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

[georgepa]

tomtrike-

Cool, let me know. I am itching to jump on the 15MB deal from Verizon FIOS, but wanted to wait a bit because I probably have to get that new adapter. Wanted to use you as the guinea pig, you know.

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: georgepa
tomtrike-

Cool, let me know. I am itching to jump on the 15MB deal from Verizon FIOS, but wanted to wait a bit because I probably have to get that new adapter. Wanted to use you as the guinea pig, you know.

What!
You have access to FIOS 15MB and haven't started your own Google yet?
When I think of 300 baud or $1000 for a USR HST 18.6k or paying CompuSURv $400/month and you don't have the chutzpa to lead the way... I am truly :shocked:

 

[DoozerM]

Originally posted by: georgepa
tomtrike-

Cool, let me know. I am itching to jump on the 15MB deal from Verizon FIOS, but wanted to wait a bit because I probably have to get that new adapter. Wanted to use you as the guinea pig, you know.

georgepa - I have the 15 MB line on FIOS... I am using the old Gizmo, BUT I am behind the router so it is not an issue. I did originally test the Gizmo LAN side speed (out of curiosity), and yes, it did drop the speed to around 5 MBish. If I ever go the Gizmo in front, I too will have to try the new adapter.... Go tomtrike go!!

 

[georgepa]

Ridefree-

The hesitation I have comes from my general dislike with Verizon. I am genuinely glad I ditched them and their ridiculous POTS prices for VOIP a while back. But it is not a "big conglomerate" kind of thing, it has to do with the fact that Verizon has always given me frustrating problems galore. I documented those problems some pages back. They added to that list recently with more billing issues related to the fact that I have "naked" FIOS (no paper invoices, just credit card billing) to the point where it got so frustrating that I almost switched back to Roadrunner. RR has reacted to FIOS coming into this area with price decreases. Their full package can be had for $32.95 per month now. I still like FIOS, but I am not happy about all the problems I have experienced with it so far. If they can get their act together I'll be a happy FIOS customer, but only time and relative quiet from Verizon billing or tech department will accomplish that. As it is, Verizon is still the pits, as they have always been. I wish someone else offered FIOS, I would switch to them in a heartbeat.

 

[azoomee]

DOOZER --
I heard that Verizon has to dig up your yard to get the fiber in, is that true? Any other downside?

 

[Hulk]

Faxing Experience

Before signing up a few months ago I heard that faxing was "spotty."

I am happy to report that I have been both receiving and sending faxes without problems.

3 months on SunRocket now and it's been flawless.

 

[Bglad]

OK guys, I have an SR question. BTW, got it at my house a few months ago based on this thread and it works great!

So, thinking of getting it at my office where we use a lot of long distance. I have a big, commercial Panasonic phone system that I would have to hook the lines to but that shouldn't be a problem.

Question is, my system is setup with 5 lines so that outgoing calls are made on consecutive lines starting on 5. Customers have only one phone number for us and incoming calls are rolled to consecutive lines starting at line 1.

Obviously the 5 lines have 5 different phone numbers but line 1 is the nice clean (think 555-1000) number that we give out. Is there a way with SR to make the outgoing lines caller ID show my line 1 published business number so that I quit getting incoming calls on all my other lines and it can be handled properly by the phone system and voicemail system that I paid a fortune for?

Is anyone still reading this thread so I get an answer or will I have to start a fresh one in a help forum?

Thanks for turning me on this service. Service is better than Vonage which my brother got at about the same time.

 

[astrosfan90]

People are around, you should get an answer.

It's a good question. I'm not super-familiar with how their outbound caller ID system works, but I believe if your main number is your 555-1000 number your other number(s) should go out under that one. Not sure about adding more numbers under that umbrella.

 

[astrosfan90]

Okay, I had a moment, so I called customer support to ask about this.

Basically, from my understanding, at the moment it's not possible to have multiple lines under one account, but this is a feature they're working on and hope to offer at some point in the future. Whenever that happens, yes, all outgoing calls would show up under the main number you have on caller ID, in theory.

Hope that helps. If someone else has a better understanding of it than I do, please feel free to correct/update/add to this. I'm always a little shaky on tech stuff.

 

[Bglad]

Wow you called CSR for me? Thanks.

Seems you understand it perfectly. Our outbound calls go out starting on our line 5 and now that everybody has caller ID, they pick up our number that way and call in to all different lines which makes it difficult for the phone system to handle the calls properly.

The phone company won't do this but it is precisely the sort of problem that should be easy to solve with SR.

 

[DoozerM]

Originally posted by: azoomee


DOOZER --
I heard that Verizon has to dig up your yard to get the fiber in, is that true? Any other downside?

Yep. They dug up my Neighborhood pretty good to lay the lines about 6-8 months ago. As for the house, they had to have laid the lines at some point before we moved in (A Year Ago this past Nov.) because the ONT (Optical Network Terminal) was already attached to the side of my house in my LOCKED back yard.

Other downsides so far:

Before we looked at VOIP, we were using the FIOS to carry the POTS service (Verizon switches your copper service to FIOS when you install FIOS.. and my wife complained of Echos on the line after that... The other downside with the service is that it is run off of power in your house. So if the power goes out, you have about a 6 hour battery backup left. That power limitation is for everything running on the FIOS (TV,POTS,Internet)... We only have the POTS and Internet right now, and hoping to get rid of the POTS soon.

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: georgepa
...Verizon is still the pits, as they have always been. I wish someone else offered FIOS, I would switch to them in a heartbeat.

Qwurst & VerOzone...birds of a feather - bed partners, etc., etc., . . .
They must need to spend more money on :wine:ing and dining the senator from BellSouth or the Congress person from GE!

 

[astrosfan90]

Originally posted by: Bglad
Wow you called CSR for me? Thanks.

LOL! Well you made me curious, and I was mildly bored with a few minutes to kill, so I figured it wouldn't hurt.

Besides, I had a question about my own SR account I'd been meaning to ask anyway.

 

[RideFree]

One thing you can say about astrosfan, he's not just another pretty face.

 

[astrosfan90]

Originally posted by: RideFree
One thing you can say about astrosfan, he's not just another pretty face.

You just love me for my SunRocket, don't you?

 

[stuman74]

I have had Vonage for almost two years (broadband over Comcast). The service has been pretty decent. I'd consider it as being you get what you pay for. Once in a while the voice-mail is all screwed up (like today) and rarely the connection is "crackly".

If I move over to SunRocket, will I notice much of a difference (other then the lower cost of course)? Are there any real downsides? Again, I'm not moving from a traditional phone service, it's one VoIP to another.

Also, what is the most current promo code that I should use if I make the switch?

THANKS!

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: stuman74

Also, what is the most current promo code that I should use if I make the switch?

THANKS!

Just go here S/R signup page - no code required (this should get you the free phone set.

 

[georgepa]

stuman-

From what one reads both are about as reliable as the other. There haven't been any reported outages for either service since somewhere in September of last year.

You would obviously notice a major price drop, to about half. I believe the unlimited plan with Vonage is about $27 ($24.95 plus fees/taxes) whereas (if you don't mind pre-paying $199) you get Sunrocket for $13.28 per month, a little less than half of Vonage's cost.

Here is the link for the $199 for 15 months deal, which brings the price to $13.28 per month:

https://www.sunrocket.com/sign_up/signup.do?tcd=YAH98ks


Ok, so half the price. What else?

Well, for starters, you get more with Sunrocket in terms of features and other stuffs.

SR throws in a free extra number. It is a virtual number. This can be an ANYWHERE number (set it up in any area code SR serves and you can have family in another state call that number as a local call) or it can be just another local # for a family member (use with distinctive ring) or as a fax number. Vonage charges almost $7 extra for this number, it is free with SR.

I will repost what I had in another thread when a SR vs. Vonage comparison was asked for:

The money advantage SR has over Vonage is not just in basic service cost.
If you choose sunrocket's economical Unlimited US and Canada for $199 for 15 month plan the monthly cost works out to $13.28. There are no taxes or fees added to that base price. If you choose to cancel for any reason you receive a prorated refund. vonage's rate is $24.95 plus additional fees of $3.15 for a total of $28.10, almost $15.00 more.

More about money: SR includes $3 "allowance" in international phone calls, vonage does not. If you happen to place international calls your savings with SR over vonage become greater.

More about money: SR includes 2 free 411 calls per month, thereafter it is $0.75 per call. vonage charges $0.99 per 411 call starting from the first one. A savings of at least $2 per month if you use the 2 free 411 calls with SR.

More about money: 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.) vonage charges $4.95 plus $1.50 phone number charge per month for that signature line. SRs signature line comes with its own voicemail box, vonage's signature line is just another incoming line without voicemail box. Want to change the signature number from one area code to the next as your family moves or your needs change? SR does it for free, vonage charges $9.99 plus tax.

More about money: With SR you get a free 2-phone set (Uniden) which is a cordless speakerphone system. Value is about $70. The phone system is yours to keep, whether you decide to keep the service or not. vonage does not yet give phones away.

More about money: SR has no activation fees, no shipping cost, no setup fees and no cancellation fees. In contrast vonage has a $29.99 activation fee, a $39.99 cancellation fee, $9.99 shipping

Features: SR has a feature advantage.

Vonage has a couple of features I wish SR had:

1. Busy Redialing - You get a busy signal, hit #5 and your phone will ring you back once the busy number has been reached by the system.

2. Forwarded numbers can be rung simulataneously. SR has sequential forwarding, so if someone calls your home number and the phone rings a set number of times it then rings on the next number listed (say, your cell) then the next number. A lot of rings go by before you may become aware that someone is trying to reach you. With Simulring you can have a few numbers ring simultaneously.


SR has features Vonage does not:

1. Free signature number included (can be an anywhere number)
2. voice message screener (virtual answering machine) with the ability to intercept calls as messages are being left
3. signature number has its own voicemail box
4. Outgoing Caller ID with NAME
5. Voicemail notification to cell, email, IM, pager, SMS
6. Do Not Disturb
7. Selective Forwarding - forward calls from select group (VIP, friends, family)
8. Speed Dials programmable into any phone using the Contact List
9. True E-911. vonage is trying to switch to E-911 but currently offers a third-party 911 service.

 

[rajs]

Quick and Dumb Questions before I pull the trigger -- What all do you get in the $ 199 package ?

is 15 months still available for $199 with the 2 phones and gizmo ...
or
is it 12 months for $ 199 with 2 phones and gizmo

- The "Gizmo" (VOIP Device I guess) -- how is it working now-a-days -- I read the first few 10 odd pages of this tread from Feb 2005 and before and saw some people were having issues ....

- What is the quality of the 2 phones they give you ... They are cordless phones ... right ?

- I've got Comcast Cable Modem service where I am at with the 8 MB/sec package deal at 19.99 per month for 6 months ... and it has a 768 Kb/sec upload on it ... I assume that is more then sufficent to have excellent call quality. Would I be able make a call and play something like Day of Defeat:Source at the same time on the connection I have ...

- Should I keep the Gizmo in between the Cable Modem and the Firewall / Router I have ... or should I keep it behind the Cable Modem and Firewall ?

- How is the international call quality ... to places like Austrialia, India and the UK ?

Thanks!

 

[Neos]

Question. Tey are not available in my area - as far as my home number is concerned. They are available in an area 20 miles west - different area cose.

What is to keep one from using that area code,a nd just setting up a new number? It would all be going out and in over the cable line.

 

[TheTony]

Originally posted by: rajs
Quick and Dumb Questions before I pull the trigger -- What all do you get in the $ 199 package ?

is 15 months still available for $199 with the 2 phones and gizmo ...
or
is it 12 months for $ 199 with 2 phones and gizmo

- The "Gizmo" (VOIP Device I guess) -- how is it working now-a-days -- I read the first few 10 odd pages of this tread from Feb 2005 and before and saw some people were having issues ....

- What is the quality of the 2 phones they give you ... They are cordless phones ... right ?

- I've got Comcast Cable Modem service where I am at with the 8 MB/sec package deal at 19.99 per month for 6 months ... and it has a 768 Kb/sec upload on it ... I assume that is more then sufficent to have excellent call quality. Would I be able make a call and play something like Day of Defeat:Source at the same time on the connection I have ...

- Should I keep the Gizmo in between the Cable Modem and the Firewall / Router I have ... or should I keep it behind the Cable Modem and Firewall ?

- How is the international call quality ... to places like Austrialia, India and the UK ?

Thanks!

Both promos are still available. Use http://www.sunrocket.com/sign_up/signup.do?tcd=YAH98ks for th 15 month offer. Use <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://sunrocket.com/sign_up/signup.do?tcd=HLbfrhh">https://sunrocket.com/sign_up/signup.do?tcd=HLbfrhh</a> for the 12 month offer with 2 free phones. FYI - the 15 month offer does not include the phones.

I have the Gizmo connected, behind my router, and have had no issues so far.

The Unidens they include (DCT646-2) are very nice. Digital, intercom, direct link and room monitor features built in. A little on the small side, but for free, they're very nice. Check out the reviews at Amazon.

I'm on a 5MB cable connection, and voice quality is on par with POTS service. :thumbsup:

As I stated earlier, I have my Gizmo behind the router. You can use either configuration, but behind the router is preferable, from all indications I've heard. It's simply less likely to cause connection and/or bandwidth issues this way.

I can't speak to int'l call quality, as I haven't placed any yet. Sorry.

 

[TheTony]

Originally posted by: stuman74
Also, what is the most current promo code that I should use if I make the switch?

THANKS!

As posted by georgepa earlier in the thread:

1. $199 for 15 months for monthly cost of $13.28

Sunrocket Unlimited Service $199 for 15 months

2. $199 for 12 months with 2 Uniden phones included

Sunrocket Unlimited Service $199 for 12 months, 2 cordless Uniden phones included


3. $9.95 per month/200-LD minutes limited - 2 free Uniden phones

$9.95 per month limited service, 2 free cordless Uniden phones


4. $19.95 per month for unlimited service, 2 free cordless phones included

$19.95 per month for unlimited service, 2 free Uniden phones included

Those are the current best deals, all require a link or promo code.

 

[georgepa]

rajs-

There are 3 $199 deals currently offered:

$199 for 15 months of unlimited service to the US, Canada, Puerto Rico. That deal includes 2 incoming numbers, each with their own voicemail box, $3 of international call allowance, lots of features. That deal works out to $13.27 per month. SR has no startup or setup fees, $199 is all you pay for 15 months of service. Remember also that the $199 is not a contract. SR has no cancellation fees and if someone wanted to cancel in the middle of the year they would get a pro-rated refund of the unused portion of their $199.

Signup link is:

http://www.sunrocket.com/sign_up/signup.do?tcd=YAH98ks

$199 for 12 months of unlimited service, 2 Uniden cordless speaker phones included. Same features. The phones have about a $60 value. Take this deal over the first one ONLY if you really needed new phones anyway.

Signup link:

http://www.sunrocket.com/sign_up/signup.do?tcd=Def34w3


$199 for 12 months of unlimited service, comes with a $100 international calling card. Again, all the same features as the two deals mentioned above. This deal includes a $100 call allowance to international destinations, which comes out to $8.33 allowed per month. Take this deal ONLY if you have international calling needs that are higher than the $3 international call allowance already included in the first deal. If a caller uses all of the international minutes that are included in this deal he can bring his monthly service cost way down.

No signup link, but Sunrocket will honor this during call-in. Here is a picture of a flyer Sunrocket currently is mailing out to show this particular deal:

http://www.dslreports.com/speak/slidesh...t=L2ZvcnVtL3JlbWFyaywxNTE3OTMyNw%3D%3D


The Gizmo is pretty good. The key is in the firmware. The latest firmware upgrades helped with faxing and other odd issues. I recommend to put the gizmo after a router to avoid any bandwidth cut, or, if you don't have a router, go into the gizmo settings and activate and set up Dynamic Rate Limiting (set it to your current ISP UPLOAD bandwidth.) the gizmo is a 2-port adapter, so any future separate 2nd-line upgrade will be covered with that one adapter, a positive. It seems that we are in a transitional period with SR shipping out another 2-port adapter to customers (it is currently being beta tested,) one that apparently does a better job at keeping up with bandwidth issues.


Your bandwidth should be fine, you should be able to play the game with no problem while talking on the phones, typically preference is to put the gizmo BEHIND the router to insure proper bandwidth distribution and take away a possible failure point (if it is BEFORE the router you lose internet when something happens to the gizmo.) Int'l call quality is outstanding to the countries I typically call: Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Australia.

 

[rajs]

TheTony and Georgepa -- Thank you very for the responses. I've gone ahead and pulled the trigger on the 199 for 12 month w/ phones deal.

I thought that would work best for me since I needed to get a couple of phones either way.

- raj

 

[imported_Broertje]

I decided to go with SunRocket thanks to this forum, however, I am experiencing many dropped calls and at times there is a 15 second voice delay or dead air time. I contacted SunRocket about this problem, but I am still waiting to hear from them. I placed the gizmo after the router. Also, I have RoadRunner as my internet provider and thus the speed is pretty fast. Any suggestions? Thanks.