8x8 provider of Packet8 broadband VoIP and videophone communications services announce it has been awarded a new U.S. Patent for video communication involving monitoring and security applications over communication networks.

The new patent, U.S. Patent No. 7,202,884, issued April 10, 2007 and is titled "Surveillance Method and System." Amongst the 37 allowed claims is claim #1 which reads:

Packet8 broadband VoIP and videophone communication services announce the availability of International Virtual Direct Inbound Dial numbers with area codes from nine European countries.

With these International Virtual Numbers, Packet8 residential and business subscribers can create a "virtual presence" for themselves in the following locations -- U.K., France, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Ireland, and Denmark. By adding a Virtual Number from these locations to their Packet8 service, subscribers enable individuals based there to reach them via a local vs. an international call. Businesses, in particular, can benefit from using an International Virtual Number to open virtual sales offices overseas and answer calls from their U.S. based location.

Packet8 subscribers can add an International Virtual Number to the service for $9.99 per month with a one-time $9.99 activation fee. Additional information about Packet8 International DIDs can be found at: http://www.packet8.net/about/features.asp/.

Packet8 has begun shipping its recently introduced Packet8 Video Terminal Adapter, a one-of-a-kind broadband phone adapter with a built-in LCD screen that turns any regular home phone into a state-of-the-art, full motion videophone.

The Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter takes the concept of traditional analog terminal adapters one step further with the addition of advanced H.264 video, allowing for significantly better video quality compared to H.263 at the same bandwidth. The Packet8 Tango is fully SIP compliant and interoperates with 8x8's previous generation videophone, the Packet8 DV326 as well as its video soft phone, Packet8 Softalk. This sleek-looking 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 1.38" free standing device incorporates a built-in, high resolution 5" LCD color display and 180 degree rotating CCD camera to deliver advanced full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second along with crisp, delay-free audio.

"The Packet8 Tango VTA received rave reviews during its debut at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show," said 8x8 Vice President of Marketing & Sales Huw Rees. "8x8's goal in developing this device was to create a very stylized, consumer friendly product that delivers outstanding video communications at an affordable price. Additionally, by enabling users to plug their regular home phone into the device and make voice-only Internet calls as well as video calls, we expanded the functionality beyond that of competitive offerings."

8x8 provider of Packet8 residential has signed a master reseller agreement with World Telecom Group.

"As more and more businesses learn about the features and benefits of VoIP phone solutions, established and respected solution providers like World Telecom Group become increasingly influential sources of information and referral," said 8x8 Vice President of Marketing & Sales Huw Rees. "8x8's partnership with World Telecom Group will help broaden Packet8's visibility in the expansive SMB arena while providing its agents with an opportunity to offer customers the most robust and affordable business VoIP phone service available today."

8x8, provider of Packet8 announces the launch of the Packet8 Freedom Fax service for residential subscribers.

Based on the T.38 ITU (International Telecommunications Union) standard for sending faxes across IP networks in real-time mode, Packet8's FoIP (Fax over IP) solution offers increased fax transmission speeds as well as a significantly higher level of transmission reliability than other VoIP services which utilize the G.711 voice codec to transmit faxes. Because the G.711 codec was designed for voice rather than data communication, common IP network characteristics such as latency and jitter cannot be dealt with as effectively as with a T.38-based solution which utilizes special techniques to keep the fax connection alive while fax data in transit catches up with the process.

8x8 provider of Packet8 introduces its next generation consumer videophone solution, a one-of-a- kind broadband phone adapter with a built-in LCD screen that turns any regular home phone into a state-of-the-art, full motion videophone.

The Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter (VTA) takes the concept of traditional analog terminal adapters (ATAs) one step further with the addition of advanced H.264 video, allowing for significantly better video quality compared to H.263 at the same bandwidth. The Packet8 Tango is fully SIP compliant and interoperates with 8x8's previous generation videophone, the Packet8 DV326 as well as its video soft phone, Packet8 Softalk. This sleek-looking 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 1.38" free standing device incorporates a built-in, high resolution 5" LCD color display and 180 degree rotating CCD camera to deliver advanced full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second along with crisp, delay-free audio.

8x8, provider of Packet8 residential announces the addition of more than 1,000 new businesses during the fourth quarter of 2006 to its rapidly growing base of Packet8 Virtual Office VoIP Hosted PBX phone service subscribers.

Over 6,000 U.S. based companies ranging in size from three to 250 employees now subscribe to the Packet8 Virtual Office solution which combines unlimited local and long distance calling in the United States and Canada with advanced PBX calling features. Unlike comparably priced single line VoIP phone services which offer features more suited to individual residential users, Packet8 Virtual Office provides companies with complete business functionality along with the flexibility to operate from numerous geographically dispersed locations.

8x8 provider of Packet8 announced the addition of Packet8 Virtual Office PLUS plans to its existing lineup of VoIP-Hosted PBX phone services for business.

Packet8 Virtual Office PLUS plans enable businesses of any size to implement Virtual Office, Virtual Attendant or FAX services without investing in Virtual Office business-class phones and terminal adapters, normally priced at $99.99 per extension. In lieu of purchasing such equipment, Virtual Office PLUS subscribers pay an additional $5 - $10 per month per extension for business-class VoIP phone services ranging from unlimited calling plans complete with advanced PBX features to dedicated IP FAX service.

8x8 provider of Packet8 announced it is continuing its holiday season tradition of providing pediatric patients in children's hospitals throughout the U.S. with opportunities to have live videophone visits with Santa Claus at the North Pole.

Now in its 3rd year, the "Videophone Visits with Santa" program enables children who are confined to the hospital during the holidays to see and chat with Santa over the Packet8 VideoPhone service at his "North Pole" workshop at 8x8's Santa Clara, California headquarters. The visits take place from either the child's hospital room or a centralized patient lounge area and are followed by the special delivery of requested toys and gifts.

Systemax, announces a new partnership with leading VoIP and videophone communications company 8x8, Inc. to bring VoIP to the masses through an exclusive offer on select desktop personal computers. The offer bundles 8x8's Packet8 Softalk voice and video soft phone with select Systemax VoIP Desktop Personal Computers -- starting as low as $299 after rebate.

Available exclusively through TigerDirect.com, Packet8 Softalk-enabled Systemax PCs (models Venture H352V, Venture HU H531V and Venture HU B531V) enable users to make and receive voice and video calls directly from their personal computers by plugging a regular analog phone into the computer's built-in phone port. Along with traditional landlines and cell phones, Packet8 Softalk users can also call Packet8 VideoPhone subscribers and enjoy high quality video communications when traveling without needing to carry along a separate device.

8x8, Inc., provider of Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications services, announced it has been awarded a new U.S. Patent for VoIP technology related to the display and sharing of images over the Internet.

The new patent, U.S. Patent No. 7,124,165, issued October 17, 2006, is titled "Arrangement and Method for Displaying and Sharing Images." Amongst the 27 allowed claims is claim #12 which reads:

8x8, Inc., provider of Packet8 residential, business and video Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services, announced it has signed a retail agreement with Office Depot, a leading global provider of office products and services, to offer Packet8 Virtual Office business telecommunications services and equipment.

The agreement grants Office Depot exclusive rights to stock and display Virtual Office in retail locations nationwide. Beginning this month, Office Depot's stores and website will carry the Packet8 Virtual Office business phone service package for $79.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate).

8x8, Inc., provider of Packet8 (www.packet8.net) broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications services, announced that it was awarded two new U.S. Patents for VoIP technology on October 10, 2006.

8x8, Inc., provider of Packet8 residential, business and video Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services, announced that its Packet8 Virtual Office hosted PBX VoIP phone service is now being used by more than 5,000 U.S. small and medium-sized businesses ranging in size from three to 250 employees.

8x8, Inc., provider of Packet8 residential, business and video Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services, announced the availability of an upgraded version of the Packet8 Softalk voice and video softphone service with enhanced video quality and a more robust feature and user interface platform.