual Office solution enables small and medium sized enterprises to secure distributed corporate class telecommunications capabilities for a fraction of the cost of wire line business services from traditional phone companies. Unlike comparably priced single line VoIP phone services which offer features more suited to individual residential users, Packet8 Virtual Office provides companies with complete business phone system functionality along with the flexibility to operate each extension from any geographic location with high-speed Internet access. Packet8 Virtual Office reduces an organization's total cost of ownership for telecommunications services because of its minimal initial investment combined with unlimited worldwide calling for a low monthly fee and access to Packet8's low per-minute international calling rates to overseas wire line and mobile phone numbers.

Staples.com customers can purchase the Packet8 Virtual Office business phone package for just $79.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate) and begin using the Virtual Office service within minutes after a simple installation and activation procedure. Subscribers who purchase Virtual Office at Staples.com receive one free month of service followed by a discounted monthly service price of $39.99 for an Unlimited Extension.

8x8 Partners With Aastra; Introduces Packet8 Hosted Key System Services

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:01:07 GMT

8x8's Packet8 business launches of a new line of broadband agnostic, plug-and-play IP phones designed to enhance the features and functionality of Packet8 business phone services.

Developed in conjunction with Aastra Telecom the Packet8 675xi series of IP phones incorporates 8x8's advanced NAT traversal technologies to facilitate the same network-independent operational advantages Packet8 business customers currently enjoy with the existing Virtual Office business class phones and terminal adaptors. These include the ability to simply plug the phone into any public or private Internet connection and immediately make or receive calls without performing any network configuration or firewall manipulation. The Packet8 675xi IP phones also deliver enhanced equipment and service features including corporate directory display and lookup, intercom paging, shared line appearance and Power over Ethernet capability.

The Packet8 675xi IP phone series consists of three models the 6753i entry level phone, 6755i intermediate phone and 6757i CT advanced phone each of which offers full duplex speakerphone functionality, programmable softkey appearances, LCD display screens, embedded XML browsers and up to nine call appearance lines. All models support "Power over Ethernet," eliminating the need for a separate power supply for the phone, and come equipped with dual auto-sensing switched Ethernet ports to eliminate additional wiring for a computer and simplify installations. Additional features enabled by the Packet8 675xi series include intercom paging and direct dial from a searchable corporate directory. Prices for the Packet8 675xi series range from $129.99 for the 6753i to $349.99 for the high end 6757i CT model which includes a DECT cordless phone as part of the bundled offer. The 6757i CT model's built in DECT antenna allows the user to roam up to a 300 foot radius from the 6757i CT base telephone.

8x8 Introduces Packet8 Hosted Key System Services

8x8's Packet8 business introduce a new hosted VoIP services designed to replace traditional premise-based telephone "key systems" typically used by companies whose size or structure dictates the sharing of multiple, common phone lines among employees, regardless of where the employees are located.

Driven by the new Packet8 675xi series of IP desktop phones and the addition of shared line appearance services to the Packet8 Virtual Office platform, the new hosted key system solution provides businesses an opportunity to migrate to VoIP without altering the features, functionality and user behavior they have traditionally relied upon.

Ideal for offices where multiple users require the ability to view and answer more than one shared phone line at their desk or anywhere in the business, the Packet8 hosted key system solution includes a searchable corporate directory, direct intercom paging from phone to phone and shared line appearance functionality which allows a group of users to accept a call, place it on hold, page a colleague and ask them to pick up the call on any one of up to nine separate lines. The Packet8 675xi IP phones can be used with both the Packet8 hosted key system service as well as the Virtual Office hosted iPBX service, separately or in combination in the same office environment.

Packet8 MobileTalk Adds iPhone

VoIP Monitor — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:33:15 GMT

Packet8 has added the popular Apple iPhone to the list of over 450 mobile handset devices now supported by the Packet8 MobileTalk international calling service. Featuring mobile international calling rates such as $.01 per minute to China, $.02 per minute to the U.K., $.03 per minute to Mexico and $.059 per minute to India, the Packet8 MobileTalk service enables cell phone users to significantly reduce their international phone bills and maintain high digital voice quality while still enjoying the convenience and flexibility of on-the- go mobile calling.

The Packet8 MobileTalk iPhone application does not require a software download but rather uses a customized web-based dialer, accessible via a standard data plan or WiFi connection, to route calls to a unique local Packet8 access number and then on to the Packet8 digital VoIP network. Once the call has been initiated, the data connection is no longer engaged and the call is carried to completion over the cellular provider's network with only Packet8's low international calling rates applied.

Over 450 Windows, Palm, RIM, Symbian-based and iPhone mobile phone models, including the entire family of Blackberry phones running version 4.0 of the operating system and above, and 25 Nokia models running the Symbian OS, are now supported by the Packet8 MobileTalk service. A complete list of supported devices can be found at http://www.packet8.net/mobile_services/supported_phones.aspx.

Customers can sign up for a Packet8 MobileTalk account today at http://mobiletalk.packet8.net. Packet8 MobileTalk overseas calls are billed at Packet8's low international rates which can be found at http://www.packet8.net/international_services/. The complete terms and conditions of service for Packet8's mobile services can be found at https://www.packet8.net/terms/mobile.aspx.

Packet8 Awarded New VoIP Patent

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:43:44 GMT

Packet8 has been granted U.S. Patent No. 7,394,803 entitled "Distributed Local Telephony Gateway." The patent issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on July 1, 2008. The patent relates to IP communication systems and, more particularly, to broadband telephony services having distributed local gateways.

Since its establishment in 1987, 8x8's Packet8 has been awarded 73 United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications, processing and storage technologies.

Packet8 Business Voice Expands with Launch of Virtual Trunking Services

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:23:10 GMT

Packet8 Packet8 announces the introduction of Packet8 Virtual Trunking, a broadband agnostic IP trunking solution that allows a business to benefit from the cost efficiencies of VoIP while retaining their existing phones and phone system hardware and optimizing the use of their existing connectivity to the Internet.

Packet8 Virtual Trunking provides companies that have already made a substantial or recent investment in phone system hardware with an opportunity to reduce recurring monthly service and toll charges by delivering digital quality dial tone service over their broadband connection rather than a separate voice circuit from an incumbent or local exchange carrier. The company's existing phone system equipment continues to provide the user feature set while the Packet8 Virtual Trunking services provide dial tone together with local, long distance and international call routing services to that equipment from the Packet8 digital VoIP network.

In conjunction with the launch of Packet8 Virtual Trunking services, 8x8 has added domestic regional sales personnel who will be building a network of telecommunications resellers that sell into the SMB channel. Idaho-based interconnect Thompson Communications, a pilot customer who has been testing Virtual Trunking over a wireless Internet connection, had this to say about the service: "As a leading interconnect, our success is dependent on the quality of the services we recommend and deploy. Packet8's Virtual Trunking solution installed seamlessly over our existing wireless network and has exceeded our expectations for ease of deployment and voice quality. We look forward to recommending Packet8 Virtual Trunking to all of our customers."

Packet8 Virtual Trunking offers dial tone, toll-free number service, direct dialing, T1/PRI termination, analog termination, E911 support, Caller ID/CNAM, national directory listing and online billing and account management. Implementation of the service is achieved through installation of an Integrated Access Device on the customer's premise by a professional Packet8 installation team. Packet8 Virtual Trunking services can be provisioned and operational for customers in as little as one week from order.

Packet8 Adds Call Queuing Functionality to Virtual Office Small Business Phone Service

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:16:33 GMT

Packet8 announces the addition of "call queuing" functionality to the Packet8 Virtual Office small business phone service, now in use by over 11,000 U.S. companies.

With the Packet8 Virtual Office Call Queuing feature, a business can accept a greater number of incoming calls throughout the day by placing callers in a queue, rather than sending them to voicemail, when sales agents or employees are occupied with other customers. Virtual Office Call Queuing is an ideal feature for the small business that receives incoming calls into functional areas such as sales, technical support, customer service, billing and much more.

The Packet8 Virtual Office service is an affordable, easy-to-use replacement for traditional PBX phone systems, allowing users anywhere in the world to be part of a hosted VoIP virtual phone solution. Priced at $49.99 per month/extension for unlimited local and long calling plans also available), the service includes an auto attendant, music on hold, worldwide extension dialing, business class voicemail, a full featured conference bridge and ring groups in addition to a rich variety of other business class PBX and dial tone features not normally found on premise-based PBX systems.

Packet8 Virtual Office Call Queuing is currently available to Virtual Office subscribers as an add-on feature.

Packet8 Lowers International Calling Rates and New Virtual Numbers in Mexico

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:36:02 GMT

Packet8 announces it has reduced international calling rates to select countries and added Mexico to the list of overseas locations where subscribers may obtain a virtual phone number.

Packet8 subscribers can now save even more on calls to popular countries with the following new rates: $.01 per minute to China, $.059 per minute to India, $.10 per minute to Vietnam and $.13 per minute to the Philippines. These rates are available to all Packet8 business and residential customers, including MobileTalk subscribers who not only realize significant cost savings over cellular international calling rates, but also enjoy the convenience and flexibility of using their mobile phone when calling overseas. Complete details regarding international calling rates for all available locations can be found here: http://www.packet8.net/international_services. For frequent international callers, Packet8 offers unlimited global calling plans starting at $29.99 per month.

8x8 also announced the availability of International Virtual Numbers in Mexico. Packet8 subscribers who would like to establish a "virtual" presence in Mexico for business or personal reasons may secure a local phone number from one of 16 cities in that country for just $9.99 per month. International Virtual Numbers are often used by business subscribers to create the appearance of a local office in another country and by residential subscribers who wish to save family members and friends living outside the U.S. money on international calling. Packet8 currently offers International Virtual Numbers in 19 different countries which are listed here: http://sims.packet8.net/Documents/710076_13_International_Rate_Centers_For_Virtual_Numbers.pdf.

Packet8 VoIP Phone Systems Now Available at OfficeMax

VoIP Monitor — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:15:37 GMT

Packet8 announced the availability of the Packet8 Virtual Office business phone system at OfficeMax retail outlets nationwide.

OfficeMax's more than 900 U.S. retail stores are now stocking and merchandising Packet8's Virtual Office hosted VoIP small business phone system with point-of-purchase materials consisting of retail brochures and in-line shelf displays which showcase the Packet8 Virtual Office business-class telephone. OfficeMax customers can purchase the Packet8 Virtual Office business phone package for just $129.99 and begin using the Virtual Office service within minutes after a simple installation and activation procedure. Subscribers who purchase Virtual Office at OfficeMax receive one free month of service followed by a discounted monthly service price of $39.99 for an Unlimited Extension.

The Packet8 Virtual Office service is an affordable, easy-to-use replacement for traditional PBX phone systems, allowing users anywhere in the world to be part of a hosted VoIP virtual phone solution. The service includes an auto attendant, worldwide extension dialing, business class voicemail, a full featured conference bridge and ring groups, in addition to a rich variety of other business class PBX and dial tone features not normally found on premise-based PBX systems.

Offering a combination of unlimited local and long distance calling in the United States, Canada and eight other countries plus advanced PBX features, the Packet8 Virtual Office solution enables small and medium sized enterprises to secure distributed corporate class telecommunications capabilities for a fraction of the cost of wire line business services from traditional phone companies. Unlike comparably priced single line VoIP phone services which offer features more suited to individual residential users, Packet8 Virtual Office provides companies with complete business phone system functionality along with the flexibility to operate each extension from any geographic location with high-speed Internet access.

Packet8 Virtual Office reduces an organization's total cost of ownership for telecommunications services because of its minimal initial investment combined with unlimited worldwide calling for a low monthly fee and access to Packet8's low per-minute international calling rates to overseas wire line and mobile phone numbers.

Packet8 Videophone and VoIP Service Awarded New Video Patent

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:05:49 GMT

8x8's Packet8 videophone and mobile VoIP communication services has been granted U.S. Patent No. 7,339,604 entitled "Videoconferencing Arrangement Having Multi-Purpose Digital Still Camera." The patent issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on March 4, 2008.

The patent relates to a videoconferencing system with a modular terminal that includes a conventional digital still camera coupled to an input port of the system.

Since its establishment in 1987, 8x8 has been awarded seventy-two (72) United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications and storage technologies.

Packet8 Reissued U.S. Patent ''Video-Assisted Audio Signal Processing System and Method''

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:31:30 GMT

Packet8 broadband VoIP, videophone and mobile VoIP communication services, has been granted U.S. Patent No. RE40,054, which is a reissue of United States Patent No. 6,483,532 entitled, "Video-Assisted Audio Signal Processing System and Method."

The patent relates to an arrangement for controlling audio signal transmissions for a communications system that includes a microphone and a video camera. The reissued patent is dated February 12, 2008 and contains eleven new claims which strengthen the Company's intellectual property rights related to this invention.

Since its establishment in 1987, 8x8 has been awarded 71 United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications and storage technologies.

Free Lifetime Monthly Service for Packet8 MobileTalk Charter Subscribers

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:57:31 GMT

Packet8 is offering a limited quantity of free, lifetime monthly service plans for early subscribers of the Packet8 MobileTalk mobile international calling service. Effective immediately, this special first come, first served offer entitles any residential or business customer who signs up for a MobileTalk account to free activation and monthly service, a savings of $9.99 plus $9.99 per month for new Packet8 subscribers and $4.99 per month for existing subscribers, for the life of their MobileTalk subscription. These customers can simply download the MobileTalk application onto their cell phone at no charge and pay no recurring monthly service fees other than low per-minute rates associated with the overseas destination of their calls.

The Packet8 MobileTalk service seamlessly connects international calls from the mobile phone to the Packet8 digital VoIP network, enabling cell phone users to significantly reduce their international phone bills and maintain high digital voice quality while still enjoying the convenience and flexibility of on-the-go mobile calling. Packet8 MobileTalk users can dial calls directly and natively from their mobile handset, contact list or speed dial directory without the additional keystrokes required by calling card and other reduced rate international calling services. Once the destination number is dialed or selected, the Packet8 MobileTalk software application identifies the international prefix being called and redirects the call to a local Packet8 network access number. All Packet8 MobileTalk calls are carried to the Packet8 network over the subscriber's existing cellular voice phone service and do not require access to an expensive monthly data plan or WiFi access point. In addition to ease of use, Packet8 MobileTalk service offers exceptional rates, $.02 to $.05 per minute for most PSTN network destinations in Europe and Asia, along with unparalleled voice quality as calls are routed over the award-winning, patent-protected Packet8 digital phone VoIP network.

Over 450 Windows, Palm, RIM and Symbian-based mobile phone models, including the entire family of Blackberry phones running version 4.0 of the operating system and above, and 25 Nokia models running the Symbian OS, are now supported by the Packet8 MobileTalk service. A complete list of supported devices can be found at http://www.packet8.net/mobile_services/supported_phones.aspx.

Customers can sign up for a Packet8 MobileTalk account today at http://mobiletalk.packet8.net and download the application to their mobile device from a PC or, if the customer's existing mobile service plan includes data service, via a quick over-the-air software download. Packet8 MobileTalk overseas calls are billed at Packet8's low international rates which can be found at http://www.packet8.net/international_services/. The complete terms and conditions of service for Packet8's mobile services can be found at https://www.packet8.net/terms/mobile.aspx.

SupportSave to Expand its use of Packet8's Virtual Office

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:35:25 GMT

Packet8 videophone and mobile VoIP communication services announce a receipt of a new order from SupportSave Solutions. The order calls for SupportSave to expand its use of 8x8's Packet8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX phone services over the next year, improving the company's in-house telecommunications network.

Under the terms of the order, SupportSave will increase the usage of Packet8's iPBX solution from seventy-five phone lines to more than 150 extensions over the next ninety days. Using Packet8's technology, SupportSave expects to have five hundred to one thousand networked lines in service within the next twelve months.

Videoconferencing Solution for Packet8 Virtual Office Hosted iPBX Subscribers

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:10:03 GMT

Packet8 introduces the Virtual Office Tango Video Terminal Adapter, a convenient and affordable desktop videoconferencing solution that enhances the functionality of the Packet8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX phone system, now in use by over 10,000 U.S. based small businesses.

In addition to unlimited local and long distance calling, enterprise class PBX features and on-demand hosted call center capabilities, Packet8 Virtual Office subscribers can now experience the valuable benefits of worldwide videoconferencing directly from their personal Virtual Office extension. These include a reduction in travel expenses and time spent out of the office, increased worker productivity, more efficient and effective meetings, better support for remote workers and the ability to maintain close day to day contact with important clients.

The Packet8 Virtual Office Tango replaces the Broadband Phone Adapter that normally connects to the Virtual Office business class speakerphone and a business' high speed Internet network. The portable 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 1.38" free standing device uses a built-in, high resolution 5" LCD color screen and 180 degree rotating CCD camera to deliver advanced full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second along with crisp, delay-free audio. In addition to two or three way videoconferencing, the Packet8 Virtual Office Tango offers the following features:

Integration with Microsoft Outlook to allow users to import contact information and facilitate speed dialing and phonebook management
Integration with Virtual Office calling features through on-screen icon navigation and one-touch radio buttons
Compatibility with Packet8 Softalk Office
Built-in Router
Digital Picture Frame capable of displaying up to 16 images
Simple to Use Navigation
Quick & Easy Set up
Remote Surveillance Mode

The Packet8 Virtual Office Tango is available as a bundle (with the Virtual Office business class speakerphone) to new Virtual Office subscribers for $149.99 (after $100 mail-in rebate) or as an add on device to existing Virtual Office subscribers for $99.99 (after $100 mail in rebate). There is no additional monthly service fee associated with Packet8 Virtual Office Tango videoconferencing -- Virtual Office subscribers receive this added service as part of their existing service plan. Additional information about Packet8 Virtual Office Tango can be found at http://www.packet8.net/equipment/business/video_systems.aspx.

Packet8 Launches No Fee MobileTalk Trial Program

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:58:29 GMT

Packet8 announces the launch of a no obligation, no fee trial program that lets customers of any U.S.-based wireless carrier experience the dialing simplicity and call quality of the Packet8 MobileTalk mobile VoIP international calling service at no charge.

Introduced in late 2007, the Packet8 MobileTalk service removes the barriers associated with existing carrier, calling card and call back services that often discourage the use of cell phones for overseas calling. These include obstacles such as costly per minute rates, poor call quality, cumbersome dialing procedures and unreliable service availability.

With the MobileTalk Free Trial program, wireless customers can download the MobileTalk application onto their mobile device and use the service at no charge until a total of $2.00 in per minute feesis reached. Packet8 MobileTalk service offers exceptional rates -- $.02 to $.05 per minute for most locations in Europe and Asia -- along with unparalleled voice quality as calls are routed over the award-winning, patent-protected Packet8 digital VoIP network. To sign up for a Packet8 MobileTalk Free Trial, follow the instructions at http://mobiletalk.packet8.net/trial or text "MobileTalkCES" to 1-408-386-4137.

According to a recent report prepared by ThinkEquity Partners LLC Communications Technology Analyst Anton Wahlman, "Until one week ago, one form of cell phone calling remained radically expensive and/or difficult, and that is calling a non-U.S. number regardless of whether you are dialing from any cell phone while in the U.S., or whether you are using your T-Mobile USA WiFi/UMA phone abroad. 8x8 (Packet8) launched the first solution we have seen which accomplishes this task in the easiest manner imaginable -- no calling card or PIN codes, no special data plan needed, and no 'connection fee.' In other words, just dial a number like you normally do, with no change in user behavior at all. We believe this should appeal equally to individual consumers as well as corporate/CFO buyers interested in saving perhaps over 90% on international calls made from the cell phone."

The Packet8 MobileTalk service seamlessly connects overseas calls from the mobile phone to the Packet8 digital VoIP network, enabling cell phone users to significantly reduce their international phone bills and maintain high digital voice quality while still enjoying the convenience and flexibility of mobile calling. Users can dial calls directly and natively from their mobile handset, contact list or speed dial directory without the additional keystrokes required by calling card and other reduced rate international calling services. Once the destination number is dialed or selected, the Packet8 MobileTalk software application identifies the international prefix being called and redirects the call to a local Packet8 network access number. All Packet8 MobileTalk calls are carried to the Packet8 network over the subscriber's existing cellular voice phone service and do not require access to an expensive monthly data plan or WiFi access point.

Over 450 Windows, Palm, RIM and Symbian-based mobile phone models, including the entire family of Blackberry phones running version 4.0 of the operating system and above and 25 Nokia models running the Symbian OS, are supported by the Packet8 MobileTalk service. A complete list of supported devices can be found at http://www.packet8.net/mobile_services/supported_phones.aspx.

To become a Packet8 MobileTalk subscriber, it is not necessary to subscribe to other Packet8 VoIP or videophone services, though discounted service fees are offered to existing Packet8 VoIP or MobileTalk subscribers. There is a one-time $9.99 activation fee for the service and a monthly fee of $9.99 for non-Packet 8 subscribers. Existing Packet8 VoIP subscribers, including subscribers with at least one Packet8 MobileTalk account, pay a monthly service fee of $4.99. Packet8 MobileTalk overseas calls are billed at Packet8's low international rates which can be found at http://www.packet8.net/international_services/.

Customers can sign up for a Packet8 MobileTalk account today at http://mobiletalk.packet8.net and download the application to their mobile device from a PC or, if the customer's existing mobile service plan includes data service, via a quick over-the-air software download. To view a demo of Packet8 MobileTalk go to http://mobiletalk.packet8.net/demo.html.

Packet8 Virtual Office Service Hits New Milestone

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:34:26 GMT

Packet8 announced that as of the end of the December 2007 quarter, more than 10,000 U.S. based small to medium sized businesses are now subscribing to Packet8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX phone services.

The Packet8 Virtual Office service is an affordable, easy-to-use replacement for traditional PBX phone systems, allowing users anywhere in the world to be part of a hosted VoIP virtual phone solution. The service includes an auto attendant, worldwide extension dialing, business class voicemail, a full featured conference bridge and ring groups, in addition to a rich variety of other business class PBX and dial tone features not normally found on premise-based PBX systems. Packet8 Virtual Office reduces an organization's total cost of ownership for telecommunications services because of its minimal initial investment combined with unlimited worldwide calling to other business extensions and Packet8 subscribers, unlimited local and long distance business calling in the United States and Canada and access to Packet8's low per-minute international calling rates to overseas wireline and mobile phone numbers.

Offering a combination of unlimited local and long distance calling in the United States and Canada plus advanced PBX features for just $49.99 per month/extension, the Packet8 Virtual Office solution enables small and medium sized enterprises to secure distributed corporate class telecommunications capabilities for a fraction of the cost of wireline business services from traditional phone companies. Unlike comparably priced single line VoIP phone services which offer features more suited to individual residential users, Packet8 Virtual Office provides companies with complete business phone system functionality along with the flexibility to operate each extension from any geographically dispersed location with high-speed Internet access.

MobileTalk Launched on Packet8's Digital VoIP Network

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:17:54 GMT

Packet8 and MobileMax have successfully launched a user-friendly mobile calling service that offers a simple, affordable and high quality digital voice solution to overseas calling.

The new service, called "Packet8 MobileTalk" , is based on MobileMax Residential Edition software for carriers and service providers. MobileMax’s solution utilizes a downloadable software application that can reside on any smart phone to automatically route international calls from the mobile phone through the Packet8 digital VoIP network. This will enable cell phone users to significantly reduce their international phone bills while maintaining high international voice quality and the ability to enjoy the convenience and flexibility of mobile calling.

Unlike calling card, callback and other reduced-rate international phone services, which require the user to dial numerous key strokes in addition to their destination number or make their calls through cumbersome software applications, Packet8 MobileTalk users can dial calls directly and comfortably from a mobile handset, contact list or speed dial directory with no additional keystrokes -- a significant advantage, for example, when placing a call while driving. Once a destination number is dialed or selected, the Packet8 MobileTalk software application identifies the international prefix being called and redirects the call to a local Packet8 network access.

In addition, with Packet8 MobileTalk, all calls are carried to the Packet8 network over the subscriber's existing cellular voice phone service and do not require access to an expensive monthly data plan or WiFi access point. Packet8 MobileTalk calls offer unparalleled voice quality as the calls are routed over the award-winning, patent-protected Packet8 digital phone VoIP network.

MobileMax will be presenting its solutions at the Internet Telephony Conference and Expo, booth 833, January 23rd to 25th at the Miami Beach Convention Center or watch the demo here.

Packet8 Continues Tradition of Videophone Visits with Santa

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:40:17 GMT

Packet8 is once again continuing its holiday season tradition of providing pediatric patients in children's hospitals throughout the U.S. with opportunities to have live videophone visits with Santa Claus at the North Pole.

Now in its 4th year, the "Videophone Visits with Santa" program enables children who are hospital bound to see and chat with Santa over the Packet8 Tango videophone service at his "North Pole" workshop at 8x8's Santa Clara, California headquarters. The visits take place from either the child's hospital room or a centralized patient lounge area and are followed by the special delivery of requested toys and gifts.

Children's hospitals participating in the program this year include:

Cincinnati Children's Hospital - Cincinnati, OH
Miami Children's Hospital - Miami, FL
Johns Hopkins Children's Medical Center - Baltimore, MD
Barbara Bush Children's Hospital - Portland, ME
Schneider's Children's Hospital - Long Island, NY
Shriner's Hospital for Children - Tampa, FL
Vanderbilt Children's Hospital - Nashville, TN

The Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter is a one-of-a-kind broadband phone adapter with a built-in LCD screen that turns any regular home phone into a state-of-the-art, full motion videophone. Tango takes the concept of traditional analog terminal adapters one step further with the addition of advanced H.264 video, allowing for significantly better video quality compared to H.263 at the same bandwidth. Using 8x8's Packet8 Internet phone service, Packet8 Tango videophone subscribers receive unlimited video calling worldwide to other Packet8 videophone subscribers and unlimited voice-only calling in the U.S., Canada and eight additional countries for just $24.99/month. The Packet8 Tango is so easy to use that anyone, especially the young at heart, will enjoy owning one.

Packet8's Complete Contact Center Honored for Outstanding Innovation

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:02:46 GMT

Packet8's Complete Contact Center has received a 2007 Product of the Year Award from Technology Marketing Corporation's Customer Interaction Solutions magazine. Designed specifically for small to medium sized businesses with call center operations consisting of less than 100 seats, the Packet8 Complete Contact Center is a multimedia distribution and management platform that works with any broadband Internet service and provides enterprise class contact center functionality combined with Virtual Office hosted iPBX calling features and Packet8's cost efficient business VoIP calling plans. Developed in partnership with Contactual, Inc., a global leader in on demand contact center technology solutions, the Packet8 Complete Contact Center lets companies quickly deploy and operate multi-channel contact centers within Packet8's hosted iPBX infrastructure without the time and expense of purchasing, installing and maintaining costly, specialized equipment.

"We are pleased that Customer Interactions Solutions magazine, one of the industry's leading authorities on call center technologies, has recognized the unique and powerful attributes of the Packet8 Complete Contact Center solution with this 2007 Product of the Year award," said 8x8 Vice President of Sales and Marketing Huw Rees. "With the Packet8 Complete Contact Center, small businesses that need a professional, full featured call center solution can now subscribe to a pure hosted VoIP-based service and benefit from the associated lower costs and flexibility."

"8x8 has proven it is committed to quality and excellence in solutions that benefit the contact center experience as well as ROI for the companies that use them. I am pleased to honor their hard work and accomplishments and look forward to more innovative solutions from 8x8 in the future," said Nadji Tehrani, Executive Group Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Customer Interaction Solutions. "For 10 years, Customer Interaction Solutions magazine has been recognizing companies that have demonstrated excellence in technological advancement and application refinements."

The 10th Annual Product of the Year Award winners will be featured in the January 2008 issue of Customer Interaction Solutions magazine.

Packet8 VoIP MobileTalk Compatible With Nearly 450 Mobile Phones

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:32:25 GMT

Packet8 MobileTalk international calling service is now compatible with nearly 450 different mobile phones including Blackberry, Nokia, Palm, Motorola, Samsung and other popular makes and models.

The Packet8 MobileTalk service seamlessly connects international calls from the mobile phone to the Packet8 digital VoIP network, enabling cell phone users to significantly reduce their international phone bills and maintain high digital voice quality while still enjoying the convenience and flexibility of mobile calling. Packet8 MobileTalk removes the barriers associated with existing carrier, calling card and call back services that often dissuade individuals from using their cell phones for overseas calling. These include obstacles such as costly per minute rates, poor call quality, cumbersome dialing procedures and unreliable service availability.

With Packet8 MobileTalk, users can dial calls directly and natively from their mobile handset, contact list or speed dial directory without the additional keystrokes required by calling card and other reduced rate international calling services. Once the destination number is dialed or selected, the Packet8 MobileTalk software application identifies the international prefix being called and redirects the call to a local Packet8 network access number. All Packet8 MobileTalk calls are carried to the Packet8 network over the subscriber's existing cellular voice phone service and do not require access to an expensive monthly data plan or WiFi access point. Packet8 MobileTalk service offers exceptional rates, $.02 to $.05 per minute for most locations in Europe and Asia, along with unparalleled voice quality as calls are routed over the award-winning, patent-protected Packet8 digital phone VoIP network.

Nearly 450 Windows, Palm, RIM and Symbian-based mobile phone models, including the entire family of Blackberry phones running version 4.0 of the operating system and above and 25 Nokia models running the Symbian OS, are now supported by the Packet8 MobileTalk service. A complete list of supported devices can be found at http://www.packet8.net/mobile_services/supported_phones.aspx.

Customers can sign up for a Packet8 MobileTalk and download the application to their mobile device from a PC or, if the customer's existing mobile service plan includes data service, via a quick over-the-air software download.

Customers do not have to subscribe to other Packet8 VoIP or videophone services in order to sign up for Packet8 Mobiletalk, though discounted service fees are offered to existing Packet8 VoIP or MobileTalk subscribers. There is a one-time $9.99 activation fee for the service and a monthly fee of $9.99 for non-Packet 8 subscribers. Existing Packet8 VoIP subscribers, including subscribers with at least one Packet8 MobileTalk account, pay a monthly service fee of $4.99. Packet8 MobileTalk overseas calls are billed at Packet8's low international rates which can be found at http://www.packet8.net/international_services/. To view a demo of Packet8 MobileTalk go to http://mobiletalk.packet8.net/demo.html.

Packet8 VoIP Inks Distribution Agreement with SYNNEX

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:26:20 GMT

Packet8 has signed an agreement with SYNNEX Corporation calling for the distribution of Packet8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX phone services to small and medium sized businesses. SYNNEX will offer the telephony solution as part of its Technology-as-a-Service offering. The agreement enables SYNNEX Corporation's resellers to tap into the rapidly growing SMB hosted VoIP market with Packet8's leading business iPBX solution, now in use by over 9,000 U.S. companies.

According to a recently published IDC study dated August 2007, the market for hosted IP voice services among U.S. businesses is expected to reach approximately $456 million by the end of 2008. Small businesses, in particular, are gravitating toward hosted telephony solutions because they offer significant Total Cost of Ownership advantages, are easy to deploy and provide access to advanced, corporate-class features they otherwise could not afford.

Packet8 Virtual Office lets SMBs implement a distributed, hosted iPBX telephony solution for a fraction of the cost of traditional business phone system alternatives such as premise-based Private Branch Exchanges, Key Systems or Centrex. In addition to complete PBX functionality, Virtual Office service plans currently provide unlimited local and long distance calling in the U.S., Canada and eight additional countries for a flat-rate of only $49.99 a month, as well as lower-priced metered plans and international calling at highly competitive rates.

Packet8 MobileTalk International Calling Service Launched

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:25:23 GMT

8x8 launches Packet8 MobileTalk, an easy to use mobile calling service that offers a simple, affordable and high quality digital voice solution to overseas calling. Packet8 MobileTalk utilizes a downloadable software application that can currently reside on any Windows, Palm or Symbian based mobile phone to seamlessly connect international calls from the mobile phone to the Packet8 digital VoIP network. Routing these calls over the Packet8 network enables cell phone users to significantly reduce their international phone bills and maintain high international voice quality while still enjoying the convenience and flexibility of mobile calling.

Unlike calling card, callback and other reduced-rate international mobile calling services, which require the user to dial numerous key strokes in addition to their destination number or make their calls through cumbersome software applications, Packet8 MobileTalk users can dial calls directly and natively from their mobile handset, contact list or speed dial directory with no additional keystrokes - a significant advantage when, for example, placing a call while driving. Once the destination number is dialed or selected, the Packet8 MobileTalk software application identifies the international prefix being called and redirects the call to a local Packet8 network access number. With Packet8 MobileTalk, all calls are carried to the Packet8 network over the subscriber's existing cellular voice phone service and do not require access to an expensive monthly data plan or WiFi access point. Packet8 MobileTalk calls offer unparalleled voice quality as the calls are routed over the award- winning, patent-protected Packet8 digital phone VoIP network.

Customers can sign up for a Packet8 MobileTalk account today and download the application to their mobile device from a PC or, if the customer's existing mobile service plan includes data service, via a quick over-the-air software download.

Customers do not have to subscribe to other Packet8 VoIP or videophone services in order to sign up for Packet8 MobileTalk, though discounted service fees are offered to existing Packet8 VoIP or MobileTalk subscribers. There is a one-time $9.99 activation fee for the service and a monthly fee of $9.99 for non-Packet 8 subscribers. Existing Packet8 VoIP subscribers, including subscribers with one Packet8 MobileTalk account, pay a monthly service fee of $4.99. Packet8 MobileTalk overseas calls are billed at Packet8's low international rates which can be found at http://www.packet8.net/international_services/. To view a demo of Packet8 MobileTalk go to http://mobiletalk.packet8.net/demo.html.

Now Use Packet8 Tango as Videophone and Digital Photo Frame

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:27:08 GMT

Packet8 released a free firmware upgrade for the Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter that enables the device to function as both a videophone and digital photo frame. With the upgrade, the Packet8 Tango can now display up to 16 high resolution digital images on its built-in 5" LCD screen when the device is not in use for videoconferencing. To employ this feature, users simply connect their Tango to a computer via an Ethernet cable, enter the IP address for the device into a web browser and upload desired images in JPEG format. Images may be programmed to scroll at pre-set intervals when the Tango is in screen saver mode.

"Now, for substantially less than the cost of most dedicated digital photo frames, consumers can purchase a device that enables high quality two or three-way videoconferencing, low cost worldwide internet phone service and digital photo display," said 8x8 Director of Product Marketing Karen Hong. "Priced at just $99 after mail-in rebate, the Packet8 Tango is an amazing value that makes it easy and affordable for the average consumer to benefit from the features and cost saving of advanced VoIP and videophone technology."

In addition to the digital photo frame application, the new Tango firmware allows users to import contact information from Microsoft Outlook or any other CSV file format to facilitate speed dialing and phonebook management. Existing Packet8 Tango users may upgrade their device by following the simple instructions at http://www.packet8.net/support/installation_instructions.aspx#tango_videophone

The Packet8 Tango VTA is a one-of-a-kind broadband phone adapter that turns any regular analog phone into a state-of-the-art, full motion videophone. This portable, sleek-looking 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 1.38" free standing device incorporates a built-in, high resolution 5" LCD color display and 180 degree rotating CCD camera to deliver advanced full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second along with crisp, delay-free audio. The Packet8 Tango is fully SIP compliant and interoperates with 8x8's previous generation videophone, the Packet8 DV326 as well as its video soft phone, Packet8 Softalk.

The Packet8 Tango is currently available at http://www.packet8.net for $99.99 after $100 mail-in rebate or at CompUSA retail outlets nationwide. The accompanying Packet8 monthly phone service plan costs $24.99 per month and includes unlimited local and long distance voice calling to any phone in the U.S., Canada and eight additional countries, unlimited worldwide in-network voice and video calling to other Packet8 subscribers and all Packet8 advanced residential calling features.

New VoIP Patent Awarded to 8x8

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:30:00 GMT

8x8, originator of the Packet8 VoIP and video communication services for business and residential customers announce that it has been issued U.S. Patent No. 7,289,491 for an arrangement and method of Internet telephony. The patent issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on October 30, 2007.

The invention covered by the patent relates generally to an arrangement which includes a telephone and an interface unit which interfaces the telephone to both a standard switched telephone communications network and an Internet communications network.

Since its establishment in 1987, 8x8 has been awarded seventy (70) United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications and storage technologies.

CompUSA Inks Deal to Offer Packet8 VoIP and Tango VTA

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:29:04 GMT

Packet8 has signed a deal with CompUSA to offer the Packet8 Virtual Office small business phone system, now in use by over 9,000 U.S. based companies, and the Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter. Beginning this month, customers who shop at any of CompUSA's 103 stores nationwide will be able to purchase the Packet8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX retail package for just $79.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate) per extension and the Packet8 Tango VTA for $99.99 (after $100 mail-in rebate).

Packet8 Virtual Office lets small and medium-sized businesses implement a distributed, hosted iPBX telephony solution for a fraction of the cost of traditional business phone system alternatives such as premise-based Private Branch Exchanges, Key Systems or Centrex. In addition to complete PBX functionality, Virtual Office service plans provide unlimited local and long distance calling in the U.S., Canada and eight additional countries for a flat-rate of only $49.99 a month, as well as lower-priced metered plans and international calling at highly competitive rates.

In addition to the Packet8 Virtual Office solution, CompUSA is also offering the Packet8 Tango VTA, a one-of-a-kind broadband phone adapter with a built-in LCD screen that turns any regular phone into a state-of-the- art, full motion videophone. Tango takes the concept of traditional analog terminal adapters one step further with the addition of advanced H.264 video, allowing for significantly better video quality compared to H.263 at the same bandwidth. This sleek 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 1.38" free standing device incorporates a built-in, high resolution 5" LCD color display and 180 degree rotating CCD camera to deliver advanced full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second along with crisp, delay-free audio.

Packet8 Signs Exclusive Agreement with VoIP Service

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:18:24 GMT

Packet8 announces it has signed an agreement with a service provider that will soon exit the VoIP market calling for the exclusive recommendation of Packet8 as the replacement VoIP service for its soon-to-be-orphaned subscribers.

According to the agreement, Packet8 will be the only brand presented and promoted to the roughly 12,000 subscribers who will be left without VoIP phone service after the company winds down its VoIP operations over the next three months. In return, 8x8 will offer these subscribers a specially-priced Packet8 monthly service plan along with a free month of service, free activation, free shipping and a free Uniden 165P 5.8 GHz cordless phone to transition to its award-winning VoIP phone service.

"We look forward to welcoming these VoIP consumers to the Packet8 family of subscribers," said 8x8 Vice President of Sales & Marketing Huw Rees. "8x8 has been providing VoIP services since 2002 and, unlike many competitors, has established a strong business model providing subscribers with solid assurance that our service will be operational for the long term and that our reputation for quality and reliability will be maintained."

Just over two months ago, SunRocket, the second largest independent VoIP provider, announced it was shutting down its service and referring its more than 200,000 subscribers to Packet8. 8x8, now the #2 standalone voice and video service provider, was recently awarded its 69th U.S. patent for proprietary VoIP technology employed in the Packet8 service. In addition to residential service, 8x8 provides more than 8,000 U.S. based small businesses with the Packet8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX complete business phone solution.

Packet8 Expands Unlimited Calling Area and Lowers Costs

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:20:34 GMT

Packet8 has expanded the calling area of its Packet8 Freedom Unlimited residential calling service and reduced the monthly fee for the Packet8 Freedom Unlimited Global international calling plan. The Packet8 Freedom Unlimited VoIP calling plan, which previously offered unlimited local and long distance residential calling in the United States and Canada, now includes unlimited calls to regular, non-mobile phone numbers in Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, France, Italy, Ireland, Spain and United Kingdom along with unlimited in-network calling to other Packet8 subscribers worldwide. The monthly service fee for the expanded Freedom Unlimited calling plan remains unchanged at $24.99.

The Packet8 Freedom Unlimited Global international calling plan, previously priced at $49.99 per month, is now available at a reduced cost of $29.99 per month. Freedom Unlimited Global offers unlimited local and long distance calling to any number in the United States and Canada plus unlimited calling to regular, non-mobile numbers in the following countries:

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Moscow-Central, Moscow-Suburb, St. Petersburg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.
Asia: Australia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Latin America: Chile, Sao Paulo, Caracas, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
Middle East: Israel.
US territories: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam

All Packet8 residential service plans come with an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee and include robust calling features such as Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, 3-Way Calling, Voicemail to Email, Simultaneous Ringing, Caller ID with Name, Follow-Me/Find-Me and more.

Packet8 Virtual Office Call Center Solution for SMBs

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:18:22 GMT

Packet8 expanded the market for its Packet8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX phone service with the introduction of a new, fully integrated hosted call center solution designed specifically for small to medium sized businesses with call center operations consisting of less than 100 seats.

The Packet8 Complete Contact Center is a multimedia distribution and management platform that works with any broadband Internet service and provides enterprise class contact center functionality combined with Virtual Office hosted iPBX calling features and Packet8's cost efficient business VoIP calling plans. Developed in partnership with Contactual the Packet8 Complete Contact Center lets companies quickly deploy and operate multi-channel contact centers within Packet8's hosted iPBX infrastructure without the time and expense of purchasing, installing and maintaining costly, specialized equipment.

Delivered entirely as a hosted service, the Packet8 Complete Contact Center requires no specialized hardware or software, no telecom equipment and no up-front capital expenditures, making it an ideal solution for blending in-house and offsite or multi-site agents. Agents require nothing more than a web browser and a directly addressable voice terminal. The Packet8 Complete Contact Center service offers features such as:

Skill-based routing - directs calls, emails, web chats and voice mail messages to an available agent with the highest skill level to handle that interaction
Multi-media management - includes telephony, email, chat and voice mail and helps streamline contact center operations
Real time monitoring and reporting - provides critical contact center metrics and gives supervisors the ability to manage their agent teams effectively from any location
Voice recording and logging - helps companies improve the quality of customer service by evaluating agent-customer interactions.
Historical reporting - generates on demand reports which can be delivered in Excel spreadsheet format
Interactive Voice Response - managed through the web administrator interface, the IVR supports multi-tier menus, customer-entered digits, queue look-ahead logic for number of calls in queue and expected wait time
CRM integration - seamlessly integrates with leading on-demand software packages Salesforce.com and NetSuite to provide single sign-on, screen pop and outbound dialing functionalities
Contact and case management tool - tracks and maintains customer data and interaction history

When ordering the Packet8 Complete Contact Center service, businesses can choose from a variety of options and plans starting at $35 per station/month. Additional information can be found at Packet8.

Packet8 Ad Shoots Down SunRocket

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:56:14 GMT

After hearing from Giga Om that Packet8 has been selected as the replacement VoIP service provider for SunRocket customers I immediately went to checkout Packet8's home page. Upon arrival I noticed their great little advertisement that you see here. I couldn't help but laugh and spread the word. You really get the warm fuzzy feeling that Packet8 has a lot of sympathy for SunRocket's implosion.

Just refresh to watch the entertaining animation again.

New Features and Services for Packet8 Virtual Office

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:13:03 GMT

Packet8 announces the availability of new features and services for its Packet8 Virtual Office small business phone solution, recently rated the most popular hosted IP-PBX phone service in the U.S. by telecom research firm AMI Partners. The new offerings include Microsoft Outlook Integration, Overhead Paging and Toll Free Fax Numbers.

Available at no additional cost to subscribers, Virtual Office Outlook Integration seamlessly integrates a user's Microsoft Outlook contacts with their Virtual Office extension, allowing subscribers to place and receive calls through their Microsoft Outlook email client. Users have the ability to select a contact and then place a call to that party through a variety of options such as right clicking on the contact and selecting "Packet8 Call Contact" or double clicking the contact and selecting the Packet8 tab. When placing a call through the Microsoft Outlook email client, Outlook contacts the Virtual Office server and triggers it to ring the Virtual Office phone on the user's desk. Outlook Integration also allows Virtual Office users to see who is calling them by displaying screen pops containing the caller's contact information retrieved from any mailbox and any field (Business/Home/Mobile). If the contact is not found, a simple dialog box showing the phone number of the person calling is displayed. The Virtual Office Outlook Integration software client is available for free download at http://www.packet8.net/business_services/features.aspx#outlook_integration.

Providing Virtual Office users with an inexpensive way to implement company-wide overhead paging service, the Overhead Paging Extension enables simultaneous single or multi-zone voice paging to multiple locations within a single facility, branch office and/or remote locations utilizing a company's existing Ethernet network. Overhead paging allows a business to efficiently broadcast company-wide announcements or emergency alerts, saving both time and money while improving communication. To add an Overhead Paging Extension to Virtual Office service, users pay a one time equipment ($49.99) and activation ($9.99) fee with no recurring monthly service charges. The Overhead Paging adapter is compatible with any type of telephone port and integrates seamlessly with a company's existing Overhead Zone Paging system to provide service over the Packet8 network.

Packet8 also now offers Toll Free Numbers for Virtual Office Fax Extension subscribers. This service allows individuals to fax a Virtual Office business for no charge regardless of their location inside the US or your location worldwide. Two separate plans are currently available with this service -- a basic plan which includes 100 inbound fax minutes (4.5 cents per minute thereafter) for $4.99 per month and the Toll Free 1500 plan which offers 1500 minutes of inbound toll-free calls (and an industry low 2.9 cents a minute thereafter) for $39.99 per month.

Currently in use by over 7,000 U.S. small business organizations, the Packet8 Virtual Office hosted IP-PBX phone service offers unlimited local and long distance calling in the United States and Canada plus advanced PBX features for just $49.99 per month/extension. Virtual Office enables small and medium sized enterprises to secure distributed, corporate class telecommunications capabilities for a fraction of the cost of wireline business services from traditional phone companies. Unlike comparably priced single line VoIP phone services which offer features more suited to individual residential users, Packet8 Virtual Office provides companies with complete business phone system functionality along with the flexibility to operate each extension from any geographically dispersed location with high-speed Internet access.

The Packet8 Virtual Office service includes an auto attendant, worldwide extension dialing, business class voicemail, a full featured conference bridge and ring groups, in addition to a rich variety of other business class PBX and dial tone features not normally found on premise-based PBX systems. Packet8 Virtual Office reduces an organization's total cost of ownership for telecommunications services because of its minimal initial investment combined with unlimited worldwide calling to other business extensions and Packet8 subscribers, unlimited local and long distance business calling in the United States and Canada and access to Packet8's low per-minute international calling rates to overseas wireline and mobile phone numbers.

8x8 Awarded Additional VoIP Patent

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 16 May 2007 17:58:37 GMT

8x8 provider of Packet8 broadband VoIP and videophone communications services, announces that it has been awarded an additional VoIP U.S. Patent (No. 7,218,721) for a communication routing system utilizing a broadband data network. The patent issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 15, 2007.

Claim 1, the first of sixteen allowed claims, of the patent entitled "Virtual Telephone Extension," reads:

A communication routing system having a plurality of local and remote communication devices communicatively coupled through local and remote PSTNs, respectively, the system comprising: a user-programmable database associating each of a plurality of user identifiers with a device identifier, each device identifier corresponding to one of the communication devices; a call-routing switch arrangement coupled to one of the PSTNs through a portal communication device having a portal identifier and responsive to a received call designating a destination user identifier, the call routing switch arrangement adapted to use the user-programmable database to route the received call via the other of the PSTNs to a destination communication device.

Example embodiments of the invention include routing non-local calls through a broadband data network and utilizing a broadband data network to provide telephony services, including programmed and default call routing to a user's virtual extension, voice mail, or e-mail resources.

Since its establishment in 1987, 8x8 has been awarded sixty-eight United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications technologies.

8x8 Awarded New Patent for Video Communication

VoIP Monitor — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:33:32 GMT

8x8 provider of Packet8 broadband VoIP and videophone communications services announce it has been awarded a new U.S. Patent for video communication involving monitoring and security applications over communication networks.

The new patent, U.S. Patent No. 7,202,884, issued April 10, 2007 and is titled "Surveillance Method and System." Amongst the 37 allowed claims is claim #1 which reads:

1. A surveillance system comprising:

a first communications system communicatively coupled and adapted to deliver a request for image data;
a second communications system communicatively coupled and adapted to transmit image data;
a programmable surveillance system including a first computer arrangement for processing data including image data, and including a camera configured and arranged to capture images, wherein the captured images are processed as data by the first computer arrangement, and wherein the programmable system is configured and arranged to receive the request for image data from the first communications system, and, in response to the request, to automatically access and deliver image data to the second communications system;
and a second computer arrangement for communicatively coupling with the second communications system, and for processing data including image data, and configured and arranged to retrieve image data delivered by the first computer arrangement.

Since its establishment in 1987, 8x8 has been awarded sixty-seven United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications technologies.

Packet8 Expands International Virtual Numbers for Users

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:40:30 GMT

Packet8 broadband VoIP and videophone communication services announce the availability of International Virtual Direct Inbound Dial numbers with area codes from nine European countries.

With these International Virtual Numbers, Packet8 residential and business subscribers can create a "virtual presence" for themselves in the following locations -- U.K., France, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Ireland, and Denmark. By adding a Virtual Number from these locations to their Packet8 service, subscribers enable individuals based there to reach them via a local vs. an international call. Businesses, in particular, can benefit from using an International Virtual Number to open virtual sales offices overseas and answer calls from their U.S. based location.

Packet8 subscribers can add an International Virtual Number to the service for $9.99 per month with a one-time $9.99 activation fee. Additional information about Packet8 International DIDs can be found at: http://www.packet8.net/about/features.asp/.

Packet8 Tango Now Shipping

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:50:03 GMT

Packet8 has begun shipping its recently introduced Packet8 Video Terminal Adapter, a one-of-a-kind broadband phone adapter with a built-in LCD screen that turns any regular home phone into a state-of-the-art, full motion videophone.

The Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter takes the concept of traditional analog terminal adapters one step further with the addition of advanced H.264 video, allowing for significantly better video quality compared to H.263 at the same bandwidth. The Packet8 Tango is fully SIP compliant and interoperates with 8x8's previous generation videophone, the Packet8 DV326 as well as its video soft phone, Packet8 Softalk. This sleek-looking 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 1.38" free standing device incorporates a built-in, high resolution 5" LCD color display and 180 degree rotating CCD camera to deliver advanced full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second along with crisp, delay-free audio.

"The Packet8 Tango VTA received rave reviews during its debut at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show," said 8x8 Vice President of Marketing & Sales Huw Rees. "8x8's goal in developing this device was to create a very stylized, consumer friendly product that delivers outstanding video communications at an affordable price. Additionally, by enabling users to plug their regular home phone into the device and make voice-only Internet calls as well as video calls, we expanded the functionality beyond that of competitive offerings."

Key features of the Packet8 Tango include:

Icon-based Graphic User Interface
Three-way videoconferencing
Interoperability with other Packet8 videophone services, including Softalk Basic and Office softphone
Built-in router and USB port
180 degree rotating camera (250K pixels)
5-inch Color TFT-LCD display
Support CIF (960 x 234 pixels) and QVGA
External RJ11 FXS port
Two Ethernet interfaces (1 WAN; 1 LAN)
100 number phone book
300 number call log
Caller ID display
Status icons
LED indicators (Service, Power, Message & E911 alert)
Navigation keys (Up, Down, Left, Right, Menu)
Hot keys (Phonebook, Network Status, Configuration, Settings)
Remote Update Firmware
Remote surveillance mode

The Packet8 Tango weighs just 1.5 lbs. and folds completely flat. A soft neoprene carrying case is also included to further facilitate portability. The device is initially available in removable pearl white and graphite faceplates, though additional faceplate colors are planned for availability in the near future.

The Packet8 Tango is currently available at http://www.packet8.net for $249.99. The accompanying Packet8 monthly phone service plan costs $24.99 per month and includes unlimited local and long distance voice calling to any phone in the U.S. and Canada, unlimited worldwide in-network voice and video calling to other Packet8 subscribers and all Packet8 advanced residential calling features.

8x8 Partners with World Telecom Group

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:32:59 GMT

8x8 provider of Packet8 residential has signed a master reseller agreement with World Telecom Group.

"As more and more businesses learn about the features and benefits of VoIP phone solutions, established and respected solution providers like World Telecom Group become increasingly influential sources of information and referral," said 8x8 Vice President of Marketing & Sales Huw Rees. "8x8's partnership with World Telecom Group will help broaden Packet8's visibility in the expansive SMB arena while providing its agents with an opportunity to offer customers the most robust and affordable business VoIP phone service available today."

WTG's agents offer a wide range of telecommunication solutions including local and long-distance telephone, data and internet services and equipment. As a Packet8 master reseller partner, WTG agents will expand their portfolios with Packet8 residential and business VoIP phone services, including the Virtual Office hosted IP-PBX system, now the leading small business VoIP phone solution with more than 5,000 companies subscribing.

"We are very excited about having the excellent Packet 8 products for our Agent Partners to sell," said World Telecom Group President & CEO Vince Bradley. "It is a perfect fit with so much convergence in the industry going on today. This relationship will enable us to embrace that convergence and penetrate many affinity groups and other opportunities."

8x8 Launches Packet8 Freedom Fax Service

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 17:36:03 GMT

8x8, provider of Packet8 announces the launch of the Packet8 Freedom Fax service for residential subscribers.

Based on the T.38 ITU (International Telecommunications Union) standard for sending faxes across IP networks in real-time mode, Packet8's FoIP (Fax over IP) solution offers increased fax transmission speeds as well as a significantly higher level of transmission reliability than other VoIP services which utilize the G.711 voice codec to transmit faxes. Because the G.711 codec was designed for voice rather than data communication, common IP network characteristics such as latency and jitter cannot be dealt with as effectively as with a T.38-based solution which utilizes special techniques to keep the fax connection alive while fax data in transit catches up with the process.

"8x8 places the highest priority on delivering outstanding quality of service to our residential and business VoIP subscribers on everything from call quality to video enhancements to IP faxing," said 8x8 Chairman and CEO Bryan Martin. "With Packet8's Freedom Fax service, residential VoIP consumers can now benefit from the industry's most reliable IP faxing solution while saving money and increasing the functionality of their existing broadband Internet service."

Freedom Fax subscribers receive 300 minutes of outgoing faxes plus unlimited incoming faxes for $9.99 per month with a one-time activation fee of $29.99. Additional U.S./Canada outgoing fax minutes are billed at 3.5 cents per minute with outgoing International faxes billed at Packet8 international rates