Packet8 is one of the most recognized and reputed VoIP telephone service provider. The array of services offered by them with the out of the ordinary Video Phone service definitely gives them a firm foothold in the VoIP market. Excellent voice quality and reliability supported by good customer care has contributed towards the growth of their business.
Packet8 packages start at as low as $19.95/month for which they offer unlimited calling to U.S. and Canada and the costliest being the Freedom Unlimited Global plan for $49.95.
Features:
Packet8 offers almost all the features that any VoIP provider can offer for free, complimented by a host of other features that are to be subscribed to for a small fee.
Besides the basic features like call forwarding, voicemail, Caller ID with name etc Packet8 also offers the special features in lieu of a minimal charges.
Video Phone:
Packet8 offers Video Calling through its Video Phone service, which can be an ideal way to connect more closely to your relatives and friends leaving across continents. The Packet8 Video Phone delivers high-quality, full-motion video and clear, delay-free audio over any broadband (high-speed Cable or DSL) Internet connection. Packet8 is currently offering a limited time offer of $149.99 per phone with a two-year service contract for $19.95/month.
Virtual Office:
Packet8 Virtual Office system offers unique flexibility to small and medium sized business. This is actually a hosted PBX service that allows an organization to keep all its employees connected all through out the globe. Besides other features Packet8 Virtual office includes a unique DID telephone number for all staff irrespective of their location.
Virtual Phone Number:
A Virtual Phone Number is a second number that when called rings to a primary Packet8 line. Virtual Phone Numbers can be from most area codes in the U.S., thereby providing enormous savings to people calling you from that selected area code as they can reach you with a simple local call rather than making a long distance call. A virtual phone number allows the customers to receive calls from people outside their local calling area with the caller paying only for a local call. A virtual phone number with Packet 8 would cost $9.95 for activation and a monthly fee of $4.95.
E911 Service:
Packet8 was the first major broadband phone service provider to introduce E911 service. Packet8's E911 service, developed in partnership with Level3 Communications, automatically routes emergency calls while the computer screen pops up the caller information, to dispatch operators at local PSAPs (Public service Answering Points).
Though E911 is currently paid service for Packet8 subscribers, to comply with the recent FCC mandate, they are in process of offering the same service as a part of their standard package.
Toll Free Plus:
Packet8 offers toll-free number service in conjunction with their unlimited calling plans that provide the callers the ability to call the packet8subscriber for no charge regardless of their location inside the US or the subscribers location worldwide. They charge $9.95 for activation and a fixed $4.95/month for 100 minutes of incoming call. Any incoming calls over that are billed at 4.5cents/minute.
411 Directory Service:
Packet8 offers its customers to connect to the National Directory Assistance and Reverse Directory Assistance public operator by calling 411. All 411 calls are billed at $0.75/call.A customer can connect to both the local and the national directory assistance operators by calling 411.
General Features:
Other than the above-mentioned paid features Packet8 also offers a host of features as a part of their standard packages. This list of features would include, Personalized Voicemail, Three-way calling, Call Forwarding, Call waiting, Caller id, Call return, Distinctive Ringing for Virtual Numbers and many more.
Plans Offered:
Packet8 segregates the plans offered as Residential Plans, Business Plans and International Plans. While the lowest plan is priced at $19.95, the highest plan goes up to $49.95 per month.
Residential Plans
a) Freedom International: This plan offers 1000 minutes of PSTN calling and unlimited minutes for calling to other packet 8 subscribers. For people who live outside the U.S., the Freedom International plan allows them to have a U.S. phone number and make up 1000 minutes of calling to U.S. and Canadian phone numbers for just $19.95 (US) per month.
b) Freedom Unlimited: Freedom Unlimited plan offers unlimited local and long distance calling to PSTN as well as other Packet8 subscribers for $19.95/month.
c) Freedom Unlimited Video Phone: Residential subscribers can also subscribe to this plan and use the Packet8 Video phone to converse and view there near and dear ones. This plan offers unlimited minutes for $19.95. The video Phone would cost $99. This plan has a 2 years contract and early termination would entail a termination fee of $299.
Business Plans
• Virtual Office: This is a hosted Internet PBX solution comprised of powerful business class features that come with a superior business-quality phone with feature rich controls and unlimited calling plans to the United States and Canada. This plan also includes a customizable auto-attendant, 3-digit extension-to-extension dialing, 3-way conferencing, conference bridge, multiple call handling, business-class voicemail, hunt groups etc. This plan comes for $39.95 for unlimited calling.
This is also available in a metered extension option for $19.95 where the customers are offered 250 PSTN minutes and unlimited Packet8 minutes. All cals beyond 250 minutes are billed at 3.9 cents per minute.
• Virtual Attendant: Virtual Attendant is actually an automated call routing solution that allows businesses to connect wired, mobile, home phones and other Virtual Office extensions, regardless of geographic location, under a single primary phone number. This can be used along with the Virtual Office package or as a stand-alone solution. The system is made to greet all inbound calls promptly and professionally by an automated attendant that forwards the caller to the designated numbers.
• Business 2000: This is a simple VOIP telephone service that includes a single DID (direct inbound dial) line with all basic business features such as voicemail, 3 way calling, call forwarding, caller ID and Call waiting. This plan offers 2000 PSTN minutes and unlimited calling to Packet 8 subscribers. Any additional PSTN calls beyond 2000 minutes will be billed at 3.5cents/minute.
International Plans
• Freedom International: This plan allows the customers to make 1000 minutes of PSTN calls and unlimited calls to Packet8 subscribers. For consumers who live outside the U.S., the Freedom International plan allows you to have a U.S. phone number and make up to 1000 minutes of calling to U.S. and Canadian phone numbers for just $19.95 (US) per month.
• Freedom Unlimited Global: This plan allows unlimited calling to US, Canada and several other countries (non-mobile and non-premium) in Asia, Europe, Latin America and Israel. However, calls made to any other country that are not included in the free calling list will be charged at the stipulated international rates.
Customer Service:
There is mixed feedback about Packet8 customer service. While there are many complains for unavailability of adequate and efficient customer service there are also people who are happy with the service they have got. A frequent complain about Packet8 service is the delay and mess-ups with local number porting. Though they have a toll free number for support within USA, subscribers outside USA needs to call a regular US phone number for support. Packet8 customer support is available from 5.00am to 7.00pm PDT Monday through Saturday and technical support is available from 5.00am to 9.00pm PDT Monday to Saturday. They have a separate number for Virtual Office technical support that has the same timing as the regular one. Also, customer support is available through emails.
Other Details:
Packet8 offers a whole house VOIP solution with Uniden UIP1868P. This is a 2-in1 IP phone with built in router. This easy to install phone comes with one handset and the subscribers are free to buy more phone sets and connect to the main line. The standard Uniden phone is currently being offered at a discounted price of $49 for a 1 year service agreement. This is available with the standard packages. In case there is a cancellation before the termination of the service period they would charge a cancellation fee of $99.
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