Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — 8×8, Inc. , originator of the Packet8 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and video communication services for business and residential customers, today announced 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, 8×8 has been awarded seventy (70) United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications and storage technologies.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

8×8, Inc, provider of Packet8 (http://www.packet8.net/) residential, business and video Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services, today announced 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, 8×8 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 8×8 Vice President of Sales & Marketing Huw Rees. "8×8 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. 8×8, 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, 8×8 provides more than 8,000 U.S. based small businesses with the Packet8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX complete business phone solution.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

8×8, Inc.(Nasdaq: EGHT), provider of Packet8 (http://www.packet8.net)
residential, business and video Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) phone services, today announced it has signed an
agreement with an organization managing the wind down of
SunRocket, Inc. to present SunRocket subscribers with a
specially-priced offer to transition their Internet phone service to
Packet8.
Under terms of the agreement, Packet8 will waive all regular
start up costs associated with its residential service plans plus
offer one free month of service, a value of over $100. SunRocket
will communicate with its 200,000 + subscribers via an email
and voicemail campaign recommending they transition their
service to Packet8 immediately.
"8×8 is pleased to be able to quickly transition SunRocket
subscribers that opt into the Packet8 service," said 8×8
Chairman and CEO Bryan Martin. "In addition to special pricing,
Packet8 is making arrangements with its network service providers
to rapidly port SunRocket phone numbers to Packet8’s network
in order to minimize the disruption that this transition may cause
to their communication services. SunRocket subscribers will be
able to choose from several plans, including the Packet8 $199
Freedom Annual Plan which they may already be familiar with."

Source: voipcentral.org

The set deadline laid by FCC for VoIP firms to provide 911 capabilities to their customers has finished. Its still unclear what next steps would be taken by both parties.

FCC in its mandate has clearly outlined that all Internet telephony operators have to get enhanced 911(E911) installed in their service in all their service areas. E911 requires that callers location and number has to be automatically provided by the company to PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). VoIP firms were barred to accept any new customers or market their services in areas which were not having E911. Though they dont need to discontinue services for the old customers who still dont have E911 services in their region.

FCC officials say that they are still reviewing the documents provided by the VoIP firms submitted before the Tuesday deadline. FCC hasnt taken any action so far. On the other hand VoIP firms, Vonage and 8×8 are continuing to market their services to new customers and accepting new subscriptions.