Packet & Bell South Official Details

I’m running to a meeting, but I guess my post and some news over at LightReading seemed to pry Packet8’s news out earlier than they all wanted it out.

Here’s the main parts of the release that they are moving today, likly after market closing that came right from the Chairman himself. I consider this a huge win on face, but it’s not only about selling in, it’s about selling through. How P8 does that with BellSouth will determine how successful te program is for them. Still they get the nod for winning, and besting Vonage and others.

BellSouth Teams With 8×8, Inc. To Deliver VoIP Phone Service to Residential Customers

BellSouth® Digital Phone Service delivers easy-to-use broadband telephone service

ATLANTA – Dec. 9, 2005 – BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) and 8×8, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGHT), the Packet8 voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, today announced the signing of a private label  agreement to provide technology,  integration and operational services for BellSouth® Digital Phone Service.   

“With the introduction of BellSouth® Digital Phone Service, we are broadening our portfolio of consumer services,” said Martin Chandler, Vice President – Product Management for BellSouth. “This new service is another example of our commitment to providing customers with the greatest choice when it comes to their communications and entertainment services.”

BellSouth’s agreement with 8×8 calls for the development of BellSouth® Digital Phone Service based on 8×8’s internally developed technology. This includes a suite of VoIP service components including a call switching platform, feature servers, customer portals and consumer premise equipment. 

“BellSouth’s selection of 8×8 as its VoIP partner is a tremendous credit to the  technology and service expertise which has made 8×8 one of the industry’s leading VoIP service providers,” said 8×8 Chairman & CEO Bryan Martin.  “Our extensive residential, business and video technology portfolio was a key component to our winning BellSouth’s business. We look forward to working closely with BellSouth to offer their customers an enhanced, robust Internet phone service alternative.”