Travel Technology - Sunrocket going down?

It has been reported on several forums as well as some reputed technology sites. If you have the service, do not disconnect the gizmo otherwise you wont be able to get back on. Forward your number to a cell or some other phone. Take printouts of your bill etc.

For further discussion see:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=18&threadid=748582&start=0

Pretty smart of them to take a full year prepaid from people. They were letting folks signup as recent as last week.

Pretty smart of them to take a full year prepaid from people. They were letting folks signup as recent as last week.

Hopefully those folks can dispute such charges w/their credit card companies...

Hopefully those folks can dispute such charges w/their credit card companies...

Do you know how far back would credit card companies allow to dispute?

Down,

Chase just informed me I had four months to dispute, I resigned up on 3/27/07, so I MIGHT see something, or everything, or nothing.

Started the process with them.

Two other accounts are from November, so not sure on that one.

Phone is currently dead. I'm going to walk over to their offices here in Palo Alto tomorrow morning and see what is what.

I got a dial tone, but the red service light is blinking.

Oops, can't call out or receive calls. She's dead alright.

Down,

Chase just informed me I had four months to dispute, I resigned up on 3/27/07, so I MIGHT see something, or everything, or nothing.

Started the process with them.

Two other accounts are from November, so not sure on that one.

Phone is currently dead. I'm going to walk over to their offices here in Palo Alto tomorrow morning and see what is what.

Please keep us posted about your meeting or the results. My phone service is dead too.

double post. sorry . . .

Mine's dead...I'm on the phone with Amex now.

I'm only on the monthly plan, so I have a whopping $10.71 in play. But it's the effing principle - I want my ten bucks back.

I am so glad they were useless at porting my Vonage number forcing me to cancel my sunrocket trial account. 200k people are suddenly without a phone line.

Hmmm....so what's the next-best deal out there? I just need a local number to dump telemarketers into and to make 100-ish minutes per month of int'l calling out from. I'm assuming my Sunrocket number is dead and gone...

Hmmm....so what's the next-best deal out there? I just need a local number to dump telemarketers into and to make 100-ish minutes per month of int'l calling out from. I'm assuming my Sunrocket number is dead and gone...


Via talk is offering special deals for sunrocket customers. Read the thread linked in OP.

there are many deals out there for voip, but viatalk seems to be a reasonable option.

Depending on what telephone company you are with, one could get free LD for 10-15$ a month added. Or, a voip solutoin for 15-24$ a month added.

Viatalk offers many pricing plans, and also has an offer for SR customers, buy their 199$ plan for a year, and get your remainder from SR ported. Which is BASICALLY the BOGO offer they had on this AM. Bas...rdo! Nothing like jacking up the price of the lifeboat once people are IN THE WATER!!

VT also has some reasonable month to month options, for 12$ or so, so it could be a stop gap.

Porting is another issue. Some companies, won't port from level 3. So, it might be hard to get it hooked up with ATT or Verizon even IF one is signing up with their VOIP service.

At the moment, I say wait it out. I'm heading to their local office here in Palo Alto tomorrow and will report back tomorrow.

It is a bummer though. I personally, had NO problems with the service save for about 1-2 outages a year of 1-2 hours each, that I didn't really even know about. As well, I have four phones around the world that are in use. Last one was for my dad, to call his GF in Japan all the time. She has one too, so she can call HOME all the time and her family in the US. For 99$ a year, that just could NOT be beat. So, I don't plan on seeing a deal of this value for a while.

My line is still working. I just grabbed all remaining voicemail off the system, forwarded my main number to my cell, and was successful making an outgoing call to 411 for kicks.

SR served me well for over two years. I'm sad to see them go. An article I read at nytimes.com before I left the office cited an "unnamed source" that existing SR subs would be picked up by other carriers. I decided not to chance it and disputed my most recent renewal charge.

Eh, I take that back. Save that one call to 411 (which now no longer works), it's dead.

service running back up again here in Menlo Park,

INBOUND and OUTDIAL are both fine

Same here, in Maine. But then again, it's the interwebs, so if it's up at the home office, it's up everywhere.

Its working for me too... I won't disconnect anything.. and hope it works until we figure out whats going on.

news story:
http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUSN1633088920070717

Just noticed something.. the additional number I had on my account..
disappared... :( no big deal since I hardly ever used it... but you
may want to check it.

I can't believe I didn't know about this! What a bunch of crooks they are for not informing their customers ahead of the planned shutdown and giving people an opportunity to port out numbers and make other arrangements.

I will disputing the charge for my two years of service with Amex and I expect to receive a credit back. My main concern right now is preserving the phone number - does anyone have experience or knowledge of what might be involved porting a number away from Sunrocket given its current state?

Sunrocket is totally t*ts-up in KS, but at least I have my home number forwarded to my cell. Better'n nothing...

I'm up a creek with Amex :( Fair Billing Act or some similar anti-consumer nonsense restricts billing disputes to 60 days - since I paid a year in advance, I'm out the $200+ for remainder of my two year package.

Since I need to keep a basic landline, which costs $28 w/tax, and replacement VOIP through Vonage would run $19 a month with taxes and fees, it looks like the best deal is to add a few extra services to my landline and call it a day.

Viatalk will give you voip and give you credit for sunrocket time left on your account..

http://www.viatalk.com/

Viatalk will give you voip and give you credit for sunrocket time left on your account..

http://www.viatalk.com/

I believe only if you give them $200 for another year. I think I'm done giving these crooks money up front for businesses that are teetering on the brink - even Vonage is one bad day away from the end.

I'm curious what they're going to offer (the specifics)...so I'm caller number 75 on hold to speak to a rep this morning. I will post what they tell me - although it will be interesting how they handle my situation, given I have 1.5 years left on my Sunrocket agreement.

Viatalk will give you voip and give you credit for sunrocket time left on your account..



http://www.viatalk.com/

I think that deal ended at 00:00 tuesday morning, but YMMV.

what is sort of beat about vt, is that on Monday morning their deal was 1yr 199$, PLUS one year. Then, about noon the whole thing changed to 1yr 199$ and we will credit UP TO 12 MONTHS for SR accounts. (so basically 1yr)

then, at about 21:00 it changed to credit SIX MONTHS only. So, seems a bit sneaky regardless.

I'm not getting in the boat with anyone on a prepay again till the VOIP market shakes out again. At least not a 200$ 1-2yr prepay.

My Sunrocket service is still working here, didn't get down to PA yesterday, but will try for it today.

After being on hold for almost an hour, I extracted the following info from Viatalk..

1) the Sunrocket contract buy-out offer is only applicable to new prepaid accounts and only for a maximum of 6 months - they are basically screwing a captive and panicked market, and for that I won't give them any pre-paid funds. If you sign up for a pre-paid year, it is an agreement, unlike Sunrocket. Not only will they not refund any money on a pro-rated basis (like Sunrocket would), they assess a hefty cancellation penalty

2) they have month-to-month plans available, which can be billed monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually - if you do not want to front them the money, the quarterly billed plan is only $5 more than what I was paying Sunrocket (net cost), so it should be a fair deal for most

3) the same company held phone numbers for both Sunrocket and Viatalk, but ports could still take upto 30 days and ports are not guaranteed - no refunds will be given if a port fails

4) for the tech-savvy, their BYOD plans come with no connection or shipping fees - use the link that follows to unlock your Sunrocket Gizmo (no guarantees though) and you can repoint it to the Viatalk servers
http://gizmopasswords.blogspot.com/

5) someone registered a website domain for a class-action against Sunrocket and its principals - while I want to see those .......s fry like chicken mcnuggets, the website requests alot of personal information and there is no clear data on who registered the domain or who they really are - please resist the urge to give ANYONE personal information over the phone or via a website regardless of who they claim to be

6) before any lawsuits are filed, you can still contact the FCC and demand they take action against Sunrocket and its principles for the way in which they terminated service (including 911 access) without notice and failed to make arrangements to transition customers to alternate carriers, provide notice to customers so they could make alternate arrangements, and failed to provide access to 911 emergency services or informed customers that access to emergency services would be unavailable as of a certain date. You may contact the FCC commissioners directly at the following email addresses:
Chairman Kevin J. Martin: KJMWEB@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: Jonathan.Adelstein@fcc.gov
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate: dtaylortateweb@fcc.gov
Commissioner Robert McDowell: Robert.McDowell@fcc.gov

Here is the text of an email I am about to send them:

I am writing the Commission to request that swift and decisive action be taken against the corporate principals of the former VOIP provider, Sunrocket. Although the FCC does not regulate the VOIP market or its service providers, the behavior of this corporation and its principals has gone beyond a simple loss of phone service and is akin to reckless endangerment - many of the 200,000 affected customers have lost their only access to Emergency 911 service and now have no way of knowing when or why their service was disrupted and may not be able to summon emergency response if needed.

It is incumbent upon this Commission to protect the interests of these affected customers and ensure a precedent is set so other providers of VOIP services understand that they cannot demonstrate a complete lack of regard for the safety and wellbeing of customers who rely on these services to connect them to emergency response. In addition, in clear violation of federal law, Sunrocket continues to advertise the availability of products and services on its website and permits prospective customers to sign-up for new service (although the process does not fully complete) - the company continues to demonstrate a wanton disregard for its customers by not providing any messaging to inform customers of its shutdown, provide information on alternate services or advise customers their access to 911 services is no longer working. I can only hope that none of Sunrocket's 200,000 customers required emergency services and were unable to summon help due to this sudden and unannounced permanent outage.

Please take swift and decisive action in concert with other appropriate agencies to secure the assets and persons of the principals of this company and prepare to draft a policy for the remainder of the market participants to prevent something like this happening again.

Thank you

Chairman Kevin J. Martin: KJMWEB@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: Jonathan.Adelstein@fcc.gov
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate: dtaylortateweb@fcc.gov
Commissioner Robert McDowell: Robert.McDowell@fcc.gov

Here is the text of an email I am about to send them:

I am writing the Commission to request that swift and decisive action be taken against the corporate principals of the former VOIP provider, Sunrocket. Although the FCC does not regulate the VOIP market or its service providers, the behavior of this corporation and its principals has gone beyond a simple loss of phone service and is akin to reckless endangerment - many of the 200,000 affected customers have lost their only access to Emergency 911 service and now have no way of knowing when or why their service was disrupted and may not be able to summon emergency response if needed.

It is incumbent upon this Commission to protect the interests of these affected customers and ensure a precedent is set so other providers of VOIP services understand that they cannot demonstrate a complete lack of regard for the safety and wellbeing of customers who rely on these services to connect them to emergency response. In addition, in clear violation of federal law, Sunrocket continues to advertise the availability of products and services on its website and permits prospective customers to sign-up for new service (although the process does not fully complete) - the company continues to demonstrate a wanton disregard for its customers by not providing any messaging to inform customers of its shutdown, provide information on alternate services or advise customers their access to 911 services is no longer working. I can only hope that none of Sunrocket's 200,000 customers required emergency services and were unable to summon help due to this sudden and unannounced permanent outage.

Please take swift and decisive action in concert with other appropriate agencies to secure the assets and persons of the principals of this company and prepare to draft a policy for the remainder of the market participants to prevent something like this happening again.

Thank you

Great email... Would you mind offering this template to everyone so that they can just send the email and copy it to everyone on the list above.

Great email... Would you mind offering this template to everyone so that they can just send the email and copy it to everyone on the list above.

I think it's only going to get traction if alot of people send something. I have no problem with folks using that email as a template, but it might be better if each person customize it abit so the Commissioners don't get exactly the same email from hundreds or even thousands of people (if word spreads).

If anyone has posting rights at fatwallet.com, feel free to post a link to this thread there, or repost my email so folks over there can start taking some action and spreading the word.

Whoa. By coincidence, I just ported the number I use from SR to Vonage. The one I don't use is still on SR but I can't call it.... "All circuits are busy"

Very much in the news today, too:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701799.html?hpid=sec-tech
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/18/technology/18sunrocket.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/07/18/sunrocket-shuts-down.aspx

I think it's only going to get traction if alot of people send something. I have no problem with folks using that email as a template, but it might be better if each person customize it abit so the Commissioners don't get exactly the same email from hundreds or even thousands of people (if word spreads).

If anyone has posting rights at fatwallet.com, feel free to post a link to this thread there, or repost my email so folks over there can start taking some action and spreading the word.

I have posted your email and your reference at FW. http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=18&threadid=748582&start=980

I have posted your email and your reference at FW. http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=18&threadid=748582&start=980

Thank you :) I sent the email out to the FCC commissioners about 30 minutes ago. I will post any responses I receive.

Whoa. By coincidence, I just ported the number I use from SR to Vonage. The one I don't use is still on SR but I can't call it.... "All circuits are busy"

At the moment, my SR service is still working for both inbound and outbound calls. I don't think there's anything actionable until the service actually stops functioning. That's only a matter of time, though.

The calls are working on Sunrocket in limited area. I know they are not working for me, even after power cycling the gizmo. I am on wait and see mode but thanks for the links to the FCC

Has anyone ever heard of Vonics? They are offering a $13/mo plan for 500 minutes and no contract terms.

well...kinda...


Dear Consumer,

Thank you for contacting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This is an automated message to confirm that we have received your correspondence. We will review your information to determine how we can best serve you.

If you need to send additional information, you may reply back with this email, leaving the case number (example: CIMS0123456789) in the subject line, or contact us at our toll free phone number 1-888-Call-FCC (1-888-225-5322) and reference the case number.

The Federal Communications Commission

Got an email from SR this morning...

Dear Customers,

After significant effort by the Company to avoid this result, SunRocket is in the process of closing its operations and therefore will no longer be able to provide you with the phone service that you have been accustomed to. However, this email provides you with an opportunity to sign up with select service providers who we believe will offer outstanding replacement service

In order to assist you, we have entered into negotiations with a number of service providers. As a result of those negotiations, we have entered into agreements with 8x8, Inc., provider of the Packet8 service, and Unified Communications Corp., provider of Teleband service to offer you the best options and we are proud to recommend the following alternatives to you. Please make your decision to move to a new service provides immediately as future service is uncertain.


Followed by info on how to transfer my service to two other providers I've never heard of. I think Vonage is going to be the big winner here.

I think I am going with the 12.95 teleblend offer. It appears that someone there has just taken over the SR accounts, and systems. Since, well, there is no change out of equipment, they have ALL my information in their system already and service will just continue as is hass

Same T&C's to the LETTER essentially, and 3.00$ a month international credit. It appears, someone managed to sell the assets out, and carry on the service.

Other best options are net2phone.com, which is allowing a credit of up to 12 months of SR service, users only pay the 39$ activation and shipping charge, numbers will be ported over, no additional charges or fees for the remainder of you SR contract up to 12 months.

Not a bad deal either.

I'm just going to add unlimited LD on the home phone with ATT for 12.00 a month, and use the teleblend just to port my office number for a period of months. I won't have the free LD, but with onesuite I can manage the .02-.03$ cpm to europe, china, japan, etc.

WOW. Teleblend looks absolutely terrible. Bad website and their answer to the FAQ "who are we" says " we are teleblend".

How they think they can provide unlimited service for $12.95 is beyond me. Vonage can't do it, and Sunrocket clearly couldn't do it either.

It looks like Teleblend is part of some tiny Maine CLEC called "USA Telephone".

From the discussion on Fatwallet it would seem like most people are "a little" suspicious about Teleblend, and rightfully so IMHO.

Before today there was NOTHING on the web about "teleblend", so they have no history, no experience and clearly were just setup. Smells fishy.

I've yet to receive an email from SR.

From the discussion on Fatwallet it would seem like most people are "a little" suspicious about Teleblend, and rightfully so IMHO.

Before today there was NOTHING on the web about "teleblend", so they have no history, no experience and clearly were just setup. Smells fishy.

It looks like SunRocket closed the shop and opened another in the
name of Teleblend.

The use of the "SunRocket logo" and the offer "Got Vonage" gives it up.


Could this be a conspiracy???

the teleblend's IPs are registered under:

OrgName: United Systems Access
OrgID: USA-40
Address: 5 Bragdon Lane
Address: Suite 200
City: Kennebunk
StateProv: ME
PostalCode: 04043-7262
Country: US

From what I've gathered from the Fatwallet discussion, here is a reference post about Teleblend from Fatwallet....

Date Posted: Jul/19/2007 8:16 AM
Rating: +1

TeleBlend update: Okay, I just got off of the phone with an apparently knowledgable CSR at "TeleBlend" in an Arizona call center. They were all just informed that they would begin taking calls for TeleBlend this morning (5:00am PST). Basically, United Communications Corp has taken over the SR infrastructure (as they have done previously with other small telecos) and are attempting to staff CSRs (already preset in the call center) and also get some IT folks to staff the infrastructure. They were all presented with a 2 page FAQ to take calls today. At least I am now comfortable that this is not a scam, but rather an attempt by United Communications to absorb another small Teleco and make some $$ using their existing call center in Arizona. The TeleBlend website was just created since this is really a new business unit of United Communications Corp. I thought that I would post this info for those interested ... and since I waited on the phone for 10 minutes this morning to speak to someone at TeleBlend. I fortunately still have some marginal SR phone service working in Cleveland, OH. The CSR could not tell me exactly when the IT staff (tech support) would be fully in place

I have a Sunrocket number that I don't even have a phone attached to -- I just use it as a voicemail catcher. You guys have any suggestions as to some other service to replace that? All I want to do is record a VM greeting, get a text message or email when I have voicemail, and call to hear the VM. Hearing the VM played on my computer is a nice feature but not required.

TIA

I have a Sunrocket number that I don't even have a phone attached to -- I just use it as a voicemail catcher. You guys have any suggestions as to some other service to replace that? All I want to do is record a VM greeting, get a text message or email when I have voicemail, and call to hear the VM. Hearing the VM played on my computer is a nice feature but not required.

TIA

grandcentral.com

Doesnt grandcentral need invitation. Any one have any?

grandcentral.com

any way to transfer the number to Grand Central?

any way to transfer the number to Grand Central?


no, there is no way to transfer to GC, I am sorry I didn't see that as a requirement in your post.

After a series of calls and escalations, I was finally able to open a dispute case with Amex over Sunrocket. No guarantee about the outcome, but if Packet8 and the other company are buying SR's assets, that should include credit card liabilities, and thus they should get hit with the chargebacks.

no, there is no way to transfer to GC, I am sorry I didn't see that as a requirement in your post.

I didn't put in the original request.. but I thought I might ask.

thank you.

Just got of phone with citi bank. They said they can dispute the charges but will only give prorated refund on the amount. The dispute agent was well aware of Sunrocket and said they might be able to recover the prorated funds from the liquidating agency or whatever. According to him, there is no way they can recover funds before July.

The way sunrocket account was set up was pay for the first year and the second year is free. Technically they can argue that the second year was complimentary so there is no value to the claim and they might not refund the amount at all.

After a series of calls and escalations, I was finally able to open a dispute case with Amex over Sunrocket. No guarantee about the outcome, but if Packet8 and the other company are buying SR's assets, that should include credit card liabilities, and thus they should get hit with the chargebacks.

Normally, when a company buys just the assets, they do so to specifically avoid liabilities.

I can personally attest that I've been involved in "asset purchases" where we bought every asset the company had -- furniture, phones, computers, patents, intellectual property, buildings, etc. but specifically did not purchase the corporate entity precisely for concerns of liabilities.

Steve

Just for information... my sunrocket is back to life after 3 days. Wondering whats going on. Do you think that they might be giving the network a temporary life so that they can call to solicit transfer to packet 8? I believe there were reports that sunrocket liquidators will encourage users to switch thru emails and phone lines.

So, my service has never really gone out, but me thinks it has more to do with Teleblend simply turning everything back up, and getting the gizmos working as they try to port people over the their service. I think they have done an asset purchase, since well, there is nothing to do but switch to them - and you're done.

Easier and simpler to turn everyone up for now, and filter out the ones that don't switch out in a little while. Makes the viral buzz better too.

So, my service has never really gone out, but me thinks it has more to do with Teleblend simply turning everything back up, and getting the gizmos working as they try to port people over the their service. I think they have done an asset purchase, since well, there is nothing to do but switch to them - and you're done.

Easier and simpler to turn everyone up for now, and filter out the ones that don't switch out in a little while. Makes the viral buzz better too.

Can you dial international calls? Since my service came back up, i logged into my account to take printout of my invoices. There were none. Now i am not able to log back in. I tried to make an international call, but seems like i had blocked them earlier or they are blocked by sunrocket. Anyone?

My phone is still working. Wondering if i should go ahead and move service to Teleblend or someone else. Any suggestions? Any one heard of company called Joiphone.com. Found there ads on Google. But not sure about them since never heard of them before.

Anyone seen that the net2phone deal is getting better?

If you have the innomedia adapator, apparently you can sign up for free essentially, and get up and running fast.

http://www.net2phone.com/sunrocket/innomedia.htm

in the email today from Sunrocket:


We urge each and every customer that has not signed up with a new service provider to immediately do so now. Do not delay as services are being discontinued and will be permanently shut down no later than August 5, 2007.

Email from SunRocket today contained this:Thank you for being a loyal SunRocket member. From time to time we like to check in to hear how you are doing with the service and to learn where we can improve. We sincerely value your business and strive to ensure that your experience is a great one. Please click below to take a short survey and provide your valuable input. :confused: I guess they forgot to turn off something...

Email from SunRocket today contained this::confused: I guess they forgot to turn off something...

Look at the bright side.. you are still a valued customer :D

FWIW, Amex just informed me that my dispute of the Sunrocket bill for by second year of service (billed a couple of weeks before they went under) has been resolved in my favour. I hope others disputed their charges too.

Amex did some type of calculation, resulting in a partial, although substantial refund of most of what I paid, although not all.

On the other hand, I was just sent a letter offering the chance to sign up as a creditor. I probably won't get a cent, but it might be worth the price of postage just to try it.

I had charged my subscription to Discover, and they were apparently successful in cancelling the charge as well. Since SunRocket technically doesn't owe me anything anymore, I tossed the creditor letter . . . didn't think I'd have a leg to stand on.

I still have a SunRocket Gizmo, though. Is it good for anything?

I still have a SunRocket Gizmo, though. Is it good for anything?You can unlock it (http://gizmopasswords.blogspot.com/) and use it with a different provider.

You can unlock it (http://gizmopasswords.blogspot.com/) and use it with a different provider.

I'm not likely to jump back into a VOIP service subscription anytime soon. Is there anything else it's good for? :D

If, for example, my (small) corporate office on the west coast elected to install a VOIP based telephone system, could I use the Gizmo as a terminal for an "extension line" in my home office on the east coast?

If, for example, my (small) corporate office on the west coast elected to install a VOIP based telephone system, could I use the Gizmo as a terminal for an "extension line" in my home office on the east coast?Yes. It should be able to be used like that. I've unlocked my gizmo but I've not used it for anything as the provider I moved to supports my direct use of Asterisk (http://www.asterisk.org/) and I've now got a bunch of VOIP phones. If they do install a VOIP system make sure that it can handle standard SIP clients. There are a number of proprietary systems out there.