VOIP SunRocket Internet Phone Service $199 for 15months = $13.27/month

[laketrout]

What is a pick lock?

 

[kingFEMA]

ttown,
What is PM?

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: laketrout
What is a pick lock?

A pick-lock prevents your phone service carrier from being switched without your consent.
It used to be pretty frequent (it may still be) that a scum-bag long-distance carrier would just claim that you chose them and have your long-distance carrier changed to them.
It happened to me once. All of the sudden, my long distance carrier was something like "LLD Services". I noticed, and called my [then] phone company US West and they told me their records show that they ("LLD Services") said I gave the "OK" for a switch. I told them there was no way I did -- and they switched me back for free. I asked how they could just do that, and the customer-service person told me that unless I put a "pick-lock" on my account, ANYONE could change my long-distance ANYTIME they wanted (called "flipping", iirc).
How it's not a default "feature" is beyond me. I'm sure there are many thousands of people that don't notice when it changes, and they just pay the bill.

I had a pick-lock on my Qwurst account -- but had no trouble porting the number over to sunrocket.

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: kingFEMA
ttown,
What is PM?

lol... Private Message... look up in the upper-left corner of your browser for a message

 

[astrosfan90]

I just noticed that SunRocket's been given a gold rating at Broadband Reports. http://www.broadbandreports.com/reviews/2521

Anyone else see this? Looks like none of the other major VOIP companies have gold...Vonage has silver and some of the others bronze.

 

[georgepa]

Astrosfan-

There are actually 2 other providers with GOLD over there: Voicepulse and ATT Callvantage. All others are either too new to get consideration or are below the required satisfaction level.

 

[astrosfan90]

Originally posted by: georgepa
Astrosfan-

There are actually 2 other providers with GOLD over there: Voicepulse and ATT Callvantage. All others are either too new to get consideration or are below the required satisfaction level.

That's what I get for not going through all of them before posting!

All three have an almost identical % rating, though SunRocket has nearly double the number of reviews of the other two.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to testing out calls to/from Russia this week. My parents just moved out that way.

Anyone called Moscow with SR before?

 

[SleepWalkerX]

I read this thread up to page 15-16 and I have a few questions before signing up. Since they're still offering the two free phones deal, each phone uses a phone line right? And, IIRC, the gizmo has two phone line jacks + one extra one or something. So they're are only enough ports on the gizmo for both phones? Is there an easy way to keep the phones how they are now (the phones already inside the house) and somehow make the new ones connect to the gizmo?

oh and if you tell them to transfer over your old phone number to their service and then you cancel the service later, will the phone number connect to the original provider?

edit: edited for clarity

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: SleepWalkerX
I read this thread up to page 15-16 and I have a few questions before signing up. Since they're still offering the two free phones deal, each phone uses a phone line right? And, IIRC, the gizmo has two phone line jacks + one extra one or something. So they're are only enough ports on the gizmo for both phones? Is there an easy way to keep the phones how they are now and somehow make those connect to the gizmo?

oh and if you tell them to transfer over your old phone number to their service and then you cancel the service later, will the phone number connect to the original provider?

I'll try to answer your questions in order:
1) no, the two free phones are 1 cordless base station, and 2 hand-sets. 1 hand set goes into the base, the other handset/charger is place anywhere else (within wireless range of the base, and the base is plugged into the gizmo)
2) the second line port is not currently functional, but I have a strong hunch it will be sooner or later. The "two phone lines" idea is really currently on 1 "true" phone-line, with the signature-number being a virtual phone#, that rings into your phone. You can set distinctive-ring to the different numbers so you know which one people are calling you on. There's some "trickery" detailed within the last couple pages on how to use the call-manager to use the second "line" (signature number) for outbound caller-id purposes.
3) many people have been able to run a wire from the gizmo to a wall phone-socket, thus (possibly) enabling ALL your normal phone-jacks in your home. YMMV. Be absolutely sure your home wiring is completely physically disconnected to the normal phone system (not just a deactivated phone#) -- or you fry your gizmo. SR doesn't officially support the configuration -- obviously because a lot depends on the total phone-line length (total resistance) and the total number of phones plugged in. The gizmo probably couldn't "power" a mansion -- but probably could power a "normal" size house with a couple phones and wiring in good condition.
If you're just interested in continuing to use your existing phone, you could put a splitter on the gizmo and have the uniden base + your existing phone plugged into that. Then place the wireless base/handset where-ever.
4) i believe if you cancel SR after leaving your original carrier, it would up to you to re-activate your account at your old provider. I'd assume it would be just like being a new customer. I think the approach would be: call your original carrier and say you used to have an account, left, and now would like to come back -- keeping your old phone#.

edit, after ridefree's response below: If you're worried about it, you may want to order SR first -- see that it works for you -- and THEN port your number over. You'd have a little overlap on service (paying both SR and your current provider) -- but that might be worth the peace-of-mind. I'd personally go for it, and if the gizmo shows up and you can't get it working for some reason, cancel before your number port is complete. The number port/cancelling Qwurst took about 20 days for me, so I had ~20 days of overlap.

hth

 

[RideFree]

i believe if you cancel SR after leaving your original carrier, it would up to you to re-activate your account. I'd assume it would be just like being a new customer. I think the approach would be: call your original carrier and say you used to have an account, left, and now would like to come back -- keeping your old phone#.

Get ready to grab your ankles as your old carrier would charge you for a new installation, I'll bet.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Originally posted by: ttown

Originally posted by: SleepWalkerX
I read this thread up to page 15-16 and I have a few questions before signing up. Since they're still offering the two free phones deal, each phone uses a phone line right? And, IIRC, the gizmo has two phone line jacks + one extra one or something. So they're are only enough ports on the gizmo for both phones? Is there an easy way to keep the phones how they are now and somehow make those connect to the gizmo?

oh and if you tell them to transfer over your old phone number to their service and then you cancel the service later, will the phone number connect to the original provider?

I'll try to answer your questions in order:
1) no, the two free phones are 1 cordless base station, and 2 hand-sets. 1 hand set goes into the base, the other handset/charger is place anywhere else (within wireless range of the base, and the base is plugged into the gizmo)
2) the second line port is not currently functional, but I have a strong hunch it will be sooner or later. The "two phone lines" idea is really currently on 1 "true" phone-line, with the signature-number being a virtual phone#, that rings into your phone. You can set distinctive-ring to the different numbers so you know which one people are calling you on. There's some "trickery" detailed within the last couple pages on how to use the call-manager to use the second "line" (signature number) for outbound caller-id purposes.
3) many people have been able to run a wire from the gizmo to a wall phone-socket, thus (possibly) enabling ALL your normal phone-jacks in your home. YMMV. Be absolutely sure your home wiring is completely physically disconnected to the normal phone system (not just a deactivated phone#) -- or you fry your gizmo. SR doesn't officially support the configuration -- obviously because a lot depends on the total phone-line length (total resistance) and the total number of phones plugged in. The gizmo probably couldn't "power" a mansion -- but probably could power a "normal" size house with a couple phones and wiring in good condition.
If you're just interested in continuing to use your existing phone, you could put a splitter on the gizmo and have the uniden base + your existing phone plugged into that. Then place the wireless base/handset where-ever.
4) i believe if you cancel SR after leaving your original carrier, it would up to you to re-activate your account at your old provider. I'd assume it would be just like being a new customer. I think the approach would be: call your original carrier and say you used to have an account, left, and now would like to come back -- keeping your old phone#.

edit, after ridefree's response below: If you're worried about it, you may want to order SR first -- see that it works for you -- and THEN port your number over. You'd have a little overlap on service (paying both SR and your current provider) -- but that might be worth the peace-of-mind. I'd personally go for it, and if the gizmo shows up and you can't get it working for some reason, cancel before your number port is complete. The number port/cancelling Qwurst took about 20 days for me, so I had ~20 days of overlap.

hth

thank you for your reply!

with 3), I don't want to potentially fry my gizmo so i'll just not take the chance, lol. is there another way to get the other phones working with it? since i have one line, can't i technically unplug one phone cord in some kind of phone box in my house and just put the modem/router/gizmo in between it or something? i guess it would be too much work to get done.

its not like it greatly matters since I'll be able to use two phones anyway. my mom is still interested in the deal and we plan on ordering soon to see what happens. just a minor inconvenience really.

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: SleepWalkerX
...snip...

thank you for your reply!

with 3), I don't want to potentially fry my gizmo so i'll just not take the chance, lol. is there another way to get the other phones working with it? since i have one line, can't i technically unplug one phone cord in some kind of phone box in my house and just put the modem/router/gizmo in between it or something? i guess it would be too much work to get done.

its not like it greatly matters since I'll be able to use two phones anyway. my mom is still interested in the deal and we plan on ordering soon to see what happens. just a minor inconvenience really.

Regarding #3 -- yes, fnding the connection between the outside world (your phone company) and your house and disconnecting it is the way to do it. Once it's disconnected, all your other lines are *99% likely* wired in series -- allowing you to plug the gizmo into any wall-jack, enabling all other jacks in the wire connectivity to your gizmo. The biggest risk is forgetting about having the gizmo connected... and then connecting the phone companies line back into that box some day. Not certain if it carries a big enough voltage to damage the gizmo, but I'd bet that it does.

 

[georgepa]

If you don't want to go for "whole house wiring" your best bet is to use a splitter, put the SR base unit into one side and an already existing cordless phone in the other. The extra SR "satellite" unit can be moved anywhere in the house without the need of a phone cord attached anywhere. It communicates with the base station at the other end of the house. You may like those phones. If so, you can buy up to 2 more "satellite" handsets (at $30 each) to put someplace else in the house, again without the need for any type of phone plug (just electricity for the charger that comes with it.) The nice thing is that those 4 phones can communicate with each other as "walkie-talkies" (intercom) or you can use a room monitor function. If you change settings on the phone such as individual ring tones for incoming numbers or add people in your phone book you can teach the other phones the same settings as the one you made the changes on within seconds just by clicking a couple of buttons. If you like the service and it becomes a hit in your household you may find that others around you are interested. If you refer even one person to SR you get enough points for an extra handset.

Good luck.

PS: If you order from SR you may want to use someone's promotion code from here. It is true you can just click on the bird, but then a referral would go unused. Why not give it to someone here who was helpful to you? I am already "referred out" but someone else here would probably really appreciate the gesture.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Originally posted by: georgepa
If you don't want to go for "whole house wiring" your best bet is to use a splitter, put the SR base unit into one side and an already existing cordless phone in the other. The extra SR "satellite" unit can be moved anywhere in the house without the need of a phone cord attached anywhere. It communicates with the base station at the other end of the house. You may like those phones. If so, you can buy up to 2 more "satellite" handsets (at $30 each) to put someplace else in the house, again without the need for any type of phone plug (just electricity for the charger that comes with it.) The nice thing is that those 4 phones can communicate with each other as "walkie-talkies" (intercom) or you can use a room monitor function. If you change settings on the phone such as individual ring tones for incoming numbers or add people in your phone book you can teach the other phones the same settings as the one you made the changes on within seconds just by clicking a couple of buttons. If you like the service and it becomes a hit in your household you may find that others around you are interested. If you refer even one person to SR you get enough points for an extra handset.

Good luck.

PS: If you order from SR you may want to use someone's promotion code from here. It is true you can just click on the bird, but then a referral would go unused. Why not give it to someone here who was helpful to you? I am already "referred out" but someone else here would probably really appreciate the gesture.

thank you very much for the information!

i'm confused on how this referral system works. could you explain more?

 

[upss]

i'm confused on how this referral system works. could you explain more?

The referral code is simply another's users phone number and you would use it as your promotional code. You will get 2 Uniden phone system for free and the person that refers you will get one phone free. Check your private messages for more info.

 

[steverwrx]

I have been reading this forum for awhile. I will be ordering SR for my brand new home real soon. If anyone wants me to check my private messages for more info on a referal that would be cool.

 

[zainali]

anyone know how many subscribers does sunrocket have?

 

[georgepa]

Last time I checked with customer service SR was at 28,000. However, that was about 2 months ago. I would imagine they are very close to 40,000 by now. If you do the math, SR went nationwide at the very end of Dec. I got my "almost 30,000" number in the middle of June, less than 6 months into it. If you figure that they added a little over 5,000 customers per month during their first 6 months of existence, then they must be closing in on 40,000 by now, especially considering that they added many area codes and exchanges.

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: georgepa

PS: If you order from SR you may want to use someone's promotion code from here. It is true you can just click on the bird, but then a referral would go unused. Why not give it to someone here who was helpful to you? I am already "referred out" but someone else here would probably really appreciate the gesture.

Not me! I need two more.

Shameless, the guy is shameless.
(Anon E. Mouse)

 

[Macro2]

40,000 x 199 = 7.96 million dollars.

They should be able to hire a few technicians now.

 

[astrosfan90]

I think they're doin what they can to make sure the problems we saw earlier in the year don't happen again. At least for me I haven't had a single issue since they tripled their capacity.

 

[georgepa]

macro-

Not all customers are on the $199 plan. Many chose the $24.95/month plan (or with code $19.99 per month.) Not sure about the breakdown, but if you look at BBRs review section with almost 200 reviews the average price paid for SR is listed as $20.00 per month, suggesting that the ratio of yearly vs. monthly customers (both discounted $19.95 and full-priced $24.95 customers) is about 50-50.

 

[Daniel]

Originally posted by: georgepa
Daniel-

Right now number porting may be related to E-911 centers. You may not be in an area that can be served by E-911. I am not sure what the deal is, but I have had similar observations in the Tampa Bay area. My phone number ported fine, so did all the referral ones I tried until about a month ago. All of a sudden a customer who lives only 5 miles away from me was told he could not port his number "due to E-911 not being available." That customer had to send SR back, even though he really liked it. Another customer was told that it wasn't going to work, but she was ok with just using SR numbers. My last 2 referrals had no trouble with the port. No rhyme and reason unless there is something about how far E-911 centers are away from a particular address?

It may have been E-911 related, they didn't give me the whole explanation really. Like I said before, if there are external issues I can understand that. I don't understand taking over 6 months to figure that out though. Like I said before as well, if they kept in communication with me I would have totally been a lot more supportive. Outside of the one person who returned my emails and ultimately processed my credit, I never got a single return phone call or email from the weekly ones that I would log into their system over and over again. To me, and I'm sure most others, that is just unacceptable.

 

[georgepa]

Daniel-

Honestly, most people don't have your experiences at all. Maybe one call falls through the cracks. But if you call them again or email builditbetter@sr with an issue there is typically a follow up of some kind. I have received adequate support, maybe not exactly right away but within a few days. I have received call backs from SR for open tickets to make sure they were resolved. A "Lindsey" seems very active with any of my issues, don't know if she is responsible for the state of FL or something.

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: georgepa
Daniel-
Honestly, most people don't have your experiences at all. Maybe one call falls through the cracks. But if you call them again or email builditbetter@sr with an issue there is typically a follow up of some kind. I have received adequate support, maybe not exactly right away but within a few days. I have received call backs from SR for open tickets to make sure they were resolved. A "Lindsey" seems very active with any of my issues, don't know if she is responsible for the state of FL or something.

Daniel, George,
I'm going to bet that, if an issue appears about to be resolved at some level at S/R, some of the phone desk people would have a tendency toward ambivalence.
And, of course, in case it doesn't get resolved for some reason, we'll hear about it in the forums ? which is a good thing as your and laketrout?s and ttown?s (and several more names that will come to mind as soon as this is posted) advise is/are all sterling.