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

[gibster]

Originally posted by: ttown

Originally posted by: gibster
And now for something completely different...

I tried to test out whether I could use a modem over SR, as a test of a temp dialup account for my family. Could not get any connection whatsoever, weird because fax works fairly well. Not that anybody would be insane enough to use their service that way, but in my case it was a legit test that I could not perform. Anybody can shed any light on this issue?

I did that same test many months ago -- and it worked. Maybe try setting the max baud rate on the dial-up connection to 33.6 (or even slower) just to get it working. (I can't remember what rate I was able to connect at) Maybe clarify what "any connection whatsoever" means... Turn on the audio (if it's off) and listen for the hand-shaking -- does it sound "normal"? Does it seem to settle on the connection, but then disconnect you a couple seconds later?

I was not getting connected, period. Sounds were on, so I could hear the handshaking (for a long time, 30-40s), but it never resulted in a connection (reported no connection). I may try your suggestion of setting the baud rate on the gizmo possibly.

 

[astrosfan90]

So, um. Out of curiosity, what's the point of this exercise? Just curious.

 

[gibster]

Um, reading the text helps.

 

[astrosfan90]

Originally posted by: gibster
Um, reading the text helps.

Doh! Sorry, I'm fat and lazy, it's still the holiday season.

Anyone get any SR-related gifts?

 

[Jlensbo]

I've had my Sunrocket for almost a year and love it. I've been waiting, however, for service to reach the 757 area code... still no luck. Does anyone know if Sunrocket is still adding areas of coverage? Seems like they're not growing geographically because they are seldom mentioned in national magazines that review other similar providers.

 

[georgepa]

jlensbo-

SR is growing faster than before. They added Level 3 as a provider, which gives them access to a ton of new areas.

There are 757 exchanges available:

757-319-xxxx Norfolk

757-320-xxxx Norfolk



I find that SR is mentioned very often nationally, even if other providers are being reviewed or talked about. Here a few samples.


http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology...ming_kc/index.html?source=r_technology

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-5983175.html


http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?...&sector=Industries&subsector=Computing

http://news.tmcnet.com/news/2005/dec/1216646.htm

 

[georgepa]

astrofan-

Sure had a great holiday season so far, still a bit more to come.

Too much food, time goes by too fast. My youngest had her first Christmas. She's only 7 months old, so she doesn't know. She enjoyed the twinkling lights, though. Our 8 yr. old made up for it, though. I don't remember getting all that mp3 and digital stuff when I was a kid. The most "technical" was a Sketch-A-Pad. Boy.


Nothing SR related except I got a PCMCIA sleeve for my Pocket PC and may be trying SR via wireless and bluetooth through that soon.

 

[astrosfan90]

Nice, sounds like you had a great holiday!

Good finds on those links too; I myself have seen a lot of evidence of their expanding as well. Also, haven't they run ads in some major national magazines? I want to say Wired or another similar one, but I could be not remembering correctly.

 

[gibster]

We could probably estimate the number of users from the monthly invoice number... My last invoice number was 2835xx, previous month's 2460xx, two months ago 1851xx. On first glance, one could assume they lost members, but the order of my invoice is probably random. Assuming my invoice was processed around the middle of the pack every time, the older difference gives an estimate of some 60k users, and the newer one 40k. Split that down the middle, and one comes up with about 50k accounts. Does anyone know if this could be roughly correct?

 

[astrosfan90]

I'd be more curious to see what percentage of the country they covered, or maybe a map with their coverage areas. I'd think by now that most of the major metropolitan areas are covered, or will be soon. They're expanding pretty quick.

 

[Jlensbo]

Thanx for your reply! I was pleasantly surprised to verify your info, and there is indeed availability in the area I've been wanting!

So I called Sunrocket to see about a number change. In the representative's broken English I was able to discern that such a feat (changing my signature number or adding another number) is not now possible, but "the engineers are aware of the problem and are working on it). I asked if I had to call back every day to see when it was available and she suggested that I try back in 48 hours. I was also told that this action could not be undertaken online and that I would need to keep calling back to see when they could do it Sad but true...


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Originally posted by: georgepa
jlensbo-

SR is growing faster than before. They added Level 3 as a provider, which gives them access to a ton of new areas.

There are 757 exchanges available:

757-319-xxxx Norfolk

757-320-xxxx Norfolk

 

[RideFree]

Jlens, If you call back & *accidentally* get someone who understood what you needed, you might have some success...
but that's just me.

 

[monkeyboy311]

Im thinking of getting this service, but I had a few questions I emailed them but havent recieved a response. Are they usually slow at responding to emails?

One of the questions was:

1. I live in area code 504, but I plan on moving to area code 337 in about 3mths. 337 isnt availabe right now, but could I keep my 504 number when I move?

 

[TheTony]

Even though, if you select a new number, you choose from a local pool, I don't believe it is tied to your billing or service address, per se.

That is, you shouldn't have to change it when you move. After all, the phone will work wherever it can be conntected to the internet.

By the same logic, however, I'm not sure why it isn't easier to pick an out of area code for a primary number.

In any event, always remember to update your location so that 911 service always works properly.

 

[monkeyboy311]

So, has anyone heard from any inside sources what the next deal will be? Should I get the 2 free phone deal before the 31st?

 

[TheTony]

All indications point to the phone promo remaining. However, as you point out, the offer does expire at the end of this month, and the next promo will be the first of 2006, so what, if anything changes, is anyone's guess.

That said, I wouldn't expect any changes to start 2006.

 

[monkeyboy311]

The deal thats in the topic, is their a link to that promo? ALSO, is this a publically traded company? Im trying to find out how they are doing financially. Would they let me switch to a $199 plan after a month or so? Im not crazy about giving a company 1yr advance payment, especially a fairly new company/technology.

 

[TheTony]

As far as I know, the 15 month offer ended earlier this month. Until very recently, it was still available, but had to be ordered over the phone. It doesn't seem to be available at all at this point.

SunRocket's been around for a year now, if I'm not mistaken. I do not believe they're publicly traded yet. Speculation points to several VOIP operations going public in 2006, but if SunRocket becomes one of them remains to be seen. The latest financial news I've heard was additional capital funding to the tune of $25 million, secured from investors.

The only promo other than what's noted on the web site that I am aware of is the $24.99 plan for $19.99, with promo code WBFOGQ. Shouldn't be a problem to transition to yearly billing if you like the service and stay. However, there is a refund policy on the yearly plan, so unless you're seriously worried about being denied a refund, it's just as easy, if you can afford the initial outlay.

I mean, if you'd read the 114 pages of this thread you'd know that.

 

[monkeyboy311]

Originally posted by: TheTony
Shouldn't be a problem to transition to yearly billing if you like the service and stay. However, there is a refund policy on the yearly plan, so unless you're seriously worried about being denied a refund, it's just as easy, if you can afford the initial outlay.

I mean, if you'd read the 114 pages of this thread you'd know that.

Thats not what I was worried about. I knew that SR would prorate your yearly fee for a refund. What im worried about is if SR doesnt exist in 3mths, they arent going to refund you then

 

[georgepa]

Tony-

For 911 purposes the phone number is indeed tied to the service address (not the billing address.) It insures that 911 service is available to all customers, because Sunrocket simply does not sell in areas they have not achieved 100% E911 provision with the local CLEC yet. SR decided on that track to be able to comply with FCC mandates.

Originally posted by: TheTony
Even though, if you select a new number, you choose from a local pool, I don't believe it is tied to your billing or service address, per se.

That is, you shouldn't have to change it when you move. After all, the phone will work wherever it can be conntected to the internet.

By the same logic, however, I'm not sure why it isn't easier to pick an out of area code for a primary number.

In any event, always remember to update your location so that 911 service always works properly.

monkeyboy-

Nobody stops you from using your SR phone in the new area code, even though SR does not serve that area code yet. One thing you can't do in 3 months when you move is call SR and tell them about the move, as you would most likely lose your account. If you provide adequate 911 solutions you don't really need to let them know. The billing address for your credit card is not tied to your account anyway.
Just keep in mind that 911 calls will still go to the same call center in the old area code (504,) so be sure to remember to not EVER rely on 911 from your SR number after the move. If you do use 911 after your move the new occupant of your house will get a visit from the cops while your own emergency remains unresponded to. Definitely have another means of 911 available for your home. I would monitor the 337 area code closely to see if Level 3 (which is available in that area code) started offering SR service there. Once they do, your best bet for 911 purposes is to have your primary phone number in the 337 area code (THEN tell them that you moved) and move your 504 number to be the signature number. That way you have the best of both worlds.


BTW, almost every poster here has the 12 month deal to maximize savings. Sunrocket is a very sound company run by 3 top-level ex-MCI execs and financed with their own monies, money from Nokia (Bluerun) Ventures and more recently add-on financing from respected investment firms like Doll Capital Management (Dixon Doll is one of the most respected investors in the country.)

http://www.sunrocket.com/about/press/funding/


They are fast becoming the #2 provider in the country, having by now surpassed ATT CallVantage's subscriber base and poised to pass Packet 8 soon. No worries about them going under any time in the near future. But, yes, you can try their $19.95 month-to-month unlimited deal first, then switch to the $199 yearly deal without a problem. I would recommend the $19.95 month-to-month deal over the $9.95 limited month-to-month service in your case, because you are thinking of going with the yearly deal and that way all you pay is the $19.95 for the first month of service (no $40 equipment charge) and it comes with the free phones, that second (signature) number included as well as full voicemail for each number. There is also a $3 international call allowance. Promo code for the $19.95 deal is WBFOGQ




jlensbo-

I would try today. After reading your post I called SR from my cell on my way home yesterday (their 1-800 #) and asked about changing my signature number. He was ready to do it right on the spot. I said "I heard there was a problem with switching signature numbers" but he was not aware of anything. I did not go through with a change, stopped him right before he would have "pulled the trigger." You should be successful now with this long-awaited number-add. If I recall you were asking about this quite a while back.




astrosfan-

The map they have on the website is seriously outdated:

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.sunrocket.com/sign_up/availability/viewAvailabilityMap.do">https://www.sunrocket.com/sign_up/availability/viewAvailabilityMap.do</a>

Tons of areas they now serve are not covered on that map. I agree that by adding Level 3 as one of their providers they have now achieved very good market coverage. Level 3 is the largest provider of VOIP to POTS switching in the country, so it seems safe to assume that when Sunrocket started partnering with them (on November 29) market coverage and available exchanges at least doubled, perhaps tripled.

BTW, you may want to move soon on some of the potential signups you have cooking there. They are offering $50 rewards for any new signups now rather than the typical $25. That includes folks you may sign up for the $9.95 per month deal using the promo code to give the 2 free Uniden phones. SR claims that this lasts until Dec. 31. I am not sure if that is true or will be replaced by a new $50 referral credit then. My hunch is that it will go back to $25 per signup after Dec. 31.

 

[OzzieGT]

Did anyone else get an invoice today? It looks like even though I signed up last week they want to charge me again!!! Either that or I am misreading the invoice. We'll see if I get another charge on my card. It's a pretty confusing invoice...

 

[Ronstang]

I am very interested in gettin this service but sifting through this thread for all the info I need to know TODAY as to what I need to do seems a little daunting and I do not have the time this morning. Could some kind soul please post the BEST deal available today and with links and any information I need to know to get that deal. I want to go ahead and get the 1 yr or 15 month service.

Thanks and Happy New Year

 

[Jlensbo]

Originally posted by: OzzieGT
Did anyone else get an invoice today? It looks like even though I signed up last week they want to charge me again!!! Either that or I am misreading the invoice. We'll see if I get another charge on my card. It's a pretty confusing invoice...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have the yearly plan which I started last March. Last month I got an invoice via email in the amount of $0. Yesterday I got another one in the amount of $0.

 

[Jlensbo]

jlensbo-

I would try today. After reading your post I called SR from my cell on my way home yesterday (their 1-800 #) and asked about changing my signature number. He was ready to do it right on the spot. I said "I heard there was a problem with switching signature numbers" but he was not aware of anything. I did not go through with a change, stopped him right before he would have "pulled the trigger." You should be successful now with this long-awaited number-add. If I recall you were asking about this quite a while back.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After reading YOUR post I took your advice and called them back. I told them I wanted my signature line to have a 757 area code and he put me on hold as if he was about to do it for me. Alas, he came back and said that, while 757 is now available as a Sunrocket PRIMARY phone number, it is not yet available as a SECONDARY number. The only area code for Virginia that I was currently able to add would be the 703 area code. He had no estimated date when I could get a 757 number - all I could do was to keep checking back.

Bummer

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: Jlensbo

Originally posted by: OzzieGT
Did anyone else get an invoice today? It looks like even though I signed up last week they want to charge me again!!! Either that or I am misreading the invoice. We'll see if I get another charge on my card. It's a pretty confusing invoice...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have the yearly plan which I started last March. Last month I got an invoice via email in the amount of $0. Yesterday I got another one in the amount of $0.

Some invoices I've seen are for letting the customer know their monthly balance for things like 411 calls, international calls and/or any other toll calls.
Seems to me like it's just a reconciliation in order to let you know where you stand.
Anyway, don't worry about it, even if they screw up & bill you twice, they are pretty quick to catch and rectify errors.