http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 10:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 10:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 21st 2007 7:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Aug 1st 2007 12:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Aug 1st 2007 12:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 18th 2007 12:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 10:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Hmmm. 200,000 / 6,700,000,000 = 2.985e-5.

Even if you want to limit it to just the US:
200,000 / 300,000,000 = 6.66e-4.

I think he speaks for everyone near enough that it makes no difference.

Sucky thing, though. I know some people who worked there.
]]>Jul 17th 2007 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 6:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 11:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
Many of my friends (including me) have already dropped their land line completely in favor of mobile phone (which has no long distance charges at all, anyway). VOIP is used mainly to call abroad, and VOIP calling cards work great with mobile phones for that purpose.

I think, the only way a standalone VOIP industry can survive is to couple with a mobile phone, but telcos will not allow that in the nearest future. Not until 3G is widespread, at least.

So those companies like SunRocket and Vonage are subject to extinction, IMHO.

Just my 2 cents :)]]>Jul 17th 2007 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 11:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
The bigger problem is that Vonage is teetering on the edge too. This will reduce competition and the TELCOs and Cable Cos will continue their high charges.

In reality Sun Rocket and even Via Talk are probably feeling the impact of a flawed business plan that didn't really anticipate true costs. The revenue stream just isn't enough to handle the expenses. Pretty simple business.

I plan on not getting another provider and trying to go solo with my cell. We'll see.]]>Jul 17th 2007 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 10:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 10:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 10:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
I did have a problem trying to port my number and am so glad I was too busy (and too lazy) to keep trying. Since I eventually wanted to port my number, I kept my Vonage account active, and man, procrastination does friggin pay off sometimes! :-D

Now, as for the matter of the $99 that I had paid for one year of service, am pretty sure that's gone with no course for reprieve. Of course, am not going to let it go that easily, but if they declare bankruptcy, there's no option really.

I guess it's just a matter of time before Vonage succumbs too. ]]>Jul 17th 2007 10:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
"The number you are calling is invalid, please call repair service."

I just switched from Vonage a month ago! I wonder if they'll still process number portouts?]]>Jul 17th 2007 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 18th 2007 3:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/However my first choice was going to be Packet 8. But they didn't offer any Iowa phone numbers. I still believe that they don't offer any numbers in Iowa since they have no agreements with local carriers here.

Packet 8 has been around for a pretty long time. If I had to choose, I would choose Packet 8. Most of the others that I've run across since reading about Sun Rocket I've not even heard of before.

Also I hope that at least a handful of smaller VOIP providers stay afloat. If I had to choose between a regular copper line (which I hate with a passion) or the Cable company VOIP (Mediacom). I would choose copper.
The cable company VOIP cost as much as copper ($40. a month). You cannot have any additional lines, there's no such thing as virtual numbers, and there were other things, that I can't remember right now, that I asked about that they don't provide. It seemed like a total rip off. ]]>Jul 17th 2007 10:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 10:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 11:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 11:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
But main Street's still all cracked and broken!!]]>Jul 17th 2007 11:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 12:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 12:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 11:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
I used a debit card so I'm not protected under credit card safeguards. What should I attempt to do to get a refund? Any thoughts?]]>Jul 17th 2007 11:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
Nothing gives the personal touch quite like hired goons. ]]>Jul 17th 2007 11:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 12:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 21st 2007 5:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 11:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
I was a strong supporter of SunRocket. This really ticked me off. I have a call into my bank and it seems I'm going to get my money back.]]>Jul 17th 2007 12:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 19th 2007 10:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 4:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/But I just got off the phone with Visa and they are fully aware of the issue with SunRocket and they were more than happy to dispute the charge for the remaining time I have left on my contract, and they said it shouldn't be a problem to get a credit for 3/4th of the original charge, as what would be remaining on my contract.]]>Jul 17th 2007 12:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 12:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
Personally, I run with Vonage, but its not a very comfortable ride with all the negative VoIP news.

Verizon must be licking its chops. ]]>Jul 17th 2007 12:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 18th 2007 12:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
Here's a clip from a local news story covering the sudden shutdown yesterday: "All of a sudden the calls went away and it was dead air and all of our phones were dead and several hundred people are standing up in the building saying, ‘What's going on?’”

http://www.ky3.com/news/8534842.html

Good luck getting any help at all if you paid for their service–looks like they're gone.]]>Jul 17th 2007 12:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
I have had absolutely no problems with the Sunrocket service for the past 3 years or so. It's very disappointing that after such good service, they couldn't send out an email to notify their customers.]]>Jul 17th 2007 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/]]>Jul 17th 2007 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/Jul 17th 2007 1:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/How sad. I just lost my SunRocket connection an hour ago during a converation and then to read the bad news. I am an established business person that had transferred my main number to Sun Rocket. This is a disaster and shall probably cost me $10,000 or more for sure.

These CEO's need to go to jail ..with the bad guys!]]>Jul 18th 2007 11:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/sunrocket-silently-calls-it-quits-abandons-voip-biz/
https://www.callvantage.att.com/

It's not as cheap as Sunrocket/Viatalk, but about the same as Vonage's unlimited plan. And a friend of mine who has it likes it a lot. It also seems it's a little less likely to disappear, since as much as AT&T sucks, they're probably not going anywhere any time soon.]]>Jul 17th 2007 1:35PM