News

DSG international plc Launches Packet8-Based 'freetalk' VoIP Phone Service in the UK (4/10/2005)

European Retail Giant Will Merchandise 'freetalk' Offering at Over 1,000 Dixons, PC World, Currys, and The Link Stores in the UK

8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ:EGHT) , the Packet8 broadband voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, today announced the UK launch of an Internet phone service through a private label agreement with Springvox and its "freetalk" partnership with DSG international plc, Europe's leading consumer electronics retailer.

Marketed under the exclusive "freetalk" brand name (www.freetalk.co.uk), the residential VoIP service offering, customized by Springvox for the UK market, will be available from Thursday, September 29th, at DSG international plc retail locations throughout the UK including Dixons, PC World, Currys and The Link.

The "freetalk" UK launch represents 8x8's first focused presence outside of the United States, complete with a European data center, European carrier relationships and a European operations team.

"It is very exciting to see this offering come to fruition after months of development," said 8x8 Chairman and CEO Bryan Martin. "Both Springvox and DSG international plc have been phenomenal partners throughout the entire process and we are happy to be working together to provide UK residents with this state of the art internet phone service."

The "freetalk" VoIP phone service enables UK residents to make unlimited calls to UK landlines, discounted calls to UK mobile phones and very low cost calls to international numbers, saving substantially over the rates offered by other telephone service providers in the UK. For 79.99 pounds Sterling the first year or 6.99 pounds per month (and 19.99 pounds for the equipment), customers have access to free unlimited UK local and national calls. After the first year, customers will be charged a low 6.99 pounds per month, which will cover unlimited UK landline calls.

"We're delighted to be the first retailer in the UK to offer customers next generation telephone services at the lowest price on the market," said Simon Turner, divisional managing director of DSG international plc. "This is the most significant development in the telephone market since the launch of the mobile phone and will transform the way we use phones. The days of old-style fixed-line phone calls are numbered."

Commenting on recent developments in the telephone market, Simon Turner said: "Voice over IP, the enabling technology, has been talked about for several years and many technology companies have recently announced their intention to launch services. The difference with our announcement is that we are making it an immediate, affordable and convenient reality through our 1,000 UK stores -- and we're leading the market on price. It's yet another example of our ability to make the latest technology and services a reality for millions of UK customers."

www.8x8.com