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Packet8-Enabled Uniden 5.8 Ghz Expandable Cordless Internet Phone System Now Available at Retail

Posted on: Friday, 22 July 2005, 09:01 CDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 8x8, Inc. , the Packet8 broadband voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, and Uniden America Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wireless consumer electronics, today announced the retail availability of the UIP1868P, a fully-integrated consumer VoIP phone system enabled with Packet8 Internet phone service.

Fry's Electronics, a national chain of 31 consumer-oriented electronics superstores, is the first brick and mortar retailer to stock the co-branded Packet8/Uniden offering. Beginning September 2005, the UIP 1868P will also be available at Office Max's nearly 1,000 superstores. The UIP1868P has been available online since July 1 at Costco.com, Amazon.com, and Packet8.net.

"We are proud to be the first to market with the industry's first all-in-one, expandable IP phone for consumers, said 8x8 Vice President of Marketing & Sales Huw Rees. "The Uniden/Packet8 cordless phone system offers a unique combination of advanced calling features, ease of use and tremendous functionality. We believe that the simplicity of this device will help motivate consumers who have been on the fence about using VoIP phone service to finally give it a try."

"Uniden and 8x8 are pleased to announce that these industry-leading retailers will now be delivering the UIP1868P to consumers," said Brett Morrison, national sales manager in charge of IP products and business communications at Uniden. "As consumers visit these retail outlets they will be able view the extended features of this product and, better understand the benefits of VoIP telephony."

Introduced in March 2005, the UIP1868P is a 5.8GHz digital expandable corded/cordless phone with built-in VoIP technology and full router functionality, eliminating the need for separate adapter and router devices. This all-in-one whole house phone system is expandable with up to ten cordless handsets, deploying VoIP capability to each handset using a single broadband Internet connection. Incorporating 8x8's patented Internet telephony software, the UIP1868P offers plug-and-play access to Packet8's feature-rich broadband telephone service.

The UIP1868P base station supports one telephone and one fax line and is compatible with four of Uniden's accessory cordless handsets, including the TCX805, TCX400, TCX440 and ELXT500, a flip-design phone. The unit also offers features such as call waiting, caller ID, handset speakerphone, four-way conferencing, DirectLink(TM) two-way radio capability and a do not disturb setting.

Packet8 residential broadband phone service offers unlimited local and long distance calling to the U.S. and Canada for $19.95 per month and includes calling features such as voicemail, local number portability (LNP), unlimited in-network calling, directory assistance ($.75 per call), call forwarding and call blocking.

The UIP1868P is available at retail for the manufacturer's suggested price of $199 with a Packet8 $60 mail-in rebate and one free month of service.

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 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 the availability of the Packet8-enabled Uniden cordless phone system. Investors are cautioned that these statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could be materially different from those discussed in this news release. These risks include the risk that the Packet8-enabled Uniden cordless phone system may not be available at retailers during the timeframes indicated or at all. 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, 2005, 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.

About Uniden

Uniden America Corporation, the North American subsidiary of Japan-based Uniden Corporation, manufactures and markets wireless consumer electronic products including cordless telephones, business telecommunications systems, Bearcat(R) scanners, FRS/GMRS radios, marine radios and other wireless personal communications products. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Uniden sells its products through dealers and distributors throughout North, Central and South America. For more information on Uniden's IP products, please contact Brett Morrison at bmorrison@uniden.com.

NOTE: 8x8, the 8x8 logo, Packet8, the Packet8 logo and Packet8 Virtual Office are trademarks of 8x8, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About 8x8, Inc.

CONTACT: Joan Citelli of 8x8, Inc., +1-408-687-4320, orJCitelli@8x8.com; or Amanda Shannahan of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide,+1-303-634-2680, or amanda.shannahan@ogilvypr.com, for Uniden America Corp.

Web site: http://www.8x8.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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