SUBSCRIBE TO TMCnet
TMCnet - World's Largest Communications and Technology Community

CHANNEL BY TOPICS


QUICK LINKS




Small Business VoIP

Small Business VoIP Channel Feature Article



  Small Business VoIP Feature Article

 

» Back to Small Business VoIP

January 30, 2006

8x8 Intros CounterPath Video SIP Softphone

By Johanne Torres, Contributing Editor


VoIP and video service provider 8x8 Inc. announced earlier this month that it has teamed up with SIP softphone developer CounterPath Solutions Inc. to introduce 8x8's latest VoIP service, Packet8 Softalk, a co-branded, video-enabled SIP softphone for use with the Packet8 residential, video and Virtual Office Internet phone services. 

 
Based on CounterPath's software development kit (SDK), Softalk allows 8x8's subscribers to make and receive voice and video phone calls directly on their PC's, therefore eliminating the need for a regular analog phone. All that is required to use Softalk is a desktop or laptop personal computer running Microsoft Windows with built-in or external speakers and microphones or a computer headset.
 
The new service will be offered in two plans, Basic and Premium, beginning Q1 2006. Packet8 Softalk Basic allows unlimited IP to IP (in- network) voice and video calling between Softalk users and existing Packet8 voice and videophone subscribers free of charge. There is no activation or disconnect fee for the Basic service.
 
"With the launch of Packet8 Softalk, we are not only providing potential new customers with an opportunity to test Packet8 service, we are also giving our existing Packet8 subscribers an easy way to access their service even while they are away from the home or office," said 8x8 vice president of sales & Marketing Huw Rees. "Packet8 Softalk can be downloaded to a laptop so that when a subscriber travels all they need to do is go online to make phone calls and get all the great benefits of the Packet8 service."
 
Packet8 Softalk Premium and Softalk Virtual Office will offer the same toll free in-network calling as well as outbound calling to the public switch telephone network (PSTN) along with all the Packet8 standard features including voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding and others for $5.99 per month and a one-time activation fee of $9.99.
 
Softalk Premium users will get 500 minutes of outgoing and incoming minutes on calls throughout the US and Canada. Softalk Virtual Office is priced at $5.99 per month for 200 minutes of calls to the U.S. and Canada. Each additional minute will be billed at 1.9 cents per minute, with outgoing international minutes billed at the current Packet8 international rates.
 
"8x8 has built a very compelling value proposition for its customers," said Donovan Jones CounterPath's vice president sales & marketing. "As business and residential customers maximize the benefits from IP communications, softphones which allow for high quality Voice, Video and IM, will become a critical component of a service provider's offering. Through our licensing agreement, we are looking forward to further augmenting 8x8's service offerings with high quality, rich, robust applications."
 
Both Packet8 Softalk plans can be downloaded from the Packet8 Web site for free. In addition to a PC or laptop, subscribers will also need a headset and microphone or USB phone to use Packet8 Softalk. For video use, a standard, off-the-shelf Web cam is required to send images, though none is required to receive video images. With a small footprint installer, SIP standards compliant Packet8 Softalk runs on Windows operating systems that run personal computers (PCs). Packet8 Softalk uses advanced audio and video compression algorithms.
 
Uniden also teamed with 8x8 to introduce a new co-branded VoIP product. Announced yesterday, the Packet8-enabled UIP165P is a 5.8GHz DSS cordless, service-ready whole house VoIP phone system. The companies demonstrated the device at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) taking place this week at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The UIP165P is the second co-branded VoIP product delivered by Uniden and 8x8. Announced in April 2005, the Uniden UIP1868P is available to consumers at retailers nationwide, including CompUSA, Fry's, OfficeMax, Costco.com and Amazon.com.
 
8x8 also made news yesterday when it announced it signed an agreement with Wireless Fulfillment Services LLC, a subsidiary of mobile phone distributor Brightpoint Inc. to distribute Packet8 Internet phone services and related equipment into its Value Added Reseller (VAR) and System Integrator (SI) channel. Through its online Wireless Enterprise Solutions (WES) program, Brightpoint's nationwide network of VARs and System Integrators will serve as sub-agents for Packet8 residential and business service plans.
 
Brightpoint will warehouse, activate, provision, program and fulfill Packet8 devices, eliminating the need for sub-agents to maintain device inventory while at the same time allowing them to receive commissions for the activation of Packet8 VoIP-based services. Additionally, the WES Web site will provide Brightpoint's customers with access to its catalog of wireless accessories, mobile applications and content to provide customers with a bundled wireless solution.
 
8x8, Inc.
http://www.8x8.com
CounterPath Solutions, Inc.
http://www.counterpath.com
-----
 
Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit Johanne Torres' columnist page
 


 

Back to Small Business VoIP





Technology Marketing Corporation

2 Trap Falls Road Suite 106, Shelton, CT 06484 USA
Ph: +1-203-852-6800, 800-243-6002

General comments: [email protected].
Comments about this site: [email protected].

STAY CURRENT YOUR WAY

© 2024 Technology Marketing Corporation. All rights reserved | Privacy Policy