VoIP Provider SunRocket Abruptly Ceases Service
By Greg Scoblete -- TWICE, 7/17/2007
Vienna, Va. —SunRocket, the second largest pure-play VoIP provider, has shut down its telephony service.
According to a published report in Forbes, SunRocket laid off a large portion of its workforce on July 3 and its assets are being liquidated by Sherwood Partners LLC. Calls to the company were not returned. The VoIP firm’s customer service line says it is no longer accepting sales or customer service calls.
The company’s Web site does not indicate the service is shut down, and customers were not given advanced warning that their phone service would be terminated.
In April, SunRocket announced it had reached the 200,000 subscriber mark. The firm was the first to promote an annual calling plan, charging users for a full year’s worth of unlimited calling for one up front fee.
“We saw this coming a mile away,” said Adam Somer, president, American Telecom Services (ATS). His firm marketed a DECT cordless phone designed to work on SunRocket’s VoIP network. “There were problems with the new management and their systems. We began to transition our inventory over to our Lingo product line, so our exposure to this is minimal.”
SunRocket fell victim to a common start-up malady, spending more than they were making, said Stephan Beckert, Telegeography research director.
“They were looking for more funding and the investors stayed away this time,” Beckert said. While SunRocket had the second highest number of subscribers in the pure play category — which excludes cable companies — they were one-tenth the size of Vonage, the market leader, Beckert observed. In the total VoIP market, including cable companies, SunRocket had a mere 2 percent market share.
“Their growth had really begun to slow down since last year,” Beckert said. The company peaked in the second quarter of 2006, adding 46,000 lines vs. 19,000 in the first quarter of 2007, according to Beckert.
As for the company’s 200,000 or so stranded subscribers, Beckert expected most to stay within the pure-play voice camp. “These are very price-sensitive and tech-savvy customers, so I don’t expect them to go to a Verizon.”
Already, several VoIP companies are angling for SunRocket’s customers. Vonage released a statement pitching its services to SunRocket’s former customers and New York-based ViaTalk is offering a contract buy-out.
According to Telegeography there are currently 10.8 million VoIP subscribers in the United States, of which 3.5 million use a pure-play service like Vonage.
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Though the sudden shut down of SunRocket affected my business, but I cared to manage my problems by signing up with Lingo two weeks back. They ported my number very quickly than I expected. I am really pleased with their customer service and quick responses.
If you are a SunRocket victim, I would suggest you to try Lingo’s calling plans. They are now offering exciting business calling solutions for making phone call anywhere in the world. They include Business Value Plan $39.95/mo, Business Plus Plan $49.95/mo and unlimited Business Premium Plan $79.95/mo.
paula peisner - 2007-23-8 22:45:00 EDT -
Lingo offers effortless Transition for SunRocket VoIP Users after SunRocket closes its doors.
Lingo is offering a special promotion located at www.lingo.com/sunrocket that gives users a choice between two plans. The plan they prefer to sell is a monthly ChatterBox plan. The special offer is one month free, free shipping, free activation and free equipment. The other plan is Talk 365, an annual calling plan for $195. The Chatter Box promotion has proved to be of more interest to new customers.
Lingo is established and backed by Primus. More countries are included in a user’s unlimited calling plan than any other provider – 22 countries in all (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Luxembourg, Vatican City, Norway, Portugal, and Spain plus Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and South Korea. Over 20 calling features like Voicemail, Caller ID, online account management, etc.
Above all 30 day money back guarantee. It is certainly a great promotion for SunRocket customers.
Sunu Singh - 2007-3-8 05:23:00 EDT -
Has anyone signed up with any another company. I came through Lingo’s special promotion located at www.lingo.com/sunrocket that gives users a choice between two plans. I am aware Lingo is backed by Primus – one of the largest global telecom companies. The plan they prefer to sell is a monthly ChatterBox plan. It makes a mention of one month free, free shipping, free activation and free equipment. Is this a great promotion for SunRocket customers? Please advice..
Zelma - 2007-3-8 05:18:00 EDT -
Just came home from dinner and suprise suprise there was a call on my answering machine and about five minutes later my son called. My Sun Rocket is abruptly working again just as abruptly as it stopped.
I've looked on the internet and Sun Rocket's web site only mentions that they have closed down. Nothing about them re-starting.
What's going on?
Al Wynn - 2007-19-7 21:20:00 EDT -
Actually, ViaTalk is offering a contract buyout for SunRocket customers. They have unlimited plan with TWO phone lines for only $199 a year, that's ~$16 a month. More details at this link:
www.anrdoezrs.net/da74c-7w36LNORUMQOLNMQNMUST
Piter Blossman - 2007-18-7 20:22:00 EDT
American Telecom Dials In Office Depot
11/06/2006TeleBlend Snaps Up SunRocket VoIP Access
07/26/2007American Telecom Intros Two New DECT Phones
12/11/2006Thomson Joins SunRocket As VoIP Partner
12/03/2006
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