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Internet Phone Service Provider 8x8, Inc. Issues Statement of Support for FCC Ruling on 911 ServiceSANTA CLARA, Calif., May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 8x8, Inc. , the Packet8 voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, said today that it applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling hours ago requiring VoIP service providers to mimic the 911 emergency calling capabilities offered by traditional landline phone companies. In June 2004, 8x8 became the first internet phone service provider to implement true E911 service. Launched with support from NENA, the National Emergency Number Association, Packet8's E911 service, which is deployed using VoIP building blocks provided by Level 3 Communications, Inc. , automatically routes calls and computer-based "screen pops" of caller information to emergency personnel at local Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). Unlike "911" services marketed by some other VoIP providers, whereby a call to 911 is intercepted by the VoIP provider and forwarded to a regular, non-emergency telephone number, a Packet8 E911 call is routed as 911 emergency traffic and is accompanied by caller information. Packet8's E911 service enables emergency personnel to ensure that callers receive the exact same response that they receive from 911 services provided by landline incumbent telephone carriers. Detailed information about Packet8's E911 service is available at http://www.packet8.net/about/e911.asp . Packet8 currently offers E911 service as an option on all of its service plans including its residential voice, videophone and small business services. There is currently an additional $1.50 per month service charge to subscribers who elect to subscribe to this optional feature. Packet8 will be contacting its customers who do not currently subscribe to E911 service shortly to provide additional information about adding E911 service to those subscribers' calling plans in order to comply with the FCC's new requirements that E911 must be a standard, rather than optional, feature of all interconnected VoIP services. About 8x8, Inc. VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service provider 8x8, Inc. offers internet-based telephony solutions (http://www.packet8.net/) for individual residential and business users as well as small to medium sized business organizations. In addition to regular Packet8 VoIP service plans, priced as low as $19.95 per month for unlimited anytime calling to the U.S. and Canada, 8x8 now offers the $99 Packet8 DV326 VideoPhone, the industry's first stand alone broadband consumer videophone with worldwide video calling for $19.95 per month. Packet8 Virtual Office, 8x8's VoIP solution for small to medium sized businesses, is a hosted PBX service comprised of powerful business class features. For additional company information, visit 8x8's web site at http://www.8x8.com/. 8x8, Inc. CONTACT: media, Joan Citelli of 8x8, Inc., +1-408-316-1290, [email protected] Web site: http://www.8x8.com/ |