Packet8 MobileTalk Launches

November 19, 2007
8x8, provider of Packet8 broadband VoIP services, today announced the launch of Packet8 MobileTalk - a mobile calling service that utilizes a downloadable software application that can currently reside on any Windows, Palm or Symbian based mobile phone.

It connects the calls from the mobile phone to the Packet8 digital VoIP network to save on costs.

Packet8 MobileTalk users can dial calls directly and natively from their mobile handset, contact list or speed dial directory. Once the destination number is dialed or selected, the Packet8 MobileTalk software application identifies the international prefix being called and redirects the call to a local Packet8 network access number for terminating the last leg.

You might say Packet8 MobileTalk is similar to Truphone, except Truphone routes the call over the data connection, so the QoS is more affected. You might compare Packet8 MobileTalk with JAJAH, which offers the JAJAH Mobile Plugin, a softphone application that like MobileTalk works with Symbian phones. JAJAH Mobile Plugin, like Packet8 MobileTalk routes the call over the voice channel. However, JAJAH Mobile Plugin differs in that it only works with Symbian phones right now I believe and not Windows Mobile devices. Still, this is probably the closest comparison and it puts Packet8 in direct competition with JAJAH. Still... it's hard to compete with JAJAH's free global calling plan, but I give Packet8 credit for differentiating themselves.

Interestingly, with Packet8 MobileTalk, all calls are carried to the Packet8 network over the subscriber's existing cellular voice phone service. That is, you don't need a data plan as the voice is routed directly over the cellular voice channel to Packet8's servers. In this way, the call quality should be excellent.
 
Importantly, customers do not have to subscribe to other Packet8 VoIP or videophone services in order to sign up for Packet8 MobileTalk, though discounted service fees are offered to existing Packet8 VoIP or MobileTalk subscribers.  There is a one-time $9.99 activation fee for the service and a monthly fee of $9.99 for non-Packet 8 subscribers.  Existing Packet8 VoIP subscribers, including subscribers with one Packet8 MobileTalk account, pay a monthly service fee of $4.99.

Also, See Erik Linask's Greg Galitzine's interview with Packet8 CEO Brian Martin. Some useful insights there.

You can check out and download the Packet8 MobileTalk here: http://mobiletalk.packet8.net

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Comments to Packet8 MobileTalk Launches


  1. James Body :
    November 20, 2007 10:24 PM

    Interestingly, with Packet8 MobileTalk, all calls are carried to the Packet8 network over the subscriber's existing cellular voice phone service. That is, you don't need a data plan as the voice is routed directly over the cellular voice channel to Packet8's servers. In this way, the call quality should be excellent.

    What a load of rubbish! In fact the quality of audio has more to do with the choice of codecs at each stage on the transmission rather than the bearer. Using a cellular channel for the handset to Packet8 link probably means that one of the GSM codecs will be used. If another (different) low bit rate codec is used within the Packet8 infrastructure (such as G.729) then the audio will suffer transcoding distortion.

    The only way to keep high voice qality is to select one codec and use it end-to-end (just as Truphone do)!


  1. Tom Keating[TypeKey Profile Page] :
    November 21, 2007 9:36 AM

    You are correct that transcoding across different codecs CAN be an issue. However, I have found that voice channels still have better QoS than data channels. As long as you have a strong cell signal, you won't lose any voice, but even with that same strong cell signal you can experience packet loss.

    That said, with a low-bandwidth codec and FEC (forward error correction) algorithms, it's possible for a true data, voice over IP connection to sound just as good or even better than a GSM voice channel. But it's a crap shoot as far as the quality you will get.


  1. Perry Nalevka :
    November 22, 2007 3:30 AM

    Thanks for the Great Feedback. Our company MobileMax is the technology behind MobileTalk.


  1. Markus Göbel[TypeKey Profile Page] :
    November 28, 2007 6:12 AM

    Packet8 MobileTalk could be done much better

    When Packet8 presented MobileTalk I was fascinated, but just for some seconds. Then I thought: What a lost opportunity! It could have been such a great application, if it 1.) hadn't such an expensive basic fee, 2.) wasn't bound to one particular VoIP provider and 3.) didn't work only in the US. READ MORE...


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