Packet 8 Review
Packet8 is one of the most well-known VoIP providers in the market. It is a public company and of the first VoIP businesses to start making profits. It boasts competitive pricing and a host of features. But it is the video phone service that truly makes it stand out.
Buying and Setting Up
Packet8 comes with a Uniden UIP1868P two-in-one phone cum adapter. One handset comes with the subscription at $49 for a one year term and users have the choice of buying additional handsets to use in conjunction with the main line. However there is a cancellation fee of $99 if the service is terminated prior to completion of the one year stipulated period. The adapter itself is a simple plug and play device.
Product Features
Video Phone Service
Great video calling option at $149.99 per phone with a lock in two year subscription period. Per month rates at $19.95 per month.
Virtual Office Facility
Connects employees around the globe through a hosted PBX service at great value for money rates.
Virtual Phone Number
This is rather expensive at $9.95 for initial activation an $ 4.95 monthly charges thereafter.
Toll Free Number
Also $9.95 for activation. $4.95 per month for 100 toll free call minutes thereafter. Extra minutes charged at 4.5 cents per minute.
911 Dialing
Charged service in partnership with Level3 Communications that routs calls to a local PSAP using registered information.
411 Dialing
Users can access National Directory Assistance at a charged rate of $0.75 per call.
Number Porting
Packet8 replaces users’ old numbers with a local number in all but four US states.
Other General Features
Packet8 also offers the following features:
- Caller Number and Name Identification
- Call Waiting
- Call Forwarding
- Conference Calling
- Voicemail (By Email as audio attachment)
- Virtual Auto Attendant
Call Quality
Packet8 normally offers great sound quality. The quality reduces however when the internet is used simultaneously for heavy downloading or uploading. The service is largely reliable with not too many dropped calls background static.
Call Plans
Their lowest plans are aggressively priced but other plans are comparitively more expensive than many providers.
Freedom International Residential Plan:1000 minutes of PSTN calling with calls to other Packet8 users at zero cost.
Freedom Unlimited Residential Plan:Unlimited calls within the US at $19.95 per month.
Freedom Unlimited Video Phone Plan: Unlimited calling at $19.95 per month. Phone costs $99 with a two year subscription term. Premature cancellation entails a $299 penalty.
Virtual Office Plan:Ideal for business of all sizes, this service allows unlimited calling at $39.95 per month.
Business 2000 Plan:2000 allotted minutes with extra minutes charged at 3.5cents/minute.
Freedom International Plan:1000 minutes at $19.95 per month.
Freedom Unlimited Global Plan:Unlimited calling to landlines in USA, Canada and certain countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America and Israel. Calls to non-mentioned countries are charged as per published rates.
Customer Service
Packet8 has received mixed feedback on their customer service – some good and some bad. There is a toll-free service number for users in the USA open Monday to Saturday. Non-US users need to pay USA long distance rates to reach customer care. There is also the cheaper option of email query resolution. Packet8 offers a transparent 30 day or 300 minutes free trial period which is a good way to try out the service before investing in it.
Given its large customer base, Packet8 is worth a try. But there are far cheaper options that offer more features for the value-for-money seeking consumer.
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