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 Review by Brian Grif_n 
UPDATED: 363 days ago
member for 7.7 years, 1402 visits, last login: 23 days ago
 Reno,Washoe,NV
 $24 per month
 about 5 days
 "Easy installation, reliable"
 "Prices were raised several times without adding promised features"
 "There are better alternatives"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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SEVERAL UPDATES NOTED BELOW:
AUGUST 2004: As I write this, I've had Packet8 for 8 days... After doing much research on BBR and reading other reviews I decided upon Packet8 - mainly on price and honesty about LNP. My other consideration was Lingo, but they implied to be able to port any number - but failed on their promises for another person on the forums who lives in my area. For that reason I called Packet8 beforehand, and they were honest about the chance of not being able to port my number. I just found out today via a "canned" e-mail response that they were unable to port my number - this was only 4 days after faxing my LNP request to them. I intend to follow up with them to see where the hang-up might have been - or if they just didn't try very hard.
Pre-Sales Support... I first called for pre-sales information about LNP and being able to get a local number at about 7:30am PDT. My call was answered within a few minutes by their answering service. The guy seemed knowlegable about Packet8, but could not answer my specific question. He took my name, number and e-mail address. Within 24 hours I received an e-mail with an answer to my question, showing that rate centers were available in my area. A follow-up question took a few days to answer. In the mean time I had called during normal business hours and my call was answered quickly, and my question was answered promptly.
Equipment arrival... I ordered the $70 DTA from CompUSA's website, which was offering a $60 rebate and 2 months free service. I received it in 3 business days since I asked for 2-day shipping. I read the flyer on equipment set-up and was instantly puzzled by a blinking red power light. The only thing documented in the instructions or the website was a solid light, on or off. I called tech support, and within a few minutes I was talking to a very helpful and knowlegable tech who told me the DTA was trying to obtain an IP address from my router. Since I don't use DHCP and I assign static IP's in my network, he was helpful in walking me through setting up DHCP temporarily so the DTA could get an IP, then assign a static IP to the UP, then switch DHCP back off agian.
After that I upgraded the firmware, which was very easy due to good instructions on their website. Activating the DTA and getting my phone number was easy.
Call quality has been very good, reliable and fairly consistent. The only issue was a single call my wife had to her grandmother where she said she heard her voice echo throughout the call. This was on the second day of service, but it's been fine ever since. Voice quality is not as good as POTS, but pretty close. Nothing to complain about for the price.
I've got SBC DSL with actual throughput at about 2500/350. I've got the DTA hooked up to one of the ports in my Linksys BEFSR41 router(f/w 1.39). No issues whatsoever being behind NAT, I don't even have to open any ports. I've been in a call and run speed tests and downloaded 8 simultaneous music files, and the voice quality hasn't been affected whatsoever.
After 8 days... very pleased.
UPDATE 2/24/06: After 18 months with Packet 8, I canceled and went to a provider with more features at a better price (SunRocket)...
From day one I was hoping Packet 8 would get numbers in my area code. Never happened. Many e-mails to support and sales went unanswered.
From day one Packet 8 kept advertising more features "coming soon". Finally about a month ago they introduced a few more features. Unfortunately I was already on a trial of SunRocket at the time.
The main reason I cancelled was due to multiple price increases without additional features. As soon as I got a postcard in the mail from a competitor that offered more features for less money and 2 phone numbers available in my area code - it was time to give the competitor a shot. After a month with the competitor (SunRocket), Packet 8 lost my business.
UPDATE 7/19/07: After SunRocket suddenly went out-of-business, I decided to switch back to Packet8. They may be a little more expensive but at least they were reliable in the time that I had them before.
So far my initial order information wasn't processed correctly since the rep didn't enter my correct e-mail address. He also entered my shipping address as my billing PO Box - which will get rejected by FedEx. However 2 other calls to CS were helpful and hopefully my ATA will be on it's way soon.
If all goes smoothly, before my 30-day trial is up I plan on switching to their $199 annual plan
UPDATE 8/16/2007: My second-time-around experience can be found in various posts in this thread »Porting # from SR to Packet8
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