Voice over IP blog

EBay admits to overpaying for Skype

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...

Vonage to pay Sprint $69.5 million in damages

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...

How does the free Skype product work?

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.    

What operating systems will the Skype product work with?

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

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...

SunRocket’s demise, cautionary tale for VoIP users

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,...

Can I use my home security system with voip.com?

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...

What about monthly taxes with the voip.com $199/year plan?

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. 

Can I keep my current phone number with VoIP from Lingo?

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

Will voip.com let me keep my current home telephone number?

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...

Packet8 Virtual Office Ranked Most Popular SMB Hosted VoIP

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...

Vonage will continue to operate as usual during patent dispute

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...

SunRocket Breaks Through 200,000 Subscriber Milestone

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...

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

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...

Packet8 now offers international virtual numbers

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...

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

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...

SunRocket Teams with Hallmark Insights to Launch New Member Referral Program

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...

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

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...

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

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...

Vonage Comments on Verizon Patent Litigation

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...