8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGHT), provider of Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications services, today announced that it has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 7,092,379 for technology used in routing telephony signals over the Internet and standard switched telephone communications networks.
Claim 1, the first of twenty-nine (29) allowed claims, of the patent entitled "Internet Telephony Arrangement and Method," reads:
1. An arrangement for providing telephonic communication which may be
selectively transmitted via the Internet using standard Internet
protocols, comprising: a telephone; and an interface unit coupled to
the telephone and configured and arranged to receive audio information
designating a telephonic communication addressee from the telephone,
the interface unit including a first output port configured to be
coupled to a standard switched telephone communications network, a
second output port configured to be coupled to an Internet
communications network, and a processing unit configured and arranged
to analyze the audio information as a function of Internet protocol
connectivity status of the telephonic communication addressee and, in
response to the analysis, to determine whether the audio information
received from the telephone is to be coupled to the first output port
to establish a standard telephonic communication using the standard
switched telephone communications network, or if the audio information
is to be processed in accordance with the standard Internet transfer
protocols and coupled to the second output port to establish an
Internet communication using the Internet communications network to
communicate the processed audio information in accordance with the
standard Internet transfer protocols.
"This is the second fundamental VoIP technology patent 8x8 has received this summer, reflective of the pioneering research and development advances 8x8 has produced dating back to the early days of VoIP," stated Bryan R. Martin, 8x8's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "8x8 has been inventing VoIP-specific technologies since before 1998 and communications technologies, in general, since 1990. 8x8 continues to pursue VoIP-related technological advances and new inventions today as embodied by the services offered under our Packet8 voice and video communications service brand," concluded Mr. Martin.
Since its establishment in 1987, 8x8 has been awarded sixty-two (62) United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications technologies.
About 8x8, Inc.
VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service provider 8x8, 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 $19.99 per month for unlimited anytime calling to the U.S. and Canada, 8x8 offers the Packet8 DV 326 VideoPhone, the industry's first stand alone broadband consumer videophone, and accompanying monthly service plans also priced at $19.99 per month. Packet8 Virtual Office, 8x8's small business phone solution, is a VoIP-hosted PBX service comprised of powerful business class features. Companies subscribing to Virtual Office pay just $39.99 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), 8x8's PC-based soft phone client, offers high quality voice and video in- network calling for no charge as well as PSTN calling capability and other Packet8 features for as low as $5.99 per month. For additional company information, visit 8x8's web site at http://www.8x8.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 8x8'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 8x8, Inc. are included in 8x8, 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. 8x8 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: 8x8, the 8x8 logo, Packet8, the Packet8 logo, Packet8 Softalk and Packet8 Virtual Office are trademarks of 8x8, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.