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 places the highest priority on delivering outstanding quality of service to our residential and business VoIP subscribers on everything from call quality to video enhancements to IP faxing," said 8x8 Chairman and CEO Bryan Martin. "With Packet8's Freedom Fax service, residential VoIP consumers can now benefit from the industry's most reliable IP faxing solution while saving money and increasing the functionality of their existing broadband Internet service."

Freedom Fax subscribers receive 300 minutes of outgoing faxes plus unlimited incoming faxes for $9.99 per month with a one-time activation fee of $29.99. Additional U.S./Canada outgoing fax minutes are billed at 3.5 cents per minute with outgoing International faxes billed at Packet8 international rates