Eight by Eight up close to 35% today with the news. I have seen their system at Fry's Electronics. Here's the link for BC Tel regarding the video phone:
bctel.com
Tuesday October 21 8:03 AM EDT
Company Press Release
8x8's ViaTV Phone to be Distributed by BC TEL in British
Columbia, Canada
BURNABY, B.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 21, 1997--
Affinity VideoPhone Service Being Offered With No Down Payment
8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ:EGHT) - a leading supplier of video conferencing technology and systems - announced today that the Canadian telecommunications company BC TEL is using 8x8's ViaTV Videophone as the basis for its new Affinity VideoPhone Service. BC TEL's new service allows consumers to enjoy the benefits of video calling for about C$30 a month, with no down payment, based upon a two year contract.
With the Affinity VideoPhone Service plan, customers pay no more for video calls than they do for normal local or long distance calls. In addition, for a limited time, subscribers to the Affinity VideoPhone Service will receive up to three hours of free long distance calls.
''The ViaTV Videophone is a landmark product. It is the first videophone to deliver quality video over standard telephone lines, yet it is very affordable,'' said Shahid Hussain, director of business development for BC TEL. ''By letting our customers see as well as hear their friends and families, ViaTV is helping to add value to our local and long distance services. It's the next logical step in telecommunications.''
BC TEL customers can sign up for the Affinity VideoPhone service and pick up their ViaTV Videophones at one of six BC TEL PhoneMart Stores in British Columbia. Because the ViaTV Videophone is as easy to
install as a regular touch-tone phone and requires no special telephone lines, a service call is not required. With the Affinity VideoPhone Service, customers can make their first video call within minutes of picking up their ViaTV Videophone.
''BC TEL is the first telecommunications company to offer a videophone plan that is so affordable,'' said Michael Noonen, 8x8's vice president of business development. ''By letting their customers use a ViaTV Videophone for a small monthly fee, they are opening the world of visual communication for the average consumer. And with families scattered around the world these days, what service could be more valuable?''
The ViaTV Videophone Family
8x8 offers a growing line of consumer videophones under the ViaTV brand. ViaTV Videophones allow consumers to make full-color motion video calls over standard telephone lines, making ViaTV the first truly functional and practical consumer videophone. With ViaTV, making a video call is as simple as making any phone call. Every call starts as a normal audio call, and when the calling parties are ready, either of them can start video with just two key strokes on the touch-tone phone connected to the unit. A video call costs no more than any local or long distance telephone call, and there are no monthly service or subscription fees. The ViaTV Phone is works with other videophones, including PC-based ones, that utilize the H.324 ITU
recommendations.
All ViaTV Videophones have a wide range of features, including electronic pan, tilt and zoom, snapshot, self view, auto answer, and caller ID. Auto answer, in particular, allows the ViaTV to be used as a security or baby monitor, allowing consumers to check on their valuables or children from miles away with a simple telephone call.
Because it is designed for use with common consumer electronics devices -- a TV and a touch-tone phone -- the ViaTV Phone is very easy to setup and use. Setup consists of only three connections: one antenna wire to the TV, two telephone wires (one to the wall jack and one to the telephone) and power. The user interface consists of easy to follow on-screen menus and the touch-tone keypad, which is used to select options from the menus.
About 8x8
8x8, Inc. is a manufacturer of video conferencing systems, semiconductors and software. 8x8 is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. For more information on ordering a ViaTV, call 8x8 toll free at 1-888-VIEW-8X8 or visit 8x8's Web site at www.8x8.com .
About BC TEL
BC TEL is the second largest telecommunications company in Canada, providing a wide range of communication products and services to residential and business customers throughout British Columbia.
The company's web site address is www.bctel.com .
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Note to Editors:
8x8, the 8x8 logo and ViaTV are trademarks of 8x8, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
8x8, Inc.
Scott St. Clair, 408/727-1885
email: scottsc@8x8.com
or
Technology Solutions Inc.
Donna Austi, 212/320-2288
email: dausti@tsipr.com
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