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SunRocket’s LaunchKit Makes Adding VoIP Easy
Simple Gizmo Works With POTS Gear
by Daniel P. Dern (dern@pair.com)
Vendor: Sunrocket, Inc. Product Name: Internet Phone Service Launch Kit Price (MSRP): Kit $39.95; VoIP service starting at $9.95/month Availability: Now Product URL: https://www.sunrocket.com/sign_up/signup.do?tcd=webfycx
Tech Requirements: Broadband; POTS phone; PC (for set-up)
Third-party VoIP — Voice over IP — is catching on as a possibly-cheaper
alternative to telco/cableco phone service…if you’ve already
got broadband Internet service.
Along with Vonage, Bell-spawn like Verizon, and DSL/cable broadband providers, SunRocket Inc. is one of the many companies offering
VoIP landline service for consumers. SunRocket service starts at $9.95/month (for 200 minutes), or unlimited US/Canada/Puerto Rico calling for $24.95/month or $199/year — including fees and taxes, if I understand correctly.
SunRocket uses a small Linksys “Gizmo” router/VoIP adapter. It works with POTS phones and wiring,
SunRocket’s new $39 LaunchKit (possibly free, depending on current promotions) — includes a Gizmo,” cables and simple instructions
is intended to makes for a quick, simple install. (A “Dummies”
guide will be in kits too, soon.)
I was able to sign up online, and then install the LinkSys “Gizmo” VoIP-adapter router quickly. The Gizmo goes either between
your cablemodem and home router, or “behind,” plugging into an Ethernet port on your home router. Note, the Gizmo doesn’t work behind some routers (like the D-Link I have, of course) but I got it to work directly-attached to my cablemodem.
And placed behind a new Linksys WRT-54G router, it connected and is working fine.
Once configured via my PC (you’ll need Javascript!), I got dial-tone
on one of my spare POTS phones.
Outgoing call quality is indistinguishable from POTS, so far. Within 48 hours (of a possible 10 days), the number was receiving incoming calls.
You start with a new phone number, but can migrate your existing one to SunRocket. In addition to the usual enhanced POTS-type services, SunRocket offers Internet features like getting voice messages
via Web, or .wav files in email,
Part of SunRocket’s appeal will be for anyone making ad-hoc or regular international calls. You get good per-minute rates for countries you hadn’t anticipated calling — try doing that with your regular telco! — and great international rates, including three cents/minute by default to their “SunSpots” group of 30 countries and 11 international cities. (Unlimited international calling plans also available.)