8x8 Licenses CounterPath's eyeBeam to Develop a VoIP and Video Softphone for the Packet8 Broadband Phone Service
19 September 2005 - 11:15PM
PR Newswire (US)
BOSTON, FALL 2005 VON, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 8x8, Inc.
(NASDAQ:EGHT), the Packet8 broadband VoIP (Voice over Internet
Protocol) and videophone communications service provider and
CounterPath Solutions, Inc., formerly Xten Networks, Inc.,
(OTC:CTPS) (BULLETIN BOARD: CTPS) , a provider of VoIP (Voice over
Internet Protocol), Video over IP, Instant Messaging (IM), and
Presence-enabled SIP softphones, announced today that 8x8 has
entered into a software licensing agreement with CounterPath. Under
the terms of the agreement, 8x8 has licensed CounterPath's eyeBeam
software to develop a co-branded video-enabled softphone
application for integration and deployment with the Packet8
Broadband Phone Service. "8x8 selected CounterPath as a softphone
partner due to its expertise in multimedia IP capabilities," said
Christopher Peters, 8x8's Vice President of Strategic Alliances.
"Our plan is to leverage interoperability with our installed base
of Packet8 standalone videophones to increase the use of video
communications for both residential and business applications," Mr.
Peters concluded. "We are very excited that another leading Voice
over IP provider has chosen CounterPath for their softphone
requirements. 8x8 is a well respected provider of voice and video
over IP services, particularly with respect to their quality and
ease of use for mass consumers," stated Mark Bruk, Chairman and CEO
of CounterPath. "This licensing agreement continues to validate our
strategy of working with leading, high quality service providers in
developing solutions for their customers. We are looking forward to
working together to enhance 8x8's voice and video service offerings
with our high quality, rich, robust applications." CounterPath's
softphones for Windows, MAC OS X, Pocket PC and now Linux are
software applications, which run on devices such as personal
computers (PCs) or personal digital assistants (PDAs) or can be
integrated into set-top boxes, embedded devices, instant messenger
applications and alike. When a CounterPath softphone is connected
to a service provider's network, the user can make and receive
calls to and from other "on-net" callers (IP-to-IP) and/or
"off-net" callers (IP-to-PSTN/Cellular) with the same quality of
service they would expect from an IP handset. However, at a
fraction of the cost, while providing more features and
functionality than an IP handset. 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 $19.95 per month for unlimited anytime
calling to the U.S. and Canada, 8x8 now offers the $99 Packet8
VideoPhone, the industry's first stand alone broadband consumer
videophone with worldwide video calling for $19.95 per month.
Packet8 Virtual Office, 8x8's VoIP solution for small to medium
sized businesses, is a hosted PBX service comprised of powerful
business class features. For additional company information, visit
8x8's website at http://www.8x8.com/. About CounterPath Solutions,
Inc. CounterPath, formerly Xten Networks, Inc., is a developer of
award- winning, high-quality, carrier-grade VoIP (Voice over IP)
and Video over IP SIP softphones for service providers, cable
operators, Internet telephony service providers, IP PBX
manufacturers and OEMs. CounterPath's SIP softphones are available
either pre-configured or as a software development kit (SDK), and
provide VoIP (Voice over IP), Video over IP, IM (Instant
Messaging), and Presence functionality. eyeBeam -- CounterPath's
feature-rich SIP Video over IP softphone with IM and Presence --
recently received both Communications Solutions(R) Magazine's and
INTERNET TELEPHONY(R) Magazine's "Product of the Year" Award for
2004. Through deployments with leading service providers,
CounterPath technology is deployed in more than 5,400,000 IP
endpoints worldwide. For more information please visit
http://www.counterpath.com/. See us at Fall Von Booth 1009
DATASOURCE: 8x8, Inc. CONTACT: Joan Citelli of 8x8, Inc.,
+1-408-687-4320, or ; or investors, Todd Thorner, 866-869-8072, or
, or press, Tiffany Zinck, +1-604-320-3344, ext. 208, or , both of
CounterPath Web site: http://www.counterpath.com/ Web site:
http://www.8x8.com/
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