Tom's Networking, a network info site, recently issued a report comparing all the VoIP services and labeled 8x8 the best, saying "There's no doubt in my mind. Of the services I've used, Packet 8 is by far the best VoIP provider out there." The reported cited in particular the service's national availability as well as its videophone services. The company has a 50% subscriber growth rate. Packet 8 subscriptions are at 40,000 in the recently released third-quarter numbers vs. 26,000 in the second quarter. The company is well-capitalized. It has more than $30 million in cash, all raised by selling equity at prices above the current quote, and while the company has been losing money, much of that loss is in its older PBX service, which it has been phasing out. It has great distribution channels, strengthened by recent deals with CompUSA, Wal-Mart (WMT:NYSE - commentary - research) and Amazon.com (AMZN:Nasdaq - commentary - research). I spoke with Bryan Martin, the company's CEO, this morning. He says 8x8 is the only major player that owns its technology for many of its services, including the VoIP videophone service it offers. "Owning our own proprietary technologies makes it easier for us to quickly develop new features. We are also aiming into the small and medium business sector, which is concerned most of all with the advanced features we offer."