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

[RideFree]

tommyt,
You should get a router if you are on Comcast!
There are plenty of good router deals right here in the HD forum.
I'd rather take a stroll down Airport Blvd. in Baghdad than connect to Comcast without a router.

 

[tomtrike]

RideFree,

So would the signal go from the modem to the router and then split and go to the PC on one output and to the Gizmo on another output of the router with the Gizmo only handling the phone???

Tom

PS: 11 years online without a router. Self taught.

 

[RideFree]

Gizmo > Router > modem
Computer > router - you are thinking like BEFSR11. You need to think like BEFSR41
Newegg - Linksys (Typical example)

 

[tomtrike]

RideFree

I need a diagram.

Georgepa said I should have the Gizmo after the router.

Have patience. I'm am old timer. 70+. I cut my eye teeth on vacuum tubes.

Tom

PS: Way past my bedtime. I'll check in tomorrow.:shocked:

 

[TheTony]

Yes. Router becomes point the point which feeds the Gizmo and the PC. Both via the router. Gizmo is indeed just used for SR (as opposed to the non-router configuration).

 

[TheTony]

Speaking of placing the Gizmo behind a router...

Is anyone using their Gizmo in a bridged network? I've got 2 routers - 1 wired, 1 wireless. The wired one is bridged to the wireless one, which is, for all intensive purposes, an access point (though the wired ports are usable).

I've got an open spot on the first router for the Gizmo, so I'm not worried, but am curious - any potential issue with moving it to the 2nd?

 

[georgepa]

tomtrike-

"RideFree,

So would the signal go from the modem to the router and then split and go to the PC on one output and to the Gizmo on another output of the router with the Gizmo only handling the phone???

Tom

PS: 11 years online without a router. Self taught."




EXACTLY.


A router would most likely do the trick for you. Some modems don't work too well with the gizmo and it cuts down on bandwidth. If you have a decent high-speed Internet provider they may be willing to give you a different (perhaps latest-model) modem, which might take care of it without the need for a router.

You can also try allocating a certain amount of bandwidth to the gizmo by setting Dynamic Rate Limits in your gizmo:


Setting Dynamic Rate Limit.

1. Open up a web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla, etc.).
2. Type the 192.168.251.1 in the address bar to logon to the gizmo, then
press enter.
3. Type in the password which is "welcome", then press enter.
4. Click on LAN on the left side menu, then click on LAN SETTINGS.
Scroll down To the "rate control" section.
5. Click on the round button next to Dynamic Rate Limiting.
6. Input your upload bandwidth (most have something like 2000k down/384k up - you would use 384 in that case)
7. Click on "Save LAN Settings" on the bottom of the page.
8. Click on reset on the left side menu to reset the gizmo.
Dynamic Rate Limiting should already be set after the restart.

 

[georgepa]

TheTony-

The only issue woud be with latency. It is advisable to use your regular router. Use the wireless bridge to connect the gizmo to only if you have to (i.e. setup of phones in a basement) but be aware that while working fine with VOIP that setup has some latency issues, so every once in a while you hear slight distortions (for split-seconds.)

 

[georgepa]

Instead of having to call SR to get the $199/15 month deal, here is the promo code and related link:

SR unlimited $199/15 months

 

[TheTony]

Originally posted by: georgepa
TheTony-

The only issue woud be with latency. It is advisable to use your regular router. Use the wireless bridge to connect the gizmo to only if you have to (i.e. setup of phones in a basement) but be aware that while working fine with VOIP that setup has some latency issues, so every once in a while you hear slight distortions (for split-seconds.)

I was referring to using the wired ports on the router rather than wireless. The bridged routers are both wired (1 wired to 2, which serves wired and unwired machines). The bridge itself is not wireless - just the 2nd router. Sorry for the confusion.

I assumed there would be no issues, but am not 100% certain how the Gizmo behaves in configurations such as that. Sounds like it would work fine, if it was done. Thanks

 

[laketrout]

Originally posted by: georgepa
laketrout-

There is a site that I use:

www.fonefinder.net

I get someone's area code and type that in the search. Then I look for GLOBAL CROSSINGS, Level 3 or Focal (in some areas Choice One) for CLECs. Then you just simply try the different exchanges that come up on the sunrocket website. Some Level 3 exchanges don't come up yet, but they probably will be opened up soon, so it is good to check back.

Thanx George, that will come in handy.

 

[georgepa]

TheTony-

Ah, I see. Yes, you are right, no issue in that configuration. I thought you were referring to using remote internet via a wirless bridge or wireless game adapter.

 

[georgepa]

Just to get back to the "Hot Deals" premise of this thread:

The "hot deals" SR has going right now (I provided links) are:


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.



I read in another forum that someone signed up for the $199/12 months/2 free Uniden phone deal, then called SR and asked about the free 3 months promo (promo code YAH98ks.) They would not give him the 3 months on top of the free phones, but he talked them into adding 2 free months. Not sure if that can be duplicated, but perhaps worth a try.

 

[TheTony]

Originally posted by: georgepa
TheTony-

Ah, I see. Yes, you are right, no issue in that configuration. I thought you were referring to using remote internet via a wirless bridge or wireless game adapter.

Perhaps ironically, I may end up looking into that configuration, too. I may have a need to wire VOIP into the household line. However, from where my cable modem is, there is no way to the phone jack across the room, without running line across a doorway. I had relegated my options to 1) fishing some line in the walls or 2)trying a wireless phone/modem jack (plugs into a standard power outlet). I had considered the idea of a game adapter, but they aren't exactly cheap either and due to the latency, wouldn't seem to be ideal.

I'll still look into it, just to see if there is an appreciable difference in the cost of one, even though I imagine the phone adapter will be less. Hardwiring is the obvious preference.

In any event, your original reply wasn't in vain

 

[azoomee]

I just received my Gizmo after signing up over the weekend.

I'm actually surprised at the clarity of the signal. It sounds as good as or better than my regular wired phone. We'll be putting it through the test over the next week or so before we shut off the regular wired service.....

 

[georgepa]

Originally posted by: azoomee
I just received my Gizmo after signing up over the weekend.

I'm actually surprised at the clarity of the signal. It sounds as good as or better than my regular wired phone. We'll be putting it through the test over the next week or so before we shut off the regular wired service.....

Wow, that was fast. You must be living near Virginia, where SR is located.


Be sure to have *some* means of communication when you do ditch your landline. SR has been extremely stable and "up" for a good while now, but they had some "growing pains" around Aug/Sept of last year, which prompted a massive hardware upgrade. It has been very good, but you never know with these things. There may be outages related to something at their end, or something on your end (your internet provider.) Good to have at least a cell around as backup for communication or 911 in case there is some (hopefully just short) problem.

Once you disconnect your landline you may also want to look at whole-house wiring to get all your phone outlets "live" with a Sunrocket dialtone. It is very easy and adds convenience.

 

[lazarus000]

Originally posted by: georgepa
Wow, that was fast. You must be living near Virginia, where SR is located.


Be sure to have *some* means of communication when you do ditch your landline. SR has been extremely stable and "up" for a good while now, but they had some "growing pains" around Aug/Sept of last year, which prompted a massive hardware upgrade. It has been very good, but you never know with these things. There may be outages related to something at their end, or something on your end (your internet provider.) Good to have at least a cell around as backup for communication or 911 in case there is some (hopefully just short) problem.

Once you disconnect your landline you may also want to look at whole-house wiring to get all your phone outlets "live" with a Sunrocket dialtone. It is very easy and adds convenience.

george ... dude you're making a living from this Franken-thread



btw - has Sunrocket gotten the mixed analog signal for data devices(tivo,fax,satellite etc)
worked out yet?

 

[astrosfan90]

Just noticed this article on the CNN Money website:

Internet people and products to watch

Hot technology: Voice over Internet Protocol

eBay (Research) paid more than $2.6 billion in September for nearly revenue-free Skype. But that net-phone service is not the only evidence VoIP is changing telecommunications. Check out SunRocket -- just one of many high-quality VoIP services -- where residents of many American cities can buy a year of home calling for $199.

VoIP is not only cheaper than old-fashioned phone service. Increasingly it's better. Basic VoIP plans include freebies like caller-ID with name and online logs of all your incoming, outgoing and missed calls.

 

[DoozerM]

I love how SunRocket is getting this nice free press.... I hope they keep it up with subscription additions... I don't want them to go under any time soon... We are pretty close to dropping our Verizon POTS and transferring our Verizon number over to SR now as well.

 

[tomtrike]

 

[tomtrike]

It's been over 48 hours and still no call from SunRocket level 3. If the only way the Gizmo can work is with a router, why don't they just tell me which one to use and how to hook it up. Why should I have engineer it? I have always had just one computer the past 14 years. Since most of that period I have used a Mac I have no need for extra security a router provides. The new Mac OS has a built-in firewall.

So here I sit with a 70 to 85% hit in download speed. Since I researched this online I see that this problem has been reported since Feb. 2005. SR service should be able to tell you what to do on the first call for service for this problem. Why should I have to shell out $70 for a router and learn how to set it up? This is supposed to be plug and play. They will never grab a big market share if customer have to jump through all these loops to achieve the sme performance they had before hooking up the Gizmo.

Rant over.

Old Tom

 

[RideFree]

Tom, You are making mountains out of the molehills.
1. Who said anything about a $70 router? The cheaper, the better. I took the trouble to link you to a $40 router on Newegg. You can get by for less than that. I advised you that there are lots of router deals right here in ATHD.
2. Why is a guy with a G4 & running the latest OS complaining about even a $40 outlay, let alone FAR, as they sometimes come through in This HD forum?
3. Do you really need an "engineer" to tell you how to plug your Mac & the Gizmo into any router LAN port and then plug the router's WAN into your Cable modem? Just use prebuilt CAT5 cabling and the connections are falling-off-the-log-simple.
Nuf said.

 

[tomtrike]

RideFree wrote: "you are thinking like BEFSR11. You need to think like BEFSR41"

That is what confused me. The $40 sr11 model has one outlet. Won't I need two? One for the Mac and one for the Gizmo?

I have read stories on the net of programing problems for routers. So I am leery.

So am I not to expect a cure from SR? Why do they leave customer problems to you and GeorgePa? That is asking a lot for somone not on the payroll.

What would it hurt for them to write a technical bulletin to advise those interested in preserving maximum download speed?

The Gizmo manufacturer, Telco, has said: "Access211 eliminates the need to purchase an external router". So that is why I am waiting until SR admits that the Gizmo won't work without one. I will call them again tomorrow since they haven't kept their 48 hour response promise.

I wouldn't mind the cost if I was assured by them that it would cure my problem.

Tom

 

[RideFree]

"you are thinking like BEFSR11".
The BEFSR11 has only one (1) LAN port. You will need two (2) or more. Your previous reference to a "?" adapter indicated that you didn't know that routers came with more than one connection.

"You need to think like BEFSR41" This has four (4) LAN ports.
This will work just fine. - Hence the, "You need to think like BEFSR41".

If you want a simple way to regain your lost speed, this will work.
Yes, there are a few routers that have issues with the Gizmo.
Linksys is an extremely popular & trouble-free router that works just fine with Gizmo.
The BEFSR41 has been on the market since you & I were about 2 years old
It even comes with a "Dummies Guide to Hooking Up Your First Router" foldout. Same thing I used for the first time - way back in the old days.

 

[georgepa]

Tom, I am sorry, but the advice was to get a router, easiest fix in the book. They are cheap and will fix your problem. There are plenty online, but locally you should find great deals as well. CompUSA and Best Buy always run special deals which will bring your cost to under $50, perhaps even under $20 (after rebate.) It is not like you are down, your phone and internet should work fine, and you should hardly notice an appreciatable difference, so you can take your time and perhaps get the best online deal for a router.

I also explained how to get into the gizmo and set up Dynamic Rate Limiting.

Then there is the modem swap with your internet provider for a newer model, perhaps.


The problem: Your particular modem and the gizmo don't like each other, bandwidth is throttled. Router fixes it. Typically Netgear and Dlink are the cheapest. The Linksys model WRT54G is said to have the best QoS (Quality of Service.)

You come here for advice. When given you don't seem interested in following it. Follow it and all should be well. Most any router will do (stay away from Belkin and Speedstream, though.) SR has been growing at the fastest rate ever recently. While there are few problems reported (I am actually amazed that they are running as good as they are with the rate of adoption they have right now) Level 3 tech support is probably stretched thin with their time, and I really don't see what they can tell you in this case. I am pretty sure they are not allowed to recommend a certain brand of router. They will probably recommend that you get one. IMO you really should, even if you did not have any type of issue, to separate your internet traffic from your phone traffic.

Since you are up and running you may want to look at this link for the best online deals on routers, starting at $18.49 (includes shipping and taxes) for a Dlink wireless router DI-524.

Lowest priced routers