compare italk bb with packet8 on termination policy

I was a little upset when I discovered the possible termination charges in i Talk BB's terms and conditions, and decided to take a look at other VoIP providers. I picked Packet8 since SunRocket had used its dying breath to promote Packet8 (those former SunRocket users would have received a last email from SunRocket suggesting Packet 8 as an alternative...).

Packet8 is the voip service offered by a 20 year old telecommunication company - 8x8 Inc., which is the patents holder of many multimedia and VoIP technology. As iTalkBB's uniqueness lies in its dual number (US/Canada local + China local) service, packet8's strong sell point is its video phone service (with special device of course) in addition to regular VoIP.

Packet8's most popular plan are the $24.99/month, or $199/year plus taxes and fees (Unlimited in US/Canada), which corresponds to iTalkBB's $19.99/month (tax included) Residential Unlimited plan. Packet8's Freedom Unlimited Global plan ($29.99/month) is also much more expensive than iTalkBB's counterpart, Global Unlimited plan ($24.99/month, or $299/14-month).

Leaving price aside, what I want to check is the cancellation policy hidden in terms and conditions. Here's what I found.

* Early termination fee: $59.99 for regular voip phone and $199.99 for video-capable service phone if cancellation within 12 months of service (users joined at different promotion periods are subject to different disconnection fee, ranging from $99 to $299)

For packet8, there is no any equipment charge at the end of service term, however, the device need to be paid up-front at sign up time. One has to admit that packet8's videophone is quite cool in looking though.

So, after this comparison and find grass is not greener on the other side of the street, I feel less upset about the i Talk BB's termination charge. In general, I dislike this kind of sales practice, i.e., hiding all catches in lengthy terms and conditions, very much.