8x8, Inc., the Packet8 broadband Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, announced that it has reached an agreement with CompUSA, one of the nation's leading retailers and resellers of technology products and services, to offer Packet8 Virtual Office in each of its 226 nationwide outlets.

Packet8 Virtual Office is a VoIP-hosted PBX phone service that enables small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) to implement a full featured, corporate class phone system for a fraction of the cost of traditional premise-based private branch exchanges (PBXs). In addition to PBX- functionality, Virtual Office service plans provide unlimited local and long distance calling in the U.S. and Canada for a flat-rate of $39.99 a month, as well as lower-priced metered plans and international calling at highly competitive prices.



Under terms of the agreement, CompUSA will offer a Packet8 Virtual Office "starter kit," made up of three high-quality, business-class telephones and terminal adapters, priced at $239.97 (after a $150 mail-in rebate). A single unit offering for expansion beyond the three-phone minimum also is available for $79.99 (after a $50 mail-in rebate).

"Our small business customers are looking for VoIP solutions that not only reduce their phone bills, but also offer functionality and features tailored for dynamic business environments," said Brian Woods, executive vice president and general merchandizing manager. "The Packet8 Virtual Office service takes VoIP to a new level for SMBs, offering a complete, full-service telecommunications platform without the high expense of traditional small business phone systems."

Virtual Office is an affordable, 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. The service includes auto attendants, conference bridges, extension-to-extension dialing, business class voicemail and ring groups, in addition to a rich variety of other business class PBX features normally found on premise-based PBX systems. Virtual Office reduces an organization's telecommunications total cost of ownership because of its minimal initial investment combined with unlimited local and long distance business calling in the United States and Canada and access to Packet8's low international rates.

"We are pleased to augment our presence in CompUSA with our award-winning VoIP-hosted small business phone system," said Huw Rees, vice president of marketing & sales at 8x8, Inc. "Now SMBs in more than 90 major metropolitan markets will be able to visit their local CompUSA store and purchase Packet8 Virtual Office, a solution that will dramatically cut their telecommunications cost and, at the same time, make them more efficient and competitive."