Communications Briefs

Las Vegas — Panasonic said it would ship five new 2.4GHz digital frequency-hopping spread spectrum phones in 2007. The top-of-the-line KX-TG3034B ($89.95) will bundle four handsets and features an ITAD, caller ID, handset speakerphone and a light-up handset indicator. The same features will be available in a three-handset SKU (the KX-TG3033S for $69.95), a two-handset configuration (KX-TG3032B for $49.95) and in a single-handset SKU (KX-TG3031S for $39.95). The KX-TG3021S loses the ITAD and will ship with a single handset for a suggested $29.95. The system works with the KX-TGA300B accessory handset, which will retail for a suggested $29.95.

Santa Clara, Calif. — VoIP provider 8x8 sent a notice to subscribers that rate plans for most of its residential calling services would increase by $2. The Packet8 Freedom Unlimited plan rises, from $19.99 a month, to $21.99 a month, as does the Unlimited Videophone plan. The company's Business 2000 plan will increase, from $34.99 a month, to $36.99 a month, while the company's PC-based Softalk premium service sees the largest increase, from $5.99, to $9.99, a month. The company's annual plan is unchanged at $199. In the letter to subscribers, the company said that rates had not been raised since 2003.