VoIP and video service provider 8x8 introduced today the Packet8 Softalk, a video-enabled SIP softphone for use with Packet8 voice and video Internet phone services.

 

Packet8 Softalk will allow subscribers to make and receive voice and video phone calls directly from their personal computers. Along with traditional landlines and cell phones, Softalk users can also call Packet8 VideoPhone subscribers to carryout video communications when traveling without needing to tote along a separate device.

 

"The Softalk service gives Packet8 VideoPhone subscribers the option of purchasing either one or two videophones to make and receive Packet8 video calls," said 8x8's vice president of sales and marketing Huw Rees in a statement. "This means that instead of a $400 investment in two standalone videophones, subscribers can now enjoy two way voice and video calls using their PC on one end and a Packet8 VideoPhone on the other."

 

According to 8x8, the softphone supports FCC (News - Alert)-mandated E911 nomadic calling, now required as a standard feature of all VoIP services interconnected with the public switch telephone network (PSTN). The company also bundled advanced NAT traversal technologies and standards in the Packet8 Softalk offering, including IETF standard and draft ICE with STUN and TURN, to allow use of the service behind symmetric and asymmetric NATs.

 

In addition to a PC or laptop, the equipment required to use Packet8 Softalk includes a headset and microphone or USB phone. For video use, a standard, digital camera or off-the-shelf webcam is required to send video and images, though none is required to receive video images. Packet8 Softalk can be downloaded online.

 

Today's news follows 8x8's announcement back in June about it naming Daniel Weirich as its acting chief financial officer, vice president of finance and secretary, effective June 20, 2006. Weirich steps in after James Sullivan submitted his resignation on June 7th from that post.

 

Weirich served as 8x8's vice president of operations and will maintain this position, along with his new appointments, while the company continues an external search for a permanent CFO.

 

8x8, Inc.

http://www.8x8.com

 

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Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit Johanne's columnist page.

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