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

[Scarpozzi]

I'm on Packet8 right now and have been on that service since last January. How does SunRocket Compare? It'd save me $64+ per year to switch... On Packet8, the service is really good. I just wanted to know what to expect. I get minimal echo as it is....Packet8 isn't bad.

 

[RideFree]

Scarp, Welcome to the dark side...

 

[DoozerM]

Originally posted by: georgepa
doozer-

Sounds like your wife inadvertantly hit the TALK button twice. That had the effect that she picked up on your call but then immediately put you on hold. Of course you get the chipper but cheesy hold music. When your wife hung up the phone it rang back because you were still on hold.

Thanks George... You saved me.... And I think the wife will believe that one too

 

[mm60]

I have my gizmo in between my cable modem and router. I am planning on moving the gizmo behind the router (I have a Dlink DI-624). I will unplug the gizmo for an hour (to lose the IP address) and then plug it into the LAN port of my router.

I have read posts where it is possible to access the gizmo configuration screen when the gizmo is behind the router. Can someone please PM me with the details and any other tips?

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: DoozerM
So I notice the first few syllables of each call are cut off. Nothing major, but of course my wife will pick up on that and complain.

Also, interesting call I had recently. I called home. From my end, it rang a few times, it went to some elevator music, then over to my wife answering the phone. From her end, it rang, she picked it up and it was dial tone. She hung the phone up. It rang again. She picked it up and there I was. Has anyone else experienced this?

I think George hit the nail on the head with your wife's call.

As far as the first second or so being cut off, I experienced this with Sunrocket and Vonage. My guess is it's one of the little quirks of VOIP in general rather than a Sunrocket problem.

 

[idea]

Anyone have any tips and tricks on this gizmo? I connected it behind my WRT54G using the supplied crossover cable (I read that is a crossover). I don't trust it being before the router. Does it have a config page? I point my browser at 192.168.1.106:80 but it doesn't appear to be running a web server.

It goes...
Optonline.net
.Cable modem
..Linksys WRT54G
...WinXP
...Gizmo

Where are my cordless phones? They didn't come in the box. Do they come after I activate or something? I'm going to try connecting a regular phone and see what happens anyway.

 

[georgepa]

Scarpozzi-

P8 isn't bad. It is just that the voice codec they use is not as good as the voice codec used by Sunrocket (also Vonage, ATT CallVantage.) Like macro2 mentions, that is good if you have very limited bandwidth from your high-speed internet provider. It probably can even work over regular phone lines. But, you sacrifice voice quality. If you have decent bandwidth, like most high-speed internet users do, you want the best possible voice quality, which the g711u codec gives you.

I've done this for a Sunrocket vs. Vonage comparison a few pages back, but I'll do the same for Sunrocket vs. Packet 8. A true Apples to Apples comparison would have to include the signature line that comes free with Sunrocket. If you really can't use it just deduct that from the total, it just keeps the comparisons to as close to accuarate as possible.


Price comparison:

SR currently offers 15 months for $199, which comes out to $13.26 per month. You get a $3 int'l call credit per month, so true base cost could be as low as $10.26 per month. No shipping cost, no fees or taxes, so for a new startup true cost for the month is either $13.26 or $10.26 (if you call internationally).

Packet 8s rate is $19.95 per month plus additional fees of $1.50 recovery fee plus 0.55 Federal Excise Tax plus $1.99 E911 fee for a total of $23.99, almost $10.00 more per month (or $13 if you make international calls and use the $3 credit with SR.)

But, true apples to apples comparison also has to include the signature number. SR includes a "Signature line" with the basic service free of charge. You get a second phone number to use as you please. It could be the number for a family member, you could use it as a fax number or you could assign it as an ANYWHERE number (set up this number in an area code you have friends, family or clients and allow them to call you dialing a local number.) Packet 8 charges $4.95 plus $1.50 recovery fee per month for that signature line. SRs signature line comes with its own voicemail box, Packet 8s signature line is just another incoming line without voicemail box. Activation fee for the signature line with Packet 8 is $9.95.

SR includes 2 free 411 calls per month, thereafter it is $0.75 per call. Packet 8 charges $0.75 per 411 call starting from the first one. A savings of $1.50 per month if you use the 2 free 411 calls with SR.

SR has no activation fees, no shipping cost, no setup fees and no cancellation fees. In contrast Packet 8 has a $59.99 cancellation fee, $9.99 shipping cost and "best deal" 54.99 for the adapter.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002JUHJ8/103-7185731-4021458



So, the math:

For a new startup, SR comes out to $13.26 per month or $10.26 per month (for int'l callers.)

For a new startup Packet 8 (with the signature line SR also has) comes out to $23.99 plus $6.45 for the signature line, plus $5.41 in startup fees/shipping cost for a total of $35.85.

Make 2 calls to 411 and you crack $37 with Packet 8 (cost is $0.75 per call) while SR stays at $13.26 (or 10.26 as it were) because of the 2 included 411 calls.


Features pro and con:

Packet 8 is generally considered feature poor in comparison with other VOIPs. There are really no features that Packet 8 has that Sunrocket lacks.

However, SR has a few features that Packet8 does not:

1. Best voice codec used - g711u

2. Better voicemail notification - When new voicemail comes in SR can be set up to notify via e-mail and cell phone, and also via IM (Yahoo, AOL, MSN, ICQ,) pager and SMS.

3. Second signature number with its own mailbox included.

4. Signature Message screener (discussed earlier in this thread)

5. Voicemail forward to email as .wav files

6. 7-digit dialing

7. Outgoing Caller ID WITH NAME. Packet8 does not display your name with your Caller ID info, SR does.

8. Contact Lists - Define speed dials from your contacts and simply dial "*01" from your phone

9. Click to Call from Contact List - Helpful if you want to make a call from your contact list even when you are not at home and have calls forwarded to a different locations (say cell or work phone.)

10. T.38 faxing for improved fax reliability

_________________________________________

In your particular case (when compared to a brandnew signup) you already have the adapter and you obviously don't have to pay any setup fee anymore for subsequent years. Therefore a true monetary comparison for your case would be

SR - $13.26 ---- Packet 8 - $23.99

with signature number:

SR - $13.26 ----- Packet 8 - $30.44


So, depending on whether you want to count the signature number as an important feature or not, your savings with SR are either $10.73 per month or $128.76 per year or, if the signature number is to be considered the savings are $17.18 per month or $206.16.

 

[idea]

I think Sunrocket broke something. Possibly my aging Moto 3100 cablemodem. Earlier today my internet was fine, after I plugged in the gizmo I did a speed test just to make sure everything was ok.

2005-12-05 23:17:36 EST: 633 / 904
Your download speed : 633 kbps or 79.2 KB/sec.
Your upload speed : 904 kbps or 113 KB/sec.

I disconnected everything except my PC. Same thing. Connected PC directly to modem (without router), same thing. Took off the coax splitter and connected the line directly to the modem. Same thing. My speed has been reduced to 10% of it's original speed. I called a tech and he's telling me about 1-5% packet loss and he needs to send a tech. I won't be home this week though. Oh well. It may be my modem. Maybe I'll stop by the service center and pick up a new one, I needed to upgrade anyway... they're free so what the hell.

 

[idea]

Back to normal. It was probably my cable ISP hiccuping. Ignore that post.

 

[georgepa]

pulse8-

On another site a member received this email:

_________________________________________________________________________

Dear Kevin,

We sincerely apologize. Due to a billing system error, your credit card was billed twice for your purchase of SunRocket Service. SunRocket has corrected the issue, and a credit in the full amount of $199 will automatically be applied to your credit card. The refund may take up to 3 days from the date of this notice to show on your credit card statement.

We deeply regret this inconvenience. If you have questions or concerns, you may reach us at 1-800-786-0132 from 7am to Midnight, 7 days a week.

Sincerely,

SunRocket Member Services

_________________________________________________________________________

That HAS to be the same glitch that happened to you. Did you get the same email (without the "Kevin," of course)?

 

[DoozerM]

I got the same email about the billing error and Yep, they charged my credit card twice as well. At least they caught their mistake....

 

[pulse8]

Do you have a link for where that happened? I'm curious how long it took from the time they charged to the time they refunded.

Originally posted by: georgepa
pulse8-

On another site a member received this email:

_________________________________________________________________________

Dear Kevin,

We sincerely apologize. Due to a billing system error, your credit card was billed twice for your purchase of SunRocket Service. SunRocket has corrected the issue, and a credit in the full amount of $199 will automatically be applied to your credit card. The refund may take up to 3 days from the date of this notice to show on your credit card statement.

We deeply regret this inconvenience. If you have questions or concerns, you may reach us at 1-800-786-0132 from 7am to Midnight, 7 days a week.

Sincerely,

SunRocket Member Services

_________________________________________________________________________

That HAS to be the same glitch that happened to you. Did you get the same email (without the "Kevin," of course)?

 

[gordita]

I have a question about SunRocket.

Currently, I have DSL and a regular POTS line through a local carrier.
I also have Dish DVR that requires a phone connect 24x7.
more importantly, I have a VoIP device called 'IPstar' that needs a phone line to dial into a dialup account so I can talk free of cost with my family in Asia.

if I were to get SunRocket, I would need to get cable since my local carrier will not supply DSL if I don't get the regular POTS line.
getting cable would be ok, same cost.
Next, i understand that SunRocket does support Dish DVR's (read this on dslreports forum).

but, how do I resolve this VoIP device dilemma?
will this IPstar when hooked through the gizmo be able to dial a local isp number so it connects to the web?

I understand that since sunrocket has a no questions asked return policy, I could order the kit and see if it works.
what promo code should I use to get the 15-month trial?

I already have an awesome panasonic 4 handset 5.8Ghz system and so, don't need sunrocket's free phones.
thanks for all your help

 

[peone]

georgepa or anyone who can help:

I want to sign up for sunrocket's annual plan. How can I get the 2 free uniden phones AND the 15 month (annual plus 3 free months) service for $199? I tried several links but was only able to get either the 2 free phone or the 3 exta months BUT not both. Is there a special line and promo code?

Thanks in advance for your help.

peone

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: peone
I want to sign up for sunrocket's annual plan. How can I get the 2 free uniden phones AND the 15 month (annual plus 3 free months) service for $199? I tried several links but was only able to get either the 2 free phone or the 3 exta months BUT not both. Is there a special line and promo code?

Originally posted by: gordita
I have a question about SunRocket.

Currently, I have DSL and a regular POTS line through a local carrier.
I also have Dish DVR that requires a phone connect 24x7.
more importantly, I have a VoIP device called 'IPstar' that needs a phone line to dial into a dialup account so I can talk free of cost with my family in Asia.

if I were to get SunRocket, I would need to get cable since my local carrier will not supply DSL if I don't get the regular POTS line.
getting cable would be ok, same cost.
Next, i understand that SunRocket does support Dish DVR's (read this on dslreports forum).

but, how do I resolve this VoIP device dilemma?
will this IPstar when hooked through the gizmo be able to dial a local isp number so it connects to the web?

I understand that since sunrocket has a no questions asked return policy, I could order the kit and see if it works.
what promo code should I use to get the 15-month trial?

I already have an awesome panasonic 4 handset 5.8Ghz system and so, don't need sunrocket's free phones.
thanks for all your help

S/R still has the 15 month for $199. You have to call 800-786-0132 and select option 2? (i think goes to sales dept.) anyway, you need to get to the sales department and ask specifically for the free 3 months - (it supposedly went off 11-30-05 but is still available through sales but apparently, not the web).

 

[DoozerM]

Originally posted by: peone
georgepa or anyone who can help:

I want to sign up for sunrocket's annual plan. How can I get the 2 free uniden phones AND the 15 month (annual plus 3 free months) service for $199? I tried several links but was only able to get either the 2 free phone or the 3 exta months BUT not both. Is there a special line and promo code?

Thanks in advance for your help.

peone

I could be wrong, but I believe the special was for one OR the other, not both.

 

[RideFree]

I had just spoken w/ S/R sales and although the accent was heavy, she apparently spoke with a supervisor and told me that you could do accordingly. She was tough for me to understand, si I asked her to repeat it about three times.

Maybe it's like that old Italian joke about never letting a day go by...
or that old Norwegian joke about, "Not these Fokkers, them was Messerschmitts!"

 

[georgepa]

gordita-

The IPStar device you are describing should work fine. The gizmo can be used as a modem dial-up device without a problem, so this should work just the same.


peone-

It is either, or. If you need phones get the $199/12 month deal with the nice phones ($65 value.) If you don't need the phones because you already have nice ones call SR and ask for the 15 month deal.


Ridefree-

That is very good info. Thanks. I was afraid the deal is gone. BTW, do you think the $100 int'l credit deal is still there as well if you call?

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: georgepa
Ridefree-
That is very good info. Thanks. I was afraid the deal is gone. BTW, do you think the $100 int'l credit deal is still there as well if you call?

I think they might give some moon property away to seal the deal. They implied that the best deal is going to come via the sales dept not via the www - the way I read it.
"Lock and load!"

 

[peone]

Thanks Ride Free and georgepa for the help and clarification. I'm going to call them in the morning and sign up for the 15 months.

 

[georgepa]

Ok, those who are interested but believe that Sunrocket is not available in your area, check again.

Sunrocket is now partnering with Level 3, another CLEC. Level 3 has thousands of exchanges around the country, so Sunrocket is now in the midst of blanketing the entire US.

I tried to find availability numbers for cities and metro areas that were not covered before. Because Level 3 has many exchanges, is one of the largest CLECs in the business, SR is now available in many cities and towns they were not in before, both major markets and small, tiny markets.

I did a search on my state, Florida. Sunrocket now offers Level 3 exchange numbers in Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Garden, Talahassee, Panama City, Pensacola, Cocoa, Lakeland, Plant City, Ovieda, on and on the list goes. I searched Austin, TX, a bigger metro area that wasn't part of SR's availability map. Now Austin, TX and a few suburbs are available. Same with Raleigh, NC and Jacksonville, FL suburbs. Memphis, TN? Now there. Macon, GA? Check. Columbia, SC? Check. Charleston, SC? Check. Charleston, WV? Check. And so on.

At a time when many VOIP providers are not allowed to sell new service because they don't comply with the FCC's E-911 ruling Sunrocket adds a ton of new exchanges via their Level 3 partnership. If you tried to get this before for yourself or someone else, check again now. I recall one guy from Memphis, TN posting here a few weeks ago, and it is now available in his area.

 

[idea]

My phones have shipped and they will be here today. The equipment arrived first, on Monday, and 3 days later the phones will arrive. I was scared because I thought they forgot to package my phones, but I just got an email.

My numbers will have been completely ported on the 12th, or approx 2 weeks after I ordered the sunrocket service.

I am almost completely converted to a cordless household with VOIP.

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: georgepa
Ok, those who are interested but believe that Sunrocket is not available in your area, check again.

Sunrocket is now partnering with Level 3, another CLEC. Level 3 has thousands of exchanges around the country, so Sunrocket is now in the midst of blanketing the entire US.

I tried to find availability numbers for cities and metro areas that were not covered before. Because Level 3 has many exchanges, is one of the largest CLECs in the business, SR is now available in many cities and towns they were not in before, both major markets and small, tiny markets.

I did a search on my state, Florida. Sunrocket now offers Level 3 exchange numbers in Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Garden, Talahassee, Panama City, Pensacola, Cocoa, Lakeland, Plant City, Ovieda, on and on the list goes. I searched Austin, TX, a bigger metro area that wasn't part of SR's availability map. Now Austin, TX and a few suburbs are available. Same with Raleigh, NC and Jacksonville, FL suburbs. Memphis, TN? Now there. Macon, GA? Check. Columbia, SC? Check. Charleston, SC? Check. Charleston, WV? Check. And so on.

At a time when many VOIP providers are not allowed to sell new service because they don't comply with the FCC's E-911 ruling Sunrocket adds a ton of new exchanges via their Level 3 partnership. If you tried to get this before for yourself or someone else, check again now. I recall one guy from Memphis, TN posting here a few weeks ago, and it is now available in his area.

I searched the upper midwest...
Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota & South Dakota - nada! A great black hole in S/Rs field of coverage. Shocking!

 

[DoozerM]

Hi all... So far my wife has rated SR an 8 out of 10... (Her rating system is very simple - voice quality, no funky quirks while on phone). One time she got disconnected twice, but I am not sure if they are SR related or my router. I'm doing some research now......

 

[georgepa]

Ridefree, there are some Wyoming Sunrocket numbers.


Cheyenne- 307-207-xxxx

and

Cheyenne - 307-214-xxxx

and

Cheyenne -307-459-xxxx


also:

Casper - 307-462-xxxx