8×8 Awarded Additional Voice over IP (VoIP) Patent
May 17th, 2007 - Posted in VoIP8×8, Inc. , provider of Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications services, today announced that it has been awarded an additional VoIP U.S. Patent (No. 7,218,721) for a communication routing system utilizing a broadband data network. The patent issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 15, 2007.
Claim 1, the first of sixteen (16) allowed claims, of the patent entitled “Virtual Telephone Extension,” reads:
1. A communication routing system having a plurality of local and remote communication devices communicatively coupled through local and remote PSTNs, respectively, the system comprising: a user-programmable database associating each of a plurality of user identifiers with a device identifier, each device identifier corresponding to one of the communication devices; a call-routing switch arrangement coupled to one of the PSTNs through a portal communication device having a portal identifier and responsive to a received call designating a destination user identifier, the call routing switch arrangement adapted to use the user-programmable database to route the received call via the other of the PSTNs to a destination communication device.
Example embodiments of the invention include routing non-local calls through a broadband data network and utilizing a broadband data network to provide telephony services, including programmed and default call routing to a user’s virtual extension, voice mail, or e-mail resources.
Since its establishment in 1987, 8×8 has been awarded sixty-eight (68) United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications technologies.
About 8×8, Inc.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service provider 8×8, Inc. offers Internet-based telephony solutions (http://www.packet8.net/) for individual residential and business users as well as small to medium sized business organizations. In addition to regular Packet8 VoIP service plans priced as low as $24.99 per month for unlimited anytime calling to the U.S. and Canada, 8×8 offers the Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter and DV 326 VideoPhone along with accompanying monthly service plans also priced at $24.99 per month. Packet8 Virtual Office, 8×8’s VoIP phone system for small to medium sized businesses, is a hosted PBX solution comprised of powerful business class features. Companies subscribing to Virtual Office pay just $49.99 per month per extension for enterprise class PBX functionality along with unlimited local and long distance calling in the U.S. and Canada. Packet8 Softalk(TM), 8×8’s PC-based soft phone client, offers high quality voice and video in-network calling as well as outbound calling to the PSTN. For additional company information, visit 8×8’s web site at http://www.8×8.com/.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, without limitation, statements relating to 8×8’s intellectual property. Investors are cautioned that these statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could be materially different from those discussed in this news release. Further information on factors that could affect the actual results of 8×8, Inc. are included in 8×8, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 8×8 does not assume any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release that become untrue because of subsequent events.
NOTE: 8×8, the 8×8 logo, Packet8, the Packet8 logo, Packet8 Softalk, Packet8 Tango and Packet8 Virtual Office are trademarks of 8×8, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
8×8, Inc.
CONTACT: media, Joan Citelli of 8×8, Inc., +1-408-687-4320,
JCitelli@8×8.com
Web site: http://www.8×8.com/