vonage VOIP Sun Rocket broadband phone review
If you are thinking about trying a VOIP phone service, you are on the verge of a new level of freedom to pick up the phone and call the world. This is an ideal time to learn your options and choose a provider that will treat you well. To compare Sun Rocket with other providers see my broadband phone comparison.
If you are located in the USA read this review instead.
Sign up for Sun Rocket online - click here
Quality
SunRocket is one of the newer broadband phone providers, and they are trying to grow into a major player by offering great value for your money. On the downside, Sun Rocket users have experienced problems with the quality of service. It's typical for broadband phone providers to start out with great services and pricing, but then they have a rocky period when they aren't able to keep up with their own rapid growth. That's why I tend to suggest a more mature provider like Packet8 (see review here).
Having said, SunRocket does have a large number of satisfied customers, and the service seems to be getting better. It may be a risk, but if you choose Sun Rocket you may be very pleased with the service and value. If you don't like the service, you can always take advantage of the money back guaranteee. Just be sure to read the conditions and save all the original packaging.
None of the broadband phone services are perfect. The technology has come a long way, but it's still developing. You should expect a phone service to work at a high level of quality at least 99 percent of the time.
Features
Sun Rocket comes many features, as you should expect from a broadband phone provider. You get voicemail, call forwarding, 3-way conference calling, call waiting, and more. Sun Rocket also has a "Find Me" feature. That means if you don't answer your phone at the normal location (e.g., if your adapter is not plugged into a live Internet connection), then the service will forward the call to another number (e.g., a cell phone or land line). If you're using the service for business, this feature is very practical. Packet 8 includes this feature (Call Hunting), but only in their more expensive business service.
Sun Rocket is the only service featured here that supplies two local phone numbers with the basic service. You can have each local number in the US area code of your choice and give them unique voice mail messages. That means anyone living in those local calling areas can dial these numbers for free and talk with you anytime.
You also have unlimited free calling with other Sun Rocket users.
All the other services give you one local number in the USA, and they charge at least $4/mth to add more numbers. Including a second number in the package is a significant value and a good reason to consider giving Sun Rocket a try. It's also cheap to add additional local numbers at just $3/month each.
SunRocket does not offer US toll free numbers. Maybe they will add that sometime in the future.
All broadband phone services are portable. When you travel or visit friends, take your adapter and plug it into a high speed Internet connection and you can make and receive phone calls as usual.
Service Plans and Pricing
SunRocket is the only service featured here that supplies two local phone numbers with the basic service. You can have each number in the US area code of your choice and give them unique voice mail messages.
Individual/Family Users
For $24.95 per month get unlimited calling within the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico. You also get a second local number in the area code you choose. Sun Rocket even gives you a $3 credit for international calling each month, and you always have unlimited talk time with other Sun Rocket users.
For $199 annually get all the above for less than $17/month! This is the best deal of all the services featured here. If you cancel in the middle of the year SunRocket will give you a prorated refund.
For just $9.95 per month Sun Rocket has a budget plan with 200 minutes to the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico. Maybe you think 200 minutes isn't enough time, but consider: you get Sun Rocket's super cheap international rates and unlimited calling to/from other Sun Rocket users. I'm sure this plan is the ideal choice for many people reading this review.
International Users
Sun Rocket provides service for people living outside the USA. The Internet doesn't recognize international boundaries. Just plug your adapter into a high speed Internet connection anywhere in the world and the service should function as usual. If you read the "Terms and Conditions," it says you can use the service worldwide at your own risk, but it's intended for use in the USA. It sounds like they are just worried about liability and/or providing support for international users. I wouldn't worry about using the service worldwide, but I suspect they only deliver adapters to US addresses.
Business Users
Business users are discouraged from signing up. Sun Rocket warns that they may terminate accounts with extremely high volume usage (presuming either that the service is being used for business and/or being resold or shared). See the "Terms and Conditions" for more. You can, of course, use the service for business calls at your own discretion.
If you need a business broadband phone service, you may also want to read my Packet 8 review.
User experience
Sun Rocket has many customers who are very pleased with the service and rates, but they have had some problems with quality and downtime. This is still a relatively new company, and these are apparently just growing pains. If you really want to have a smooth experience, you should consider one of the more experienced providers (see here). If you are willing to take a chance with Sun Rocket, though, you may end up with a great value.
Conclusions
Sun Rocket wants to be a major broadband phone service provider, and they want to be known as the provider with the best overall value. I'm really quite impressed by their plans and features, but I'm also concerned about some of the technical problems and customer service issues they have had.
I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and say these are growing pains. People have reported improvements, and many have been using the service with no trouble at all. Again, if you are willing to take a chance and perhaps put up with any remaining bumps in the road, you may find that Sun Rocket is exactly what you wanted.
Use the link below to learn more and sign up. You get a 31 day trial period with a money back guarantee. Read the conditions and carefully save the original packaging just in case.
Rated: 3/5