SunRocket VoIP *Everybody is reporting that this is DEAD!* (Free phones, extra number, etc.)

[stuman74]

God dammit. I wait until morning to order and the now promo is dead. I called the customer service number to order and waited on hold for 31 minutes with no help. Maybe it's a sign that I shouldn't bother with SunRocket.

Thanks astrosfan and georgepa for your responses. I was ready to order with that feedback.

 

[georgepa]

stuman-

The 2yr. deal for $199 is dead, but they still have the 15 months for $199 deal plus 2 free Uniden Speakerphones. Not too shabby.

They'll probably bring the 24 months deal back periodically throughout the year.


UPDATE on the phone deal a couple posts above: I just found that you can apply the current $10 off $40 coupon (said to be in-store) to this purchase. Clicking through the deal it took indeed $10 off the total, bringing the after-rebate cost of the phone system to $19.95. Those coupons can be bought on ebay for $1.

 

[agrall]

Anyone see any good deals on a Uniden 5.6 GHz set? I think I get occasional interference on my 2.4 Ghz set, but I like the phones themselves...

 

[laketrout]

Originally posted by: Robor
Hey, I just checked the Sunrocket site to call about my phone number being from a Virgina area code and noticed they're offering 5.8Ghz phones. When did that change? I've got the 2.4Ghz phones with mine.

Looking at this link:

GE 5.8 Ghz

I see what you mean. Looks like the annual deal is down to one phone, but a 5.8Ghz from GE. On the front page it says the phone is only available until the 7th of April.

Anyone order that yet? I assume no compatability with the Uniden. I still only see the two Uniden phone offerings under the rewards so can't tell if its a switch.

Did some GE phones fall of a truck in front of their office or something?

 

[stuman74]

Well, I went ahead and signed up for the 15 month/$199 deal. Kills me that I didn't do the 24 month yesterday, but it still seems like a good deal (and about 1/2 Vonage). I didn't see how to get the two free phones in addition, but I have phones anyway.

I'll see how it goes once I get it before transferring my current number to it.

 

[RideFree]

Just a heads-up to those with router ???s.
TomsHardware Router Chart has posted a chart on what to expect from your new router.

Here is the link to the whole article.

 

[georgepa]

stuman-

The extra phones (2 Uniden's) are an extra value you could have gotten when calling into SRs Sales Department to order. Something like "I really want to sign up for the 15 months, but a buddy of mine got that and the free phones, and I should get that, too. I am just not sure about all of this." You'll get the free phones every time. In fact, I would not be surprised if you called their SALES department, told them you just signed up but wanted the 2 phones, and they'll give it to you.

Are you familiar with the difference in features between Vonage and SR? There are a few features Vonage has that SR does not (like the failover mentioned, also Simulring) but there are a ton of features Vonage simply does not have that you may find very valuable. There was a comprehensive feature comparison in the old thread, which you may have seen. If not, I can link to it for you so you can look at a side-by-side feature comparison between the 2 services.

 

[georgepa]

stuman-

Thanks for the PM. I thought it appropriate to repost the (somewhat updated) Sunrocket to Vonage comparison for others as well, since this is a new thread about the SR offer.


SR vs. Vonage?


SR currently offers 15 months for $199, which nominally 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). All who have tried have received a free 2-phone set with this deal (from what we can see here at Anandtech and elsewhere,) so if you generally allot about, say, $35 to the phones (adjusted down because of the killer deal on a 2 Uniden phone set I linked to a few posts earlier) you come up with $164 for 15 months=$10.93 per month.

Vonage's rate is $24.95 plus additional fees and taxes of $5 (they recently added a $1 E-911 fee, even for those who don't have access to 911 as of yet) a total of about $30.00, almost $20.00 more (or $23 more 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.) vonage charges $4.95 plus $1.50 phone number charge per month for that signature line, also another $0.65 in taxes/fees. 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.

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.

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 cost.


So, the math with signature # included:

For a new startup, SR comes out to $10.93 per month or $7.93 per month (for int'l callers.)

For a new startup Vonage (with the signature line SR has) comes out to $30.00 plus $7.10 for the signature line, plus $3.33 in startup fees/shipping cost (full cost divided by 12 months) for a total of $40.43.

Make 2 calls to 411 and you crack $42 with Vonage (cost is $0.99 per call) while SR stays at $10.93 (or 7.93 as it were) because of the 2 included 411 calls.


Price is about a third for the same thing, Vonage is seriously overpriced. Add all the fees on top and SRs feature advantage......


FEATURE COMPARISON

In direct comparison SR and Vonage have a lot of the same distinctions and features. I'll touch briefly on the things that are close to the same:

Customer Service: In all fairness, Sunrocket's customer service is generally considered a weak spot. I don't use them much, as I basically self-fix, but it can be a cumbersome issue to some having to fix things with their CS. CS was placed in the Phillipines and some have reported certain language barriers. SR recently moved their SALES department back over (to CANADA) and I was told by a sales guy that all CS would reside in Canada in the future, presumably in reaction to complaints SR had received. Vonage's CS is said not to be great, either. I have read many complaints that essentially address the same things (including language barriers at times) that some had mentioned with SR. Probably a tie at this point.

Similar Features: Voice quality pretty much the same due to same voice codec used (g.711u); "Click to Call" via Contact List; Caller ID with name; 3-way Calling; Call Transfer; Call Forwarding; Call Return.


FEATURE DIFFERENCES

Vonage's basic feature list includes a few items that I wish sunrocket 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.

3. Failover

SR has a few features that Vonage does not:


1. 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.

2. Second signature number with its own mailbox included.

3. Signature Message screener - Screen messages coming into your home from any computer (even at work) and, if desired, intercept the call by forwarding it to any number before the person leaving a message hangs up. This works for both phone numbers simultaneously, on the same computer, if desired.

4. Outgoing Caller ID WITH NAME. Vonage does not display your name with your Caller ID info, SR does. In fact, with Vonage outgoing Caller ID often shows "Vonage Holdings" as the person's name instead of just "Unknown."

5. Call Blocking - With SR you can selectively block calls from numbers you define. A long requested feature for Vonage. Vonage has no call blocking whatsoever.

6. DND/Selective Forwarding - You can set SR to Do Not Disturb and get no calls, or set it to call people from your "VIP" or "Family" groups only. Nothing of the sort with Vonage.

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

8. Anonymous Call Rejection - Get rid of those anonymous calls you get on your phone.


E-911 is currently deployed in about 70% of Vonage's calling area, so it is hit or miss whether true 911 is available for someone's area. SR's coverage is basically 100% of their customer base.

__________________________________________________________________


I can see a few bucks difference here or there making one or the other feature stand out more to a person, depending on need, and being the difference maker between which provider to choose, but basically FOUR TIMES THE COST for similar service is a huge difference. If Vonage had features out the wazoo while SR was simply "dial-tone only" with very sparse features, I could kind of duplicate the thought process there. However, that is not the case.

 

[iamme]

can anyone comment on Sunrocket's international reception?

 

[stuman74]

georgepa,

thanks for the great breakdown.

Also, which adapter does Sunrocket typically ship? I see on the website there is a
AC-211 model and a InnoMedia model. Is one better than the other?

 

[SoulAssassin]

Update on $99 deal, I still have not heard back from the 'billing dept' that is supposed to be hooking up the pricing. If I don't have anything by the time I get home from work tomorrow I'm going to send an email.

 

[plasticfish]

how long does it normally take for them to ship out the gizmo?

 

[Al Z]

It took 1.5 weeks to get the gizmo to Oregon.

When it arrived, the free phones were missing (15 weeks deal). After complaining to customer service and getting transfered to sales they agreed to send the phones.

The phones were sent next day. Also, they sent 2 sets of phones (4 phones). I'm happy with their service. By the way all phones can be configured to work off of one base station.

Al Z.

 

[georgepa]

iamme-

international call quality has been excellent for me. I call several countries in Europe, also Australia.


stuman74-

You will get the Innomedia. Generally, both ATA adapters are very similar. The Innomedia is a bit more pleasing to the eye. There was also an issue with some folks where the AC-211 cut bandwidth in half. The Innomedia does not have that issue, so it probably would have to be regarded as the superior device.

 

[iamme]

very cool....just signed my parents up.

question: when should they do a transfer of their home number? after the equipment arrives and is set up? or now, since it says it can take up to 30 days?

 

[astrosfan90]

Originally posted by: iamme
can anyone comment on Sunrocket's international reception?

I love it. Clearer than any phones I've used for international, quite honestly. My father lives and works in Moscow, and previously lived and worked in Buenos Aires, so I do a fair bit of international calling. The only thing I've noticed about it is an infrequent delay, but it doesn't happen all the time and I suspect it's a product of international calls and not SR--it seems worse when I call my friend in Sydney than when I speak with my father in London or Moscow.

 

[Scarpozzi]

The way GeorgePa replies to these, it looks like he's sold on the service.

My story is somewhat different. They may be cheaper, but they're no where near the quality of Packet8. My line was constantly cutting out when I was on Sunrocket and it is a PAIN to get them to cancel. I've got Amex going after them now to refund my money.

The quality of Sunrocket was bad because of something on their end. I tried using my 6meg Comcast connection and people on the other end couldn't hear me. I could barely hear them. There was a lot of cutting out. The phones they sent me weren't as clear as my old Uniden phone... I brought my SR Box to work and tried using the service here since we have an OC12 and I was still getting poor quality. It looks like Sunrocket just needs to put in a bigger pipe on their end. I was constantly having to repeat myself and a lot of calls that should have come to my phone never did....they just ended up in my account's voicemail rather than my in-house answering machine.

I don't recommend Sunrocket unless you don't mind semi-reliable service for a great price....

 

[georgepa]

scarpozzi-

It's not just me, but a majority is happy with the service. Look at the participants of this thread, a community that has had about 40-ish or so regular contributors for over a year.

Sure, I am sold on the service. My renewal came up and I signed back up for a year instead of going elsewhere. So did virtually all who are regular visitors to this thread-community. That's definitely "sold." They are not perfect, but dammit, for $10 a month they nearly are for what I need, which is incredible in itself, IMO. Until they do wrong by me by adding ever-increasing taxes and fees (like the Vonage's and P8s of the world) or general call quality deteriorates, I intend to up with them every year until the well runs dry. It will have to eventually. There'll be a merger or buyout at some time, and things will change for the worse. Until then I intend to enjoy.

 

[astrosfan90]

Darnit. Didn't mean to post.

And yeah, Scar, I'd say that your experience is an anomaly. I've had SunRocket for a year now without any of the problems you've experienced.

 

[Robor]

Hmmm... Well I signed up for the 15 months for $200 and overnight shipping on the Gizmo. I wasn't supposed to get the 2.4 Ghz Uniden phones but a few days later they arrived anyway - minus the Gizmo. I called and they said it was shipped and delivered. Where I don't know because neither me or my neighbor got it. They said they'd send another one overnight and it took 3 days but I got it. However, when it did arrive I got another set of 2.4Ghz phones. Two days later *another* Gizmo showed up (without phones). So now I've got 2 Gizmos and 2 sets of 2.4Ghz Uniden phones.

Unfortunately, my service is even less reliable than when I left Sunrocket the first time and I refuse to call Sunrocket support again. It's a waste of time talking to support when I can't understand them and they can't understand me. The VOIP light on the Gizmo goes on and off by itself and in the 3 calls I've made using the service all 3 dropped after 10-15 minutes - including my support call. When I checked the Gizmo the VOIP light was on but I couldn't get dial tone. When I rebooted the Gizmo the VOIP light didn't come back on. I have to unplug for about 5 minutes then replug to get a VOIP light again.

Now I know there's people who will blame my network or router (WRT54G - tried 3 firmwares with the Gizmo address in the DMZ) or setup but *none* of this stuff happened with Vonage. I don't remember an outage or dropped call. I did have some issues where I'd pickup and have dead air on my side or the other side but that was few and far between. My only complaint with Vonage was the lack of outbound CallerID name and the fact that they're almost $28/month.

 

[jono8]

my outgoing caller ID has not worked for many months now... does anyone know whether this is systemic or an individual problem?

(and yes, my outgoing caller id is enabled)

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: Robor
...snip...
Now I know there's people who will blame my network or router (WRT54G - tried 3 firmwares with the Gizmo address in the DMZ) or setup but *none* of this stuff happened with Vonage. I don't remember an outage or dropped call. I did have some issues where I'd pickup and have dead air on my side or the other side but that was few and far between. My only complaint with Vonage was the lack of outbound CallerID name and the fact that they're almost $28/month.

It sounds like you do have the same problem with Vonage -- just not as frequently.
Both of your descriptions between SR and Vonage are indicative of a network continuity issue. I'm fairly confident that there are relevant settings (at least in the Telco AC-211) that could address this problem. Unfortunately, it would take a call to SR to make it happen -- which it sounds like you're unwilling to do.

Your problem could be as simple as a failing modem -- which your ISP could test online.
Or even simpler... a flakey cat5 cable.

If you give up, at least you got some phones to ebay

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: ttown

Originally posted by: Robor
...snip...
Now I know there's people who will blame my network or router (WRT54G - tried 3 firmwares with the Gizmo address in the DMZ) or setup but *none* of this stuff happened with Vonage. I don't remember an outage or dropped call. I did have some issues where I'd pickup and have dead air on my side or the other side but that was few and far between. My only complaint with Vonage was the lack of outbound CallerID name and the fact that they're almost $28/month.

It sounds like you do have the same problem with Vonage -- just not as frequently.
Both of your descriptions between SR and Vonage are indicative of a network continuity issue. I'm fairly confident that there are relevant settings (at least in the Telco AC-211) that could address this problem. Unfortunately, it would take a call to SR to make it happen -- which it sounds like you're unwilling to do.

Your problem could be as simple as a failing modem -- which your ISP could test online.
Or even simpler... a flakey cat5 cable.

If you give up, at least you got some phones to ebay

What I mean about the problems is Vonage didn't drop offline requiring me to reboot the VOIP device. Sunrocket does. I really don't think it's my network or ISP or modem. I have no connectivity issues when I run ping tests or leave a chat client logged in over a weekend (no drops or reconnects). As far as my packet loss... I was thinking about that and when I did it before I ran it from my Linux laptop over wireless. Maybe some of the packet loss was wireless related? I'll repeat it on copper from the Linux laptop and my Windows box later tonight if I get a chance.

I don't want to give up and honestly I don't expect perfection from Sunrocket. I don't mind the occasional dropped call or less than POTS clarity. With the price and features of Sunrocket it's hard to expect the service to be perfect. However, I am missing calls because the VOIP device is down and despite 2 Emails to tech support I haven't received a response to why my phone number is from Virginia when I'm in Florida. My Sunrocket Personal numbers are both 727 area code but neither work (i didn't use them but they did work when I was a subscriber before). I asked to have my current Vonage number ported over but haven't received any status by phone or Email. I know I could call Sunrocket support but the last call was an absolutely awful experience.

 

[The Batt?sai]

i just signed up. anyone know how i can get the 2 years for 199 deal? i called but they said it was only availble last saturday and sunday which isn't true cause that link worked yesterday (but i didn't have the funds until today). they did ask a supervisor and was told that. what should i do?

 

[iamme]

just got an email saying the equipment has been shipped to my parents and should arrive tomorrow.