PhoneDog.com Voice over IP articles

VoIP company 8X8 moving in the fast lane

10/20/2009

8X8, Inc., a popular voice, video, mobile, and web conferencing service provider was named one of the fastest growing tech companies in North America. Deloitte LLP awards their Technology Fast 500 ranking to companies like 8X8 that show fiscal year revenue growth. Congrats to 8X8. Be sure to check out all of the highlights of this achievement in their press release below.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct 20, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- 8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq:EGHT), provider of innovative communications solutions to small businesses, today announced that it was named one of the fastest growing companies in North America on Technology Fast 500(TM), Deloitte LLP's ranking of 500 of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies. Rankings are based on percentage of fiscal year revenue growth during the five year period from 2004-2008. 8x8 grew 562% percent during this period.

8x8's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bryan Martin credits the company's proprietary technology, early entrance in the Internet Protocol (IP) communications arena and focus on the underserved small business market with the company's significant revenue growth over the past five years.

"We are pleased to receive this recognition from Deloitte LLP for the success and growth 8x8 has experienced as an independent IP communications service provider," said Martin. "Over the past five years, we have dedicated significant resources to building an enterprise-class communications service that today provides more than 18,000 business customers with a robust, money-saving alternative to traditional landline solutions. It is our focus on technological innovation, quality of service and customer support combined with sound financial management that has enabled us to build a profitable and sustainable business model in the IP communications industry."

"Technology Fast 500(TM) recognizes innovative companies that have broken down barriers to success and defied the odds with their remarkable five-year revenue growth," said Phil Asmundson, Vice Chairman and U.S. Technology, Media and Telecommunications leader, Deloitte LLP. "We congratulate 8x8 on this accomplishment."

"With its impressive five-year growth, 8x8 has earned its position among the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America," said Mark Jensen, Managing Partner, Technology and Venture Capital Services, Deloitte & Touche LLP. "Deloitte is proud to honor 8x8 for its achievement."

Technology Fast 500(TM) Selection and Qualifying Criteria

Technology Fast 500(TM) provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America. This ranking is compiled from nominations submitted directly to the Technology Fast 500(TM) website, and public company database research conducted by Deloitte. Technology Fast 500(TM) award winners for 2009 are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth during the five year period from 2004 to 2008.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500(TM) recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues. Using other companies' technology or intellectual property in a unique way does not satisfy this requirement. Consulting companies, professional service firms, etc. are not eligible unless they have proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of their operating revenues.

Technology Fast 500(TM) award eligibility requirements also include base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD or CD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD or CD. These revenues must have more than doubled between 2004 and 2008. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of five years, and be headquartered within North America.

8x8's Virtual Office VoIP services prove success

7/27/2009

After successfully creating the third largest residential real estate firm in the U.S., Keller Williams also proves how 8x8's VoIP services provide them with a successful phone system. Find out more below in the complete press release: Keller Williams' Bay Area Growth Facilitated by 8x8 Virtual Office IP Phone Solution and IT Management Services From RightCliq.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jul 27, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Keller Williams Realty has an operating model so unique and successful that it was the focus of a 28-page business case study written by Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. The 2007 study cited company culture -- including training, organizational structure and a rigid core belief system -- as an indicator of their current and future success. Today, Keller Williams is the third-largest residential real estate firm in the U.S. with over 650 locations nationwide.

Santa Clara-based VoIP phone service provider 8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq:EGHT) and managed IT service provider RightCliq have recently become part of Keller Williams' stringent formula for success, providing the phone systems and network support for the firm's Tri-Valley Realty offices serving Pleasanton, Dublin, and Livermore and home to over 170 Keller Williams agents.

"Each choice we make, from the realtors who join our family to the office systems we put in place to support them, are part of a larger set of values that we all ascribe to," says Rick Geha, owner and operating partner at Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty. "That's how we're able to maintain such growth when so many others are simply hanging on."

8x8 provides Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty offices (referred to as "Market Centers" in Keller Williams speak) and agents with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) hosted PBX phone solution called 8x8 Virtual Office. The 8x8 Virtual Office solution enables small and medium-sized enterprises to secure distributed, corporate class telecommunications capabilities for a fraction of the cost of wireline business services from traditional phone companies. RightCliq, the other part of this equation, ensures that Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty's network environment is optimized to make the most use out of the technologies they depend on to succeed, like Virtual Office. With the assistance of these service providers, each Market Center is able to employ a phone system with the sophistication of a corporate PBX, but for a price that fits within the guidelines defined by a parent company whose mantra is to lead with revenue and keep expenses low.

For Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty agents, this sophistication means calling features that allow their clients and associates to reach them by dialing one number instead of trying the office, then the cell, and for some, even their home. It also gives agents-on-the-go additional versatility that allows them to more easily capitalize on real estate opportunities -- like phone calls that can be read as emails and forwarded in the same manner. For Market Center administrators who bear the burden of keeping the office operational and on budget, it means more intuitive billing and less time spent picking apart statements to ensure that agent business costs are being correctly assigned. Another budgeting plus of the 8x8 Virtual Office solution is that the individual offices pay an unlimited flat rate for local and long distance calls so they are better able to predict monthly costs and don't have to penalize agents with burdensome long-distance fees that can really add up.

But, the cost savings and operational efficiencies that the Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty team enjoys today with the 8x8 Virtual Office solution may not have been possible without the aid of Fremont-based RightCliq.

Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty made the switch to 8x8, Inc. from a previous VoIP provider that they became unhappy with due to outages, dropped calls and poor call quality. With its highly competitive pricing and longevity in the market, 8x8 Virtual Office seemed to be the clear choice to replace the incumbent service provider. But, when network issues at the Keller Williams sites began to impact 8x8 Virtual Office call quality, the Market Center had to quickly take proactive steps to correct the design and operation of the network.

"That's the part where we came in," says Tom Kozas, president of RightCliq. "We knew the problem didn't lie with 8x8's service. The network Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty had in place wasn't designed to scale with their growth. To illustrate that point to their management, within only days, and not weeks or months, we were able to identify elusive network problems and help them quickly produce results for their agents."

The solution was RightCliq's VoIP Advantage (RVA), a network monitoring appliance and service which provided minute-by-minute monitoring of their VoIP network. RightCliq sifted through Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty's voice traffic for clues to quickly pinpoint the source of the voice issues the offices were experiencing. In one case, the RVA discovered excessive bandwidth consumption at various times during the day was the main cause. RightCliq then fixed the problem by optimizing the network to give priority to phone data.

Says Geha of Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty, "We're forging ahead in a market that hasn't been as kind to many other realty franchises due, in large part, to the bar we have set for ourselves. Companies like 8x8 and RightCliq are making sure that we have the right technology at the right price for our near and long-term business goals. We want growth -- and we want to make the money we are spending work for us."

The relationship forged by 8x8 and RightCliq to serve Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty falls succinctly into the real estate giant's own vision of culture -- a vision which includes the word "Teamwork" and the statement "Together everyone achieves more."

About 8x8, Inc.

8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq:EGHT) offers voice, video and mobile communications solutions for business and residential customers. These solutions leverage existing broadband Internet connections and cellular networks to deliver advanced features and digital quality phone service at a fraction of the cost of legacy, copper wire alternatives. Businesses of any size, configuration or geographic location can benefit from the cost, performance and operational advantages of VoIP technology. All 8x8 communications solutions carry little or no upfront investment, no maintenance or upgrade fees and no change in user behavior. For additional information, visit www.8x8.com.

About RightCliq Headquartered in Fremont, California, RightCliq offers enterprise-level managed IT solutions for small and medium size businesses (SMB) with flexible and practical mobile data and voice solutions that address business growth without operational complexity. RightCliq's comprehensive technology-leading solutions address a key challenge faced by most SMB today -- achieving breakthrough simplicity for applications such as push email, contacts, and calendar on any device without the high cost and maintenance -- hence providing RightCliq's clients a competitive edge by reliably keeping them in contact with their end-customers. For additional information, visit www.RightCliq.net.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: 8x8 Inc.

Vonage Holding Corp. to settle IPO litigation

6/17/2009

Vonage Holdings Corp. in Holmdel, NJ announced today that they have reached an agreement "in principle" to settle their IPO litigation. Complete details are included below in their press release.

HOLMDEL, N.J., June 17, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Vonage Holdings Corp. today announced that it has reached an agreement in principle to settle litigation against the Company brought on behalf of a class of shareholders relating to the Company's initial public offering, In re Vonage Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Civ. A. No. 07-cv-177 (D.N.J.). The settlement includes a release and dismissal of all stockholder claims against the Company and its individual directors and officers who were named as defendants. It is still subject to final documentation and Court approval. The settlement will be funded by Vonage's liability insurance under the Company's D & O policy. As a result, the Company will incur no additional litigation settlement costs other than nominal administrative fees and expenses.

About Vonage

Vonage (NYSE: VG) is a leading provider of broadband telephone services with 2.6 million subscriber lines. Our award-winning technology enables anyone to make and receive phone calls with a touch tone telephone almost anywhere a broadband Internet connection is available. We offer feature-rich and cost-effective communication services that offer users an experience similar to traditional telephone services.

Our Residential Premium Unlimited and Small Business Unlimited calling plans offer consumers unlimited local and long distance calling, and popular features like call waiting, call forwarding and voicemail -- for one low, flat monthly rate.

Vonage's service is sold on the web and through national retailers including Best Buy and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and is available to customers in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information about Vonage's products and services.

How to save with business VoIP from 8x8, Inc.

6/3/2009

With the current state of the economy 8x8, Inc. provides us with a press release that highlights how fast-moving start up companies, are saving a bundle with their business VoIP product. Enjoy the full press release below.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jun 3, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- With the number of new businesses springing up in today's recessionary environment, it's no wonder that companies like 8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq:EGHT), provider of money-saving VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone services to the small business market, are experiencing the highest demand in its history for the vital telecommunications services it provides to over 16,000 companies.

In its recent fourth quarter fiscal 2009 earnings announcement, 8x8 reported the addition of a record number of new business subscribers, approximately 15% more than the previous quarter, to its Virtual Office hosted VoIP phone service, an Internet-based telephony solution that saves companies an average of 50% or more on monthly phone charges. What's driving this accelerated adoption rate? Some of the demand is coming from a crop of new business start-ups whose entrepreneurial founders had perhaps suddenly found themselves unemployed and ready to take destiny into their own hands. Other existing small businesses are aggressively seeking ways to cut operating costs without sacrificing capabilities. In either case, cost and timing are of utmost importance.

"With 8x8's Virtual Office business phone service, a company can self install a full featured, business class phone system within minutes for a fraction of the cost of traditional, landline alternatives," said 8x8 CEO Bryan Martin. "And, if you can't wait for an overnight shipment of our Internet Protocol phones, you can simply visit your local Office Depot store and purchase one or more of them right off the shelf."

Entrepreneur and investor Jase Garner, owner of the recently opened Just4Him Men's Haircut Lounge(tm) franchise in Missouri City, Texas, chose 8x8's Virtual Office service because it was both "necessary and affordable." And, he says, "It's taking his business to a whole new level."

"I could never have afforded all these bells and whistles if you told me five years ago this was what I had to have," says Jase. Those "bells" and "whistles" include receptionist features that can greet clients when they call and take them to the stylist of their choice with a single push of a button. Until now, a small business like his would get little more out of their phone service than a number and a listing in the local telephone directory.

How did this Louisiana native come to cross paths with big business technology? Jase, a crop duster by trade, began seeing a decline in his market when the farmers he serviced weren't able to grow crops due to financial setbacks and increasing water shortages in the area. "Between the mess of Hurricane Katrina and a drought that went on way too long," says Jase "the need for crop dusting started to fall, and so did my business. I could let life happen to me, or I could figure out something else."

His Texas Just4Him Men's Haircut Lounge franchise, one of forty locations established over the past few years, was an idea created by friends in Louisiana who wanted to supply Katrina aid workers with a place to get a haircut and get comfortable without an appointment. "It isn't your typical salon," says Jase. On any given day, you'll find the "receptionist" is actually a "hostess" serving drinks to waiting customers who are enjoying the ambiance of a salon that has been compared to a modern-day "man-cave" with a high-end bar, low lighting, and flat-screen televisions as far as the eye can see.

8x8's Virtual Office phone service allows Jase to route incoming calls around his busy "hostess" to each stylist's cell phone, an advantage that pays off for both the business and the stylist. "Our clients are looking for personalized service, and, let's be honest, a little bit of pampering," says Jase. "They want a place to relax and unwind. With 8x8 Virtual Office, this means that the stylists can give their full attention to their clients without having to turn away and take a call. It also means they don't miss calls from clients that want to come back to a specific stylist if that stylist is on break or off work for the day."

Internet telephony technology, otherwise known as VoIP, allows start ups like the Just4Him Men's Haircut Lounge to deploy a full-featured business class phone system without running in the red. How? 8x8's VoIP phone service uses the existing broadband Internet connection businesses already have to deliver digital quality dial tone plus business class features remotely, on a hosted basis, without the need for expensive, on- premise PBX equipment. The combination of this doubling of resources, savings on upfront equipment charges, cost efficiencies of VoIP calls and the ability for business owners to configure their phones themselves without paying a hefty maintenance fee to have someone come in and do it for them is what prudent businesses today find very compelling.

And, at a time when recession-born businesses are booming, there is something else companies like 8x8 are doing to make it even easier for business owners like Jase to get out of the gate sooner and more successfully: ensuring that these services can all be accessed easily and affordably. Today, industry-leading software can be bought off the shelf to manage everything from inventory to accounting and 8x8's VoIP Business Phone System is no exception. Now, along with pens, schedulers and personalized stationery, business owners can purchase the 8x8 Internet Protocol business phone at their local Office Depot store for an MSRP of $199.99 and call 8x8 to sign up for one of the provider's low-cost monthly service plans. They'll receive a robust and affordable solution consisting of unlimited local and long distance calling plus features like auto attendants, music on hold, conference bridges and more.

"You can basically walk into an Office Depot store with a business idea and walk out with a way to make it happen with all the pieces in place," says 8x8's Martin. "Normally, businesses would pay two to three times more and wait weeks for installation of traditional telephone services with fewer features, but with VoIP they are paying very low monthly fees and enjoying far more benefits and capabilities."

"It's not your grandpa's barbershop" barks the Just4Him Men's Haircut Lounge slogan. And, to Jase's advantage as a crop-duster turned new business owner, it's not your grandpa's phone service either.

Vonage's plan of compliance accepted by the NYSE

4/27/2009

HOLMDEL, N.J., April 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE: VG), a leading provider of broadband telephone services, today announced that the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") has accepted the Company's plan of compliance for continued listing on the NYSE. The plan, submitted on a confidential basis to the NYSE, included a discussion of the Company's operational and financial initiatives and the projected impact of these initiatives on the Company's results in 2009 and 2010. As a result of the plan acceptance, Vonage's common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE. The Company will be subject to quarterly reviews by the NYSE to ensure progress toward its plan to restore compliance with continued listing standards.

EBay admits to overpaying for Skype

10/5/2007

In an article from the Times EBay admitted that it over paid for the internet telephone company Skype. EBay spent 2.6 billion dollars in 2005 to acquire the company and it still has yet to show a profit. Even though the there are currently about 200 million Skype users, EBay execs have failed to find away to entice them to use the paid services in numbers that will improve the profitability of the company.

Now that Vonage may be out the door due to the lawsuit with Verizon Skype may very well have a shot that's of course if Verizon doesn't go after them next?

Read full story here

Vonage to pay Sprint $69.5 million in damages

9/26/2007

For the second time in less than a year Vonage loses another patent infringement lawsuit. Vonage has been ordered to pay Sprint $69.5 million in damages plus a 5 percent royalty on future revenue for violating 6 of its patents. If both cases hold up in the appeals process Vonage will have to pay a total of $127.5 million + 10.5% royalties on future revenues.

Can Vonage survive such a hit to its bottom line? They are going to have to develop alternative technologies that will allow Vonage to sidestep paying the royalties, keep increasing their customer base and somehow keep their investors happy. Seems like a tall order for a company whose is ripe for a takeover bid.

Source: Washington Post

Skype

9/12/2007

When you use the free Skype software, you can connect to other Skype users so that you can talk and chat. For more detailed behind the scenes insight, read more about their cutting edge p2p technology here.

Skype

9/12/2007

Skype currently is available for Mac OS, Linux, Windows 2000, and XP. It will also work on Windows mobile devices. Check back often for updates to additional operating systems that may be added to Skypes list.

Skype - VoIP telephone service and so much more

9/11/2007

If you have any interest at all in low-cost "Internet phone service," or free Web-based voice, text, and video chatting, and haven't yet used Skype, you really should check it out. In a few short years, Skype has grown from "one of those Web chat service things," to a formidable contender for the title of, "All in one Web-based communications giant." Offering text, voice, and video chat, conference calls, file transfers, "SkypeCast" one-to-many voice chats, and VoIP telephony service, Skype has become a great tool for individuals and businesses alike.

Between low-cost VoIP telephone service, free Web-based IM, voice chat, and conference chat services, and now a plea to the FCC to open up the wireless airwaves to allow for Skype-based calling across cellular networks, the eBay-owned company has become a customer favorite and something of a renegade in the telephony industry (NOTE: Skype is careful to point out that as they do not offer emergency calling services a la 911, they should not be considered a true telephony solution). Whether you're an individual interested in low-cost home phone service or a business executive looking for powerful online collaboration tools and flexible voice and data services, Skype probably offers something that will pique your interest. Let's take a closer look at Skype's services.

Free Services All of the following is free on Skype:

Calling other people on Skype
Video calls on Skype
One-to-one and group chats
Conference calls with up to nine people
Forwarding calls to other Skype Names

All you need is a Mac, Window or Linux computer, a PocketPC handheld, or a "computer-less" Skye phone, an Internet connection, and the freely downloadable Skype application. While Skype-branded headsets are available for purchase, standard computer microphones and headsets generally work just fine with the service. Using Skype via computer speakers often results in a distracting echo effect on the listener's end, and is not recommended. Click here for more information including system requirements.

I've been using Skype BETA for Mac OS X for awhile now, primarily over my home Cable Modem connection, and it's great. I regularly conduct text and voice chats with friends and clients, and the voice quality is almost always stellar. Skype-to-Skype connections tend to sound the best, but even talking over Skype to someone on a cell phone set to speakerphone mode is good enough. I also regularly have conference calls over Skype with one of my clients. Skype officially supports up to nine parties on a conference call. Our calls tend to have four or five people on at a time, and the quality is usually excellent. The one hitch is that we sometimes experience delays that sound like the speaker is slurring his/her words for a moment. The more people on the call and the slower their connection speeds, the more frequent the slur-like hiccups. Even with these occasional hitches, conference calling on Skype is a great, free alternative to traditional calling, with the added benefit of Skype's built-in text chat and file transfer services. It's really a great tool for business in the Web age.

SkypeOut and Skype Unlimited

Skype's featured service is VoIP calling. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and basically refers to routing voice calls over the Internet to connect landline phones with Web-based clients. Skype allows you to place and receive calls using your computer, certain WiFi-capable cell phones, or a special Skype-compatible handset. Skype Unlimited allows unlimited "SkypeOut" calling to the US and Canada for $29.95 per year. This means that you can place calls to any phone - land line, cellular, or VoIP - from your Skype device; you do not get a phone number and so cannot receive calls with this plan. SkypeOut is also available on a per minute basis. Outgoing calls cost $0.021 to 30 global destinations, with higher rates applicable to some countries. Skype Unlimited customers are charged for international calling on a per minute basis, and you can also purchase Skype credit to make calls without signing up for a yearly plan.

I used SkypeOut for a few months last year when Skype was offering a free trial of the service (the trial expired on the first of this year). The experience was roundly excellent. While I had to use my regular (cellular) phone line to accept incoming calls, I basically made all of my outgoing calls for free when I was near my computer and a broadband Net connection. In fact, after the trial ended, I started using my cell phone so much more that my bill shot up and I had to up the number of minutes on my monthly contract.

At $29.95/year, SkypeOut is cheaper than other unlimited landline and VoIP plans, but there's a trade-off involved. While SkypeOut doesn't give you a number for incoming calls, it also doesn't tie you to a physical location like other services do. You have to be at home to use your home phone; you can be anywhere to use Skype so long as you have an Internet connection. The emergence of portable Skype WiFi phones and open WiFi hotspots makes Skype all the more powerful and attractive to self-employed and on-the-go types. A three-month SkypeOut plan is also available for $8.85.

SkypeIn and Skype Voicemail

For $60/year or $18/3 months, SkypeIn gives you a phone number at which to receive calls, and voicemail service to field calls you can't get to. You can buy up to 10 SkypeIn numbers in your choice of area codes, which is nice if you want to let people far away (family, friends, regular business clients) call you without having to pay long distance charges.

Note that SkypeIn is separate from SkypeOut, so if you want to be able to receive and make calls, you'll have to sign up for both services at a total charge of just under $90 per year. Skype Voicemail is also available as a separate service in the form of an add-on to a basic Skype account. This is basically akin to voice Email - you can receive voice messages whether you're logged on to Skype at the moment or not. If you're away, the messages are saved for you to retrieve the next time you log in.

Skype to Go

Skype to Go offers discount international calling from your cell phone. The service connects your handset to Skype's international calling service, effectively letting you make international calls at Skype rates - as low as 2.1 cents/minute - plus normal cellular minute usage for the call. Skype to Go is only available as part of Skype Pro (see below).

Skype Pro

Skype also offers a subscription-based service called Skype Pro, which offers "exclusive discounts, access to new Skype products and great international calling benefits" for $3/month. Skype Pro includes free voicemail and a free Skype to Go number, and touts a discount of "more than 50%" on SkypeIn services.

Skype Prime

Always fantasized about running your own Psychic Friends Hotline a la Dionne Warwick in the 1990's? Skype recently introduced a new service geared towards entrepreneurs game to offer for-free advice via voice and text chat. Skype Prime (now in BETA testing) allows any Skype subscriber to hang a virtual shingle advertising their service and setting a per-minute fee for said services. And, no, "adult" phone services are not allowed in Skype Prime.

Skype Zones (BETA)

Skype is also currently Beta testing a new service called Skype Zones which lets users make Skype calls from select Wi-Fi hotspots in airports, cafes, and other public locations around the world. According to Skype's website, some 18,000+ hotspots are currently Skype Zones-enabled, but the service only works with Windows computers at this time (PocketPC devices are not supported). Skype Zones calling is $2.95 for two hours, or $7.95/month for unlimited usage.

SunRocket’s demise, cautionary tale for VoIP users

8/17/2007

As of August 5, SunRocket, the Vienna, Virginia based VoIP company ceased operations and discontinued service to its estimated 206,000 customers. While it was at one time the second largest stand-alone VoIP company after Vonage, SunRocket could not compete with cable companies like Comcast and Time Warner that are now servicing two-thirds of all residential VoIP customers. Unfortunately, it appears that their service might not be all that some SunRocket users are losing.

According to report, the company handling the liquidation of SunRocket's assets, Sherwood Partners, has sold SunRocket's customer list to Vonage. Vonage has a website dedicated to offering former SunRocket customers a promotional package to switch to Vonage. Numerous former SunRocket customers noted that shortly after SunRocket announced its collapse, they began receiving offers from Vonage at their private SunRocket e-mail accounts, which suggests that SunRocket did sell the lists.

For consumers, the end of SunRocket should serve as a cautionary tale. When subscribing to a third-party VoIP provider, be sure to consider the company's long-term viability, especially if you are porting a long-held phone number to its service. Even industry stalwarts like Vonage may be in trouble Verizon's lawsuit against them causes the company to sink.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org

voip.com

8/15/2007

This is not recommended because standard security systems aren't natively compatible with voip. We strongly suggest you keep a basic landline service for use by your security system, or contact a company such as Alarm.com to upgrade your existing system.

The home security industry is rapidly evolving to accommodate new technology, like voip, but until voip is fully supported, we cannot endorse the use of a home security system on a voip line.

voip.com does have instructions on how to modify your current system, but this should only be done by a qualified individual. Should you choose to implement a security system on your voip.com phone line, you assume all risk of loss if the system fails to perform at any time.

voip.com

8/12/2007

No, you will not have to pay any additional taxes or fees with this plan! The only time additional funds would have to be paid with this plan, is if you were to make any International calls or additional services on your plan.

Lingo

7/25/2007

Where Lingo offers service, they are able to move your existing telephone number in most cases.

voip.com

7/11/2007

First you would want to verify the number can be changed by going here.

On that page, you can type in your number and can see if it is transferable. If it is, here's how it works:

Voip.com initiates the number transfer
You can do all the work as you sign up. All information provided must match the information with your current provider, and you cannot cancel your old service until the number is ported. If you cancel, you will lose your number.
Voip.com will then request to have the phone number ported over.
The process usually takes 15 to 20 days, but can take up to 30 days some times.
Once the number transfers, we will contact you via email to let you know you can cancel with their current provider.

Packet8 Virtual Office Ranked Most Popular SMB Hosted VoIP

5/17/2007

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT), provider of Packet8 residential, business and video Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services, today announced that a recent report by telecom research firm AMI Partners ranked its Packet8 Virtual Office service as the #1 hosted VoIP phone system choice by U.S. based small and medium sized businesses.

According to the SMB Interest Perks Up in Hosted VoIP report, compiled in April 2007, Packet8 Virtual Office had 6,000 customers, ahead of competitive offerings from XO Communications, Cbeyond and Covad. AMI's research methodology was based on key inputs including end user surveys of SMB and mid market companies as well as briefings, data and publicly available financial statements and news releases from voice communications vendors.

"AMI Partners' recent VoIP report is a very insightful and comprehensive study of the rapidly growing market for hosted VoIP business phone services," said 8x8 Vice President of Marketing & Sales Huw Rees. "We are very pleased that our Virtual Office solution, which is based on 8x8's own technology, was one of the first hosted PBX solutions to be deployed worldwide and that it has gained significant market acceptance with more than 7,000 businesses now using the service."

Hosted VoIP phone services deliver PBX functionality as a service available over the IP network with all equipment and management hosted externally by the service provider. Monthly service charges paid for hosted telephony business services include access charges, usage charges and charges for value added features such as find-me-follow-me, integrated voicemail/email, web based call logs, etc.

The AMI Partners report claims "SMBs are getting used to doing things in a hosted fashion. They are already implementing hosted solutions for collaboration, business applications and infrastructure solutions -- e-mail, e-commerce, CRM, ERP, accounting, personal productivity, document sharing, security and backup from small innovative companies that are providing hosted solutions that can be integrated through hosted solution integration platforms like AppExchange from salesforce.com."

Offering a combination of unlimited local and long distance calling in the United States and Canada plus advanced PBX features for just $49.99 per month/extension, the Packet8 Virtual Office solution is currently being used by more than 7,000 U.S. business organizations. Virtual Office enables small and medium sized enterprises to secure distributed corporate class telecommunications capabilities for a fraction of the cost of wireline business services from traditional phone companies. 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 phone system functionality along with the flexibility to operate each extension from any geographically dispersed location with high-speed Internet access.

The Packet8 Virtual Office service includes an auto attendant, worldwide extension dialing, business class voicemail, a full featured conference bridge and ring groups, in addition to a rich variety of other business class PBX and dial tone features not normally found on premise-based PBX systems. Packet8 Virtual Office reduces an organization's total cost of ownership for telecommunications services because of its minimal initial investment combined with unlimited worldwide calling to other business extensions and Packet8 subscribers, unlimited local and long distance business calling in the United States and Canada and access to Packet8's low per-minute international calling rates to overseas wireline and mobile phone numbers.

Vonage will continue to operate as usual during patent dispute

4/9/2007

HOLMDEL, N.J., April 9, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE: VG), a leading provider of broadband telephone service, today stated that it views the Court of Appeals' granting of a temporary stay on Friday allowing Vonage to continue to add customers as the first step toward resolving this matter in Vonage's favor. The stay will remain effective while the Appellate Court considers making the stay permanent.

Vonage will continue to provide digital telephone service to existing customers indefinitely by paying into escrow a quarterly royalty of 5.5% throughout the appeals process. Separately, the District Court required Vonage to post a bond of $66 million to secure Verizon's damages judgment.

Vonage is pleased that existing customers will not experience any interruption in service. The Company continues to believe it will succeed on appeal and continues to work on designing around the Verizon patents.

Vonage also continues to believe that this case is an attempt to do in the court room what Verizon could not succeed in doing in the marketplace -- which is to put Vonage out of business.

Vonage announced it will hold an investor update conference call on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 8:00 AM ET. To participate, please dial (800) 289-0533 approximately ten minutes prior to the call. International callers should dial (913) 981-5525. The call will be simultaneously webcast and accessible via Vonage's Investor Relations website at, ir.vonage.com. A replay of the call will be available on Vonage's Investor Relations website shortly following the webcast for two weeks.

Vonage (NYSE: VG) is a leading provider of broadband telephone services with over 2.2 million subscriber lines. Our award-winning technology enables anyone to make and receive phone calls with a touch tone telephone almost anywhere a broadband Internet connection is available. We offer feature-rich and cost-effective communication services that offer users an experience similar to traditional telephone services.

Our Residential Premium Unlimited and Small Business Unlimited calling plans offer consumers unlimited local and long distance calling, and popular features like call waiting, call forwarding and voicemail -- for one low, flat monthly rate. Vonage's service is sold on the web and through national retailers including Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target and is available to customers in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information about Vonage's products and services, please visit, vonage.com.

SunRocket Breaks Through 200,000 Subscriber Milestone

4/2/2007

VIENNA, VA - April 2, 2007 - SunRocket, one of the nation's fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, today announced it has eclipsed 200,000 residential subscribers - a testament to the rising strength of the category and the firm's determination to redefine what is possible when it comes to enhancing home-centric communications. The company has also launched or expanded service in several key markets over the past few weeks, bringing SunRocket's unique and compelling value proposition to the doorstep of millions of U.S. broadband households.

"Building a 200,000 subscriber base from scratch in a relatively short period of time demonstrates how rapidly consumers are embracing the value, simplicity and enhanced feature set of SunRocket Internet phone service," said Lisa Hook, president and CEO of SunRocket. "And while category growth has been impressive - approximately 10 million U.S. consumers subscribe to VoIP - we have barely scraped the surface in a market with more than 50 million broadband households ready, willing and able to make the switch to SunRocket."

"Mainstream consumers continue to demonstrate a strong appetite for Internet phone service; in fact the VoIP market is twice as big as it was a year ago and we predict continued strong growth going forward," said Stephan Beckert, Director of Research at Telegeography. "Internet phone service providers that offer compelling prices, products and features are continuing to gain landline converts."

In the coming months SunRocket will leverage the industry's only all-IP network to deliver a host of compelling home-centric communications products, services and features to consumers nationwide. At the same time the company will continue to lead the charge on issues vital to industry growth and maturity, such as:

Quality of Service (QoS) - By utilizing the industry's only all-IP network and partnering with industry leaders to better monitor and improve service quality, SunRocket is delivering high-quality, reliable communications to members.
VoIP Peering - Through relationships with key industry peering partners, SunRocket will continue to spearhead efforts for an open, innovative peering model that offers a viable alternative to the closed, outdated legacy PSTN cost-per-minute peering approach. By exchanging voice traffic directly with other VoIP providers, SunRocket realizes tremendous efficiency gains and can deliver enhanced quality of service for customers communicating via internet telephony.
Next Generation Enhanced 9-1-1 (E911) - SunRocket is the only residential Internet phone service provider to fully account for E911 from the beginning. Through ongoing work with organizations and partners committed to next generation E911 - and by leveraging our all-IP network - SunRocket will remain an active leader in delivering full emergency communications services from end-to-end.

"Over the past year SunRocket has successfully assembled the category's most dynamic and sound management team, featuring leaders with a proven track record for scaling a business and carving a sustainable path to profitability," added Hook. "With all of these pieces in place and a steadily growing market, SunRocket continues to stand out among a small handful of entrants communicating the value proposition of VoIP to consumers in cities and neighborhoods throughout the country."

Packet8 Virtual Office VoIP Phone Services to U.S. Army Installation

3/29/2007

SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT), provider of Packet8 residential, business and video Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services, today announced it will be providing Packet8 Virtual Office VoIP hosted PBX phone services to a United States Army installation.

The agreement, which represents 8x8's first U.S. government contract, calls for the installation of 15 Packet8 Virtual Office Unlimited Extensions at the U.S. Army's Yuma, Arizona MCAS Cannon Field P-111 site. Virtual Office Unlimited Extension service provides users with unlimited local and long distance calling in the U.S. and Canada along with hosted IP PBX calling features such as auto attendants, conference bridges, extension dialing, business class voicemail, music on hold, ring groups and more.

"We are very pleased that an organization as selective as the U.S. Army chose our Virtual Office VoIP hosted PBX phone service above other traditional landline and IP based telecommunications solutions," said 8x8 Vice President of Sales and Marketing Huw Rees. "As with the majority of our business customers, this organization places a high priority on reliability, scalability and mobility, as well as technical support expertise. Their selection of Virtual Office is a testimony to the sales, customer support and service excellence 8x8 has committed to providing in the development and delivery of Packet8 VoIP phone services."

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. The service includes auto attendants, extension dialing, business class voicemail, a full featured conference bridge and ring groups, in addition to a rich variety of other business class PBX and dial tone features not normally found on premise-based PBX systems.

Packet8 now offers international virtual numbers

3/21/2007

SAN JOSE, Calif., 2007 Spring VON Conference, March 21 /PRNewswire- FirstCall/ -- 8x8, Inc., provider of Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communication services, today announced the availability of International Virtual Direct Inbound Dial (DID) 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.

"We are pleased to offer this valuable additional service to our subscribers," said 8x8 Vice President of Sales and Marketing Huw Rees. "Features like International Virtual Numbers further differentiate Packet8 VoIP phone service from traditional plain old telephone service by providing cost savings and increased flexibility."

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: packet8.net/about/features.asp.

8x8, Inc. Now Shipping Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter

3/20/2007

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 2007 SPRING VON CONFERENCE -- 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT), provider of Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communication services, today announced it 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 (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.

"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."

Key features of the Packet8 Tango include:

Icon-based Graphic User Interface
Three-way videoconferencing
Interoperability with other Packet8 videophone services, including Softalk™ Basic and Office softphone
Built-in router and USB port
180 degree rotating camera (250K pixels)
5-inch Color TFT-LCD display
Support CIF (960 x 234 pixels) and QVGA
External RJ11 FXS port
Two Ethernet interfaces (1 WAN; 1 LAN)
100 number phone book
300 number call log
Caller ID display
Status icons
LED indicators (Service, Power, Message & E911 alert)
Navigation keys (Up, Down, Left, Right, Menu)
Hot keys (Phonebook, Network Status, Configuration, Settings)
Remote Update Firmware
Remote surveillance mode

The Packet8 Tango weighs just 1.5 lbs. and folds completely flat. A soft neoprene carrying case is also included to further facilitate portability. The device is initially available in removable pearl white and graphite faceplates, though additional faceplate colors are planned for availability in the near future.

The Packet8 Tango is currently available for $249.99. The accompanying Packet8 monthly phone service plan costs $24.99 per month and includes unlimited local and long distance voice calling to any phone in the U.S. and Canada, unlimited worldwide in-network voice and video calling to other Packet8 subscribers and all Packet8 advanced residential calling features.

SunRocket Teams with Hallmark Insights to Launch New Member Referral Program

3/15/2007

VIENNA, VA - March 15, 2007 -SunRocket, one of the nation's fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, once again redefines what is possible when it comes to enhancing the customer experience by announcing that our popular RocketRewardsSM referral program has been significantly expanded to offer customers a choice in gift cards and certificates from more than 350 retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment providers. To view the full list of added merchants, visit rewardchoice.com/rc_merchlist.asp?PML=Y.

The expanded referral program is the product of a new business relationship with Hallmark Insights, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc. that delivers personalized awards redeemable for gift cards and gift certificates to hundreds of leading retailers, catalogs, restaurants, travel providers, entertainment companies and more.

"We're truly excited about our expanded RocketRewards program - and members should be too - because there are now 350 amazing new reasons for members to share their positive SunRocket experience with friends and family," said Denise Simpson, SunRocket Senior Vice President, Marketing. "Our passion for delivering a uniquely compelling member experience doesn't end once consumers sign-up, and SunRocket's new and expanded RocketRewards program reflects a sincere appreciation for our members' loyalty and enthusiasm for our service."

In addition to redeeming referral points for gift cards and certificates, members can also continue to utilize referral points towards the purchase of hardware, such as cordless home phones.

"We are pleased to work with SunRocket in providing their members an unprecedented level of freedom and flexibility to choose from a diverse range of our participating merchants," said Maria Bavender, Vice President of Sales at Hallmark Insights.

For existing SunRocket members who wish to take advantage of the expanded RocketRewards program, the process is simple:

Refer interested family and friends to SunRocket have them click on the referred by a friend link, enter one of your SunRocket phone numbers and sign up for the service (Your first 8 referrals qualify for 25 RocketRewards points each and your next 10 qualify for 10 points.

You can view referrals by logging into the online Member Account Manager and clicking on "Rewards" (Your points can be redeemed after the member's referral has been a customer for at least 31 days).

Each member will receive his or her SunRocket reward via e-mail and can click on the link in the email to redeem gift cards and certificates to over 350 popular merchants.

SunRocket and American Telecom Services Bundle Certified DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone with VoIP Service

3/6/2007

VIENNA, Va., and CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.-March 6, 2007-SunRocket, one of the nation's fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, and American Telecom Services, Inc. (AMEX: TES), a leading provider of converged communications solutions, today announced the launch of a fully certified DECT 6.0 cordless multi-handset Internet phone powered by SunRocket. The E6501S DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) phone-which includes ATS' patent-pending Digital Clear functionality and is bundled with SunRocket Internet phone service-will be available through nationwide retail channels beginning this month, starting with one of the nation's largest office superstores.

"DECT 6.0 offers tremendous advantages over existing cordless handsets and begins setting the foundation for future SunRocket home-centric communications services," said Rob Chandhok, chief product officer at SunRocket. "Now any consumer with a broadband Internet connection can simply purchase this multi-handset cordless phone and activate SunRocket service to enjoy inexpensive, interference-free, digitally clear Internet telephone service."

With an integrated router, users no longer require a separate Internet phone adapter, as full VoIP capabilities are already built in. In addition, because the DECT 6.0 phone operates in the 1.9 GHz frequency band, defined by the FCC specifically for cordless phones, the DECT phone avoids interference problems associated with home networks and other wireless devices operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies-such as Wi-Fi, microwave ovens and garage door openers.

The E6501S, with its DECT 6.0 technology, also enables:

An expandable design for up to five total handsets;
Communications range of more than 650 feet; and
SIP-compliant VoIP platform.

"The combined savings, quality, simplicity and enhanced features of the American Telecom DECT phone bundled with SunRocket means that mainstream consumers can now enjoy full VoIP functionality in a single device and seamlessly transition from their existing home phone service," said Bruce Hahn, CEO of American Telecom Services.

Retail customers will be able to easily activate the multi-handset cordless unit for Internet phone service by choosing from any of SunRocket's offerings, including its pioneering all-inclusive $199 Annual Edition-which delivers unlimited free calling throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, enhanced voicemail, over a dozen free built-in calling features, enhanced 911 calling, plus the option to keep their existing phone number.

8x8 Inc. Chairman and CEO to Speak at the B. Riley and Co. 8th Annual Las Vegas Investor Conference

2/28/2007

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT), provider of Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communication services, today announced that its Chairman and CEO Bryan R. Martin will speak at the B. Riley & Co. 8th Annual Las Vegas Investor Conference on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 9:15 a.m.

The three day conference, to be held at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, will feature presentations by over 125 companies in a variety of industries, including retail, semiconductors, technology hardware, software, IT services, communications, media and healthcare. Additional details about the conference can be viewed at: brileyco.com.

Vonage Comments on Verizon Patent Litigation

2/26/2007

HOLMDEL, N.J., Feb 26, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- In the last week, several media reports have inaccurately speculated on the outcome and impact that Verizon's patent litigation now being heard in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va. would have on Vonage's business.

These same media reports overlooked Vonage's strong balance sheet and contingency plans for maintaining uninterrupted operations.

"It is wrong and irresponsible to presuppose either the outcome or the impact this litigation would have on our business," said Mike Snyder, Vonage's chief executive officer. "First and foremost, we are confident we have not infringed on any of Verizon's patents and, in any case, we believe the Verizon patents are invalid."

Snyder continued, "Nevertheless, our financial reserves would allow us to continue normal operations regardless of the outcome. In addition, we are confident that regardless of how this litigation is ultimately decided, Vonage's customers will see no change whatsoever to any aspect of their phone service."

Vonage intends to vigorously fight this frivolous lawsuit and expects to win. The company is confident it will be vindicated and, in the process, Verizon's lawsuit will be exposed as a transparent attempt to stifle one of its most successful competitors.

As the leading provider of broadband telephone services in the U.S. and based on Vonage's current financial position it is well positioned for future growth and success. Vonage's accomplishments in the past year continue to validate our business strategy and the strength of the company. These include:

19 consecutive quarters of double digit revenue growth
Doubled revenues to $607 million in 2006 alone
Adding nearly 1 million net subscribers and growing