Phone service for less than $17 a month
SunRocket
- How long have you had VOIP?
Looking at my records I signed up on Apr 30, 2005.
- Why did you go VOIP?
At the time I signed up I was getting a little tired being nickel and dimed by BellSouth each time my kids talked to a friend 30 miles away but who was not quite in my calling area. The rates for those calls were considerably more than long distance rates. I'd heard about VOIP and decided to research.
- So is VOIP a long distance plan?
No. It's complete phone service. And, you keep your phone number. Though if you make a lot of long distance calls and prefer not to lose your traditional phone service it may even be cost effective to use it as a long distance plan. If you're technically inclined and want to know more about the technology, google "VOIP introduction". In a nutshell it's making phone calls over the internet using the very phones you have in the same rooms you currently have them.
- How much does it cost?
Like just about any service cost varies widely depending on the provider of the service. The only requirement is that you have a broadband internet connection. If you subscribe to a cable bundle, see how much it would cost to add the cable company's "digital phone" (or whatever they call their VOIP phone service). The service is also offered by independent companies, the best known being Vonage. With Vonage, $24.99 + taxes and fees (it's best to call them to find out the bottom line as those taxes and fees keep increasing) gives you local phone service and unlimited long distance. Their home page should provides the latest details.
- $27-$28 is how much I pay my telephone company and I don't make a lot of long distance calls. So what's the big deal?
Firstly, VOIP service (once again, it can be used as complete phone service to replace your local service) can be had for a lot less. Secondly, you get a lot more features.
- I'm confused. I thought you said Vonage cost about 30 bucks. How is that a "lot less"?
I had Vonage for a year. I had their unlimited plan and was paying $27.xx in early 2006 (I hear the taxes and fees have since increased and it's about 30 bucks a month at present) for their $24.99 plan. After a year I switched to SunRocket. I paid $199 for their 12 month plan. No setup, shipping or any other fees. Plus they gave me two cool cordless phones as a gift. $199 / 12 works out to less than $17 a month. And, in my judgement, I get superior features. If you look at SunRocket's web-page, they typically have specials - often it's 3 months free (so $199 / 15 is approx $13 a month). I consider $17 or $13 "a lot less" than $27-28 :-). Since I wrote this item things have changed. All phone companies are now required to charge a USF fee which SunRocket charges. However, if you call both companies and compare you'll find the taxes + fees less with SunRocket than with Vonage.
- What do you mean by "a lot more features"?
It's probably simplest to give examples. For the $199, I get unlimited calling to any number in the US + Canada. I also get a $3 monthly credit for international calls (worth 100 minutes to 30+ countries; worth less minutes to others). Remember I started down this path because I was being nickel and dimed when the kids called 30 miles away. As far as features proper. You get most of the common ones which my local phone company charged for: 3-Way Calling, Call Forwarding, Caller ID with Name, Call Return and Call Waiting with Caller ID. And some features, I'm not even sure my local phone company offered, e.g. Call logs. I can view a complete (on the web) log of all calls - incoming, outgoing and missed! Other interesting features are: SimRing, Click to Call, Contacts, Distinctive Rings, Do Not Disturb, Find Me and Speed Dial.
- What's this about a second number?
The $199 includes a second phone number (this is no longer true - it now costs and additiona $3 a month). Say you have family in Florida. If you choose to, you can get a number which is local to them (e.g., in area code 407) and when they call that local number your phone will ring with a distinctive ring (if you've so configured it). You can get the second number in your own area code - which is what we've done. We use it for calling home - when we hear that distinctive ring we know it's a family member calling and those phone calls are always answered. Or, you can assign it to your kids so you'll know when the kids' friends are calling them. I'm sure you can figure other uses for the second number
- You haven't mentioned VoiceMail!
The $199 includes Voicemail - you can listen to your voicemail messages on the phone, online or via email. You can also get voicemail notifications sent to your cell phone, email address or even to your Instant Messenger account so that you can easily manage your voicemails. The second number has it's own mailbox. Or, you can disable voicemail and use your old answering machine if you so choose. Naturally, each number can be individually configured.
- I'd like to learn more about some of the features you've mentioned. Where do I go?
Start at http://www.sunrocket.com/features/built-in/. Once you've read those on this page, click the various links in the left pane to visit Enhanced Voicemail, Account Management, Blocking Features and Directory Assistance.
- What if I don't want to risk $199?
I understand how you feel. Since I had Vonage for a year before switching, I felt comfortable with the technology. I'd also researched SunRocket (click here for a article from mid-June 2006). You can always start with their unlimited plan (still cheaper than Vonage, since SunRocket's fees are less than Vonage's taxes and fees) and once you're convinced the service is working for you switch to the $199 plan.
- I'm concerned about voice quality!
One thing to keep in mind is that your upload bandwidth is typically a lot lower than your download bandwidth. As such, the best test of voice quality is talking to someone who has the service as when you do that you're stressing their upload bandwidth. I'll be happy to talk with you and you can judge for yourself what the service sounds like - I feel an actual demo beats any words. Send your phone number to RussellCary@gmail.com and good times to call.
- Don't you have a vested interest?
Yes, I do. If you use me as a referral, I get "rewards". If you decide to join, call the toll-free number, get the deal of the day (it periodically changes) and after you've locked your deal mention that you'd like to give my number as a referral. You can even call a day or two later if you forget to give my number when you sign up. Please note: only give me the referral if it doesn't cost you in any way. Yes, you'll need my telephone number as the referral number - send me email at RussellCary@gmail.com and I'll send you my number. Also, I play an active role in the leading SunRocket user group and I'll be happy to help you with any questions and configuration issues at your end.
- How stable is this phone service?
Any VOIP service is only as stable as the weakest link. The factors you should concern yourself with if you want to use this as your primary phone service: - How stable is your power? At my location, we rarely lose power. Plus, I have a $20 UPS for my broadband connection and VOIP adapter so in the event that I both lose power and want to make a call, I can. Plus, there is at least one working cell-phone at home (do note all cell-phones can call 911 even if they do not have a plan).
- How stable is your internet connection? Only you can answer this. I get broadband over cable from Time Warner and that has been remarkably solid.
- How stable is your VOIP provider? SunRocket has not been perfect, but considering the amount I pay and the features I get, I feel I'm getting my money's worth. I know of a co-worker who has left Vonage because of issues; I also know of a co-worker who has left SunRocket.
- Are there 911 issues?
Please research this issue with any provider you signup with. In the case of SunRocket you can visit their 911 page for details. An excerpt from that page: "SunRocket provides all new members Enhanced 911 service at no extra charge. SunRocket was the first VoIP company to provide Enhanced 911 as an automatic benefit with any service plan. The safety of our members is important, and we have built a network that supports the most sophisticated 911 technology currently available to the VoIP industry."