Packet8 Internet Telephone Service   Packet8 Website

The Packet8 residential plan, ($19.99 a month), is among the least expensive of all the unlimited-minute VoIP plans you'll find. Packet8 is also the first VoIP service to offer 911 that's close to what you get with a traditional analog phone service.

Packet8 also offers plans for businesses, videophone plans, and flat-rate plans for callers to Europe and Asia. You can keep your current number with the Packet8 service and you can also get a second, 'virtual' number in another area code.

Packet8's voice quality is comparable to traditional phones, but like many VoIP services, conversations proved difficult when we were uploading large files during a call.

Installing Packet8 Like the other VoIP services, setting up Packet8 is a snap: simply plug in the phone adapter to the router, plug it in a wall outlet, connect your phone to the adapter, and you're ready to go. DSL users without routers simply configure the adapter to supply your DSL username and password.

If you want two lines into your home, there is a dual-port adaptor available, with a $9.95 activation fee for the second line. Each line has it's own monthly 'account', so you don't have to carry the same service level for both lines.

Packet8 Standard Package Features: Packet8 offers two residential calling plans.

The Freedom Unlimited plan
* Unlimited calling in the United States and Canada*
* Low rates to other countries
* $19.99/month

Freedom International plan provides a number in a US area code
* Unlimited calling in the United States and Canada*
* Unlimited calling to 40 other popular countries around the world
* $49.99/month

*Each plan includes a $29.95 activation fee.

Packet8 Video Phone Service: Seeing your distant family & friends ~ now as easy as dialing a phone number! Get unlimited video calling worldwide & unlimited audio-only calling in the U.S. & Canada for just $19.99/month. The Packet8 VideoPhone delivers high-quality, full-motion video and clear, delay-free audio over any broadband internet connection. Available for both residential and business customers.

Key Features for the Packet8 Video Phone Service:
* It is a standalone Plug-and-play device with no need for a monitor, microphone, speakers or even computer!
* High-quality CCD camera and up to 30 frames per second video quality
* 5" High-quality LCD screen
* Audio/Video output for larger, external screen display
* Audio/Video input for external video sources like digital camera or camcorder
* Many more features, see Packet8 website for full details.

Available Residential Videophone Service Plans
Freedom Unlimited VideoPhone ~
* Unlimited calling in the United States and Canada*
* Unlimited worldwide calling to other Packet8 VideoPhones
* Low rates to other countries
* $19.99/month

Softalk™ Basic ~
* Unlimited worldwide audio & video calls to other Packet8 subscribers
* 3 way in-network audio & video calling

Softalk™ Premium ~
* All Softalk Basic features
* 500 outgoing and incoming calls in the U.S. & Canada
* Features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and caller ID
* Phone number in any area code within the U.S.
* Enhanced 911 support

More Info ~ Packet8 VideoPhone

Whichever plan you choose from Packet8, these features are included:
* voicemail
* call waiting
* caller ID
* three-way calling
* call forwarding
* choice of area codes within the coverage area
* local number portability (transfers your current number to Packet8)
* virtual number (a second number in another area code)

All plans are month to month, with no contract, and all include an activation fee or a charge for hardware. Packet8 includes a 30-day money-back guarantee for all of its plans.

Packet8 For Business There are currently two business plans offered;
* Business 2000 plan, perfect for small or home offices, with 2,000 minutes per month.
* Virtual Office plan, for small and medium sized business. This is actually a hosted PBX service that will allow you to keep all your employees connected world-wide. Besides other features Packet8 Virtual office includes a unique DID telephone number for all staff irrespective of their location. You get unlimited minutes within the US and Canada with Virtual Office, as well as advanced voicemail, three-way conferencing, extension-to-extension dialing, and an auto-attendant. Each extension can even have a different area code if you want.

Packet8 Service and Support The Packet8 website offers an impressive selection of FAQs and help pages, covering topics from the virtual-office components to basic operating instructions, troubleshooting tips, install steps, and feature details.

If the website doesn't help, tech support is also available by phone or email. We called (anonymously) and asked about install, hardware and the website, and each time the call was handled quickly and professionally.

You control your account through the website user interface. Everything is there: change personal information, upgrades, view call activity and past bills, forward your calls, set call blocking, change your voicemail settings, etc. You can also change settings with the phone, but the website is easier.

Downsides: Other than the call degradation during heavy web use, (Uploading a video file) there was nothing to complain about. Like other VoIP providers, a power loss can cause problems if your broadband connection is depending on the local power supply to stay in operation.

To learn more, and see their current promotions, visit their website - Packet8

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