Sunrocket Comes Back as “Teleblend”??? Be careful!
According to some recent comments on my blog as well as in Sunrocket forum posts, the now defunct company Sunrocket has suddenly come back as “Teleblend”. Sunrocket customers are being offered unlimited service for $12.95 a month for the rest of their contract period, according to a recent comment.
I took a few minutes to research this company Teleblend, and here’s what I’ve found:
According to Whois.com, the domain name teleblend.net was registered by Bill Fogg of Kennebunk Maine on July 18, 2007. Evidently, right after the Sunrocket shutdown which became “official” on July 17, someone decided to quickly capitalize on this. According to many theories and comments about Teleblend on dslreports.com, it seems that Teleblend may have been created quickly by some ex-Sunrocket employees.
Another domain name used by Teleblend is MYTELEBLEND.NET, which is the redirect site that you land on when you enter the address teleblend.net. According to whois, this domain name is affiliated with a company called overgroup.com out of Florida.
Probably a Scam
Apparently, ex-Sunrocket customers are receiving spam mail (how did Teleblend get it’s hands on Sunrocket customer email addresses? That’s what I’m curious about) that advertises Teleblend VoIP service and a special deal for Sunrocket users. Forum posters who have explored the signup process with this new company “Teleblend” say that this new company doesn’t even verify credit cards at signup. To make things just a bit more fishy, some people who received the spam emails from Teleblend say that the email header indicates that the mail originated from Sunrocket.com…. Could it be that some ex-Sunrocket employees (who have to be disgruntled, don’t you think?) have gotten their hands on confidential information (including credit card information) by accessing Sunrocket’s database?
The general consensus is that the Teleblend VoIP site is probably a scam, and could potentially be a phishing site. My recommendation is to STAY AWAY from Teleblend, and don’t even click on the hyperlink in the email that’s going around.
Sunrocket Customers Should Choose a Reputable VoIP Provider
I understand that ex-Sunrocket customers might be in a state of panic right now, trying to figure out how to get their money back from Sunrocket (call your credit card company) as well as looking for a new VoIP provider who can transfer their Sunrocket phone number. Please be very careful about choosing your new broadband phone service provider, as there are a lot of folks out there who are waiting to take advantage of your situation.
- My top recommendation for “best VoIP provider” is Voip.com. In my opinion, they offer the best value for the money ($199 unlimited annual plan is “all inclusive”). Voip.com also has their own “in-house” development staff, which means they create and support their own service! They don’t outsource, and they are not a reseller – they are the “real deal”. Use Voip.com promo code LUCKY if you sign up, this will ensure you get to take advantage of the latest money saving offers!
- My number two pick for a great VoIP provider is Packet8. This company has been in the internet phone business for 20 years or so, and is considered one of the “pioneers” in the industry. Packet 8 also has a $199 annual unlimited plan, but it is not “all inclusive” – you still get a bill each month for taxes and fees. Although this monthly amount is only around $5, it equals out to about $60 more a year than equivalent service with Voip.com.
- My number three pick is Lingo, which is the best deal for those who have a need to make international calls. The Lingo unlimited plan ($21.95 a month) includes free international calling to 21 countries. If you need cheap international calling capabilities, check to see that the countries you call are included in the unlimited plan before subscribing.
Labels: best voip provider, lingo, packet8, sunrocket, teleblend, voip.com
posted by Tech Angel @ 10:40 AM
21 comments
21 Comments:
Hi Tech Angel,
Teleblend is not owned by the former SunRocket or any of its employees.
Teleblend was set up just for this transition. It is owned by Unified Communications Corp. -Though I’m not sure I’d want to use a company that was set up just for a transition!
From the Wall Street Journal:
Creditors of Failed Web-Phone Firm Reach
Customer Deal With Two Former Competitors
By SAMAR SRIVASTAVA
July 19, 2007; Page B3
Creditors of SunRocket Inc., a failed Internet phone company, have reached deals with two former competitors, 8×8 Inc. and Unified Communications Corp., that names those companies as “preferred” service providers for SunRocket’s 200,000 customers.
SunRocket customers, who abruptly lost service Monday, will not have to pay 8×8’s normal start up costs for its Packet8 service, a little over $100, according to a written 8×8 statement. The company also plans to offer one month of free service for former SunRocket subscribers who will be able to maintain their existing numbers. Unified Communications, which offers a service called Teleblend, will offer SunRocket customers a special rate of $12.95 a month for the remainder of their contracts, according to Unified’s Web site.
The two companies will pay SunRocket’s creditors, represented by Sherwood Partners LLP, an undisclosed fee for each subscriber that switches to their service. The agreement doesn’t restrict SunRocket subscribers from choosing different providers.
I've also seen Net2phone is offering to honor the SunRocket contract. It seems like the best deal to me and they seem fairly reliable since they've been around before Vonage even.
Net2Phone VoiceLine
$19.95 a month after the free period
3 Free Months for everyone at signup
Additional Months with proof of SR Contract
http://www.net2phone.com/sunrocket
It is clear the Teleblend has assumed SuRocket's infrastructure as my phone still works but dialing "0" connects me to Teleblend.
Also USATelephone (also from Kennebunk, ME with the same address) has teamed with TeleBlend.
http://www.savewithusa.com/
5 Bragdon Lane
Kennebunk, ME 04043
info@savewithusa.com
I think Lingo services seem to be good value for money. They are offering new promos for Sunrocket customers. Their special promotion for SunRocket customers located at is www.lingo.com/sunrocket.
The same thing happens to me, I am now a Teleblend customer without even signing up with them.
My greatest fear is..do they have access to our credit card information???
do not go with voip.com 1800tryvoip. they promise you a router and all you get is a adapter that doesnt work and all the cs people work from home and have access to your credit card information
Teleblend is not Sunrocket.. i whish they were as teleblend service sux totally.. i've signed up with them on 7/20 and until now i have no incoming. Filed a complaint with bbb already and disputing the charges on my cc.. they can keep my number!
The router that Voip.com sent that doesn't work is due to the fact that they got a huge shipment of defective Linksys routers.
Voip.com realizes this problem and will be repairing or replacing the routers as quickly as possible. There is a firmware issue with them. Voip.com has also mentioned that they will be issuing a credit or extending the 30 day "free trial" for those customers affected by the router issue....
If you are a former SunRocket customer and finding the best VoIP provider that can offer easy transition service and can port your number easily, then I would recommend Lingo. Lingo’s VoIP services are much better than any other expensive VoIP providers available today.
It is the right time to sign up with Lingo as this company is on the VoIP market with a handful of attractive international calling plans suitable for both business and home users. You may visit at http://www.lingo.com/shop/promotions/sunrocket.jsp to find more about their new calling packages.
DO NOT GO NEAR THIS COMPANY OR THEIR PARENT COMPANIES!!! (Unified Communications Corp. & USA Telephone)
I had Sunrocket and as suggested picked one of the two Voip's to replace Sunrocket. First they over billed me, then no long distance or voicemail, then total loss of phone service for the last THREE WEEKS on my main business number, and my second number has only limited outgoing calls. I have lost an untold amount of money, many clients and may not be able to recover my business from the loss. I would have already switched again if it would not cause further delays to port my numbers etc. and if I wasn't told many times that the problems would be corrected. I could go on and on about their problems. But just heed my warning stay away if you know what is good for you. If they ever get my service connected I will immediately switch and have my credit card company reimburse me.
I had switched away from SunRocket just before its sad demise because of its poor voice quality. I then signed up with Lingo whose voice quality is good at the moment. And I hope this quality will remain as such.
I am unable to receive inbound calls. Since I applied on July 27 2007 When calling (Household Number) it goes to a message saying that "the number has been deactivated" I had a (signutare number) with sunrocket I never signed up for this number But I can only get inbound calls to this number. I can call out with my main number but can only reached thru sunrocket signature number.
They can not fix the problem .
I have the same problem, can receive calls on signature number, and outgoing calls show the recepient my household number. No calls can be received on my household number, callers receive a "de-activated" message. Teleblend has not responded with any answers or recommendations, and the service rep asked for the MAC address, then said "oh well, it's got a ticket number". I think Jessie is retarded or something, it was like talking with a stoner. I was on hold for 45 minutes after being disconnected after holding for only 26 minutes.
I too decided to give Teleblend a go back in July, as they somehow were in possession of the SR Servers (go figure). I was promised seamless and immediate transition. As a new small business, 1 yr, I knew that it would be best to go with Teleblend as I was lead to believe that I would be able to make and receive calls without any interruption in service. Since then my business has been fuc@#$. Not only has TB not delivered on their promise of complete transition with no loss of service or features, they continue to bill me every month even tho I have not give authorization to do so. I have filed many complaints only to be told next week, next week, etc. This has gone on for 3 months now. I know that I can change to another provider at any time. Problem is that it will result in an extended period of time where my business will have no tele service for my customers and sales. I wish there was some way to reach out and grab TB by the ? and get the service promised or complete restitution for charges to date as well as the cost of lost business.
First of all, anyone who uses a VOIP service for a sole means of business communication deserves to loose "untold amounts of money" because they don't have good business sense. You are paying less than $20 for a full featured business line! You get what you pay for. Second, as far as the service being out for 3 weeks, if you had completely restarted your equipment in the proper order, it probably would have worked. Lastly, my gripe. The limited out bound is not really "no outbound" If you dial the number with the area code, it usually goes through. The other thing is that if you dial out, half the time, the other person calls back saying you called them, but they could hear nothing. Teleblend is not doing so well with the whole thing. First of all, their employees know little to nothing about the "SunRocket system" They didn't even know what signature messenger screener was! They know almost nothing about the voip service and are quite unhelpful. Some of my call completion problems may be due to Internet connection quality problems on my end. All in all, I guess for the price and the fact I was able to keep using the SR web interface to controll my features (which I am used to) coupled with being able to use the same equipment and not have to wait for my number to port, teleblend is an okay choice for now.
I too have had an ongoing problem with not having incomming phone calls. When someone calls, the phone does not ring, but goes straight to my voicemail (which when I call it, it is the Sun Rocket voice mail). I have put in 5 truble tix. and called twice and still to luck. I have now written them to cancel my subscription and have not heard from them, have been billed twice since then and they will not release my number to the new company. I am stuck with no recourse, it seems. They will not answer my phone calls, letters or emails. I will take some of the advice I have read and contact the BBB and the FCC.
Stay away from Teleblend. The support is terrible. They are still charging me monthly even though I canceled and have a cancellation number.
They are affiliated with Sunrocket in some way as anyone with an internet phone who calls me is being directed to my old Sunrocket voicemail. This after I had Voip.com complete a transfer from Teleblend.
I can say Voip.com is a little better, but nothing so far topped the service and function of Sunrocket. I would have paid more for service like Sunrocket's.
In another note, I used Vonage for another line for awhile. I found the background noise frustrating even after trying all suggestions to minimize.
I too switched to Teleblend as soon as I was notified of Sunrocket's demise. Other than little or no help from customer support, the inability to call long distance for few weeks, and no voice mail for four months, the service is exceptional. Slowly but surely
they are getting back to the level Sunrocket was at before their demise. They never let me know about the fact that they had restarted my voice mail and between that and my answering machine not engaging fast enough I have no idea how many messages I missed. But for the $12.95 a month they are charging it still beats the S--T out of ATT.
I cannot believe that anyone thinks it is OK that Teleblend has such a crappy service and continues to pay for it even if it is just 12.95 a month. After paying for one month for no service I had to cancel my credit card just to get them to stop billing me because they were not responding to my request to cancel. Now 3 months later I get a disconnection notice due to failure to pay?????? I have not given a thought to this group of bandits since I cancelled my card and notified them that I wanted to cancel, and now they want to send me this notice. And I still cannot contact a real person. I don't care if it is only 12.95, my time and lost calls and frustration is worth a whole lot more than any pidly savings.
I'm not alone!! The same thing happenned to me. We switched to Teleblend just to keep our numbers and immediately placed a port request with the local phone company. We didn't buy an alternate number, we just used the two numbers we previously ported to Sunrocket.
The service never did work right. We tried to cancel twice to no avail. Our local phone company said that they cancelled for us and when we couldn't log into our Telebend account, we thought we were through.
I haven't had any email communication from Teleblend for over four months.
Now, we received a disconnect threat and a past due notice.
We never received service! What a joke! Stay away to this very day!
Also, if you happened to join teleblend, and decided to leave b/c of their poor service, make sure to cancel your account after the number change with your new carrier. They *will* bill you until you call them to cancel the account. I've NEVER had another company do that.
Better yet, just stay away--this company will go down the drain also, b/c their service is horrible.
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