Packet8 internet phone service is one of the top VoIP service providers in the United States and Canada. They are owned by 8X8, Inc., which is a U.S. company located in Santa Clara, CA. In business since 1987, 8X8 has made a significant contribution to the development and advancement of broadband phone technology. VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone service made its public debut in 1995, and 8X8 introduced Packet8 broadband phone service for residential use in 2002. In 2004, Packet8 introduced internet phone service for small to medium businesses, and was also the first VoIP provider to deliver video phone service. Using technologies that they have developed and patented themselves, Packet8 has become one of todays best VoIP providers in terms of service, reliability, and market share. As a Packet8 user for over a year now, I can personally attest to their ongoing commitment to constant improvement and quality service. Offering unlimited local and long distance service within the US and Canada for $19.95 per month, Packet8 is one of the lowest cost internet phone service providers in the USA. Great features like voicemail, voicemail to email, call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID, call return, and call blocking are available for free; and this is just a small sampling of the free features they give you! They are continually adding service enhancements and new features, all designed to work seamlessly with the Uniden 1868P whole house phone system as well as their videophone. Enhancements planned for summer 2006 are caller ID with name and a new soft phone service called Packet8 Softalk. A soft phone is a PC-based telephone; most of the larger VoIP carriers are now offering softphone service due to the huge popularity of the service that Skype is now famous for. Packet 8s main competitors are Vonage, AT&T CallVantage and VoIP service offered by local cable television providers. At $24.99 per month for Vonage unlimited residential service and $29.99 per month for unlimited local and long distance calling with AT&T, Packet8 is the clear leader when it comes to price. Unlimited internet phone service offered by cable companies is currently averaging around $40 per month, depending on the cable provider (cable companies often refer to VoIP telephony as "digital phone service"). All these VoIP carriers offer similar free features and unlimited local and long distance within the USA and Canada. Vonage now includes free calls to Italy, France, Spain, UK and Ireland in their unlimited plan, which makes Vonage service the better buy if you often call these countries. Although VoIP usage statistics vary, it is estimated that there are around 48 million internet phone users today. Within the next 5 years the number of people using VoIP is projected to grow to 100 million. Due to the portability of VoIP, the tremendous cost savings vs. traditional telephone land lines, and the included features available for free VoIP is here to stay. VoIP is so easy to install and use that the hardest thing about broadband phone service is choosing a provider. No matter which VoIP service provider you choose, you cant go wrong as long as you stick with an established, progressive company that offers excellent customer service and has a reputation for quality. Depending on your needs, Packet8 VoIP service may or may not be the perfect fit for you, but it is definitely worth considering. |
