8x8, Inc., the Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, announced that the Packet8 Virtual Office solution for small businesses received Network Computing magazine's Editor's Choice award over competitive offerings from Covad Communications and Velocity Networks.

Prompted by a recent TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) forecast predicting a decline in Centrex, key telephone systems and conventional TDM-based PBX lines through 2008, the Network Computing survey (http://www.networkcomputing.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=175803107) evaluated hosted IP PBX solutions for small to medium sized businesses with a focus on features, price and quality of service. The Packet8 Virtual Office solution received the highest overall rating for its rich feature set, call management tools and low subscription price.

"We are pleased that Network Computing recognizes the numerous ways Packet8 Virtual Office benefits small businesses," said Huw Rees, vice president of sales and marketing at 8x8. "Our VoIP-hosted PBX service continues to receive accolades from subscribers, partners and resellers who have been searching for a robust and affordable VoIP service for this underserved market."

Virtual Office is a cost-effective, easy-to-use alternative to traditional PBX systems that allows users anywhere in the world to be part of a VoIP-hosted virtual phone system that includes auto attendants, conference bridges, extension-to-extension dialing, business class voicemail and ring groups, in addition to a rich variety of other business telephone features normally found on high-end, premise based PBX systems. Virtual Office reduces an organization's telecommunications total cost of ownership (TCO) with a minimal initial investment combined with unlimited local and long distance business calling throughout the United States and Canada and Packet8's low international rates.