SunRocket offers customers transition to Packet8

SunRocket, the VoIP operator that abruptly ceased operations Monday, has designated Packet8 as the preferred provider for the 200,000 customers it is giving up, Packet8 operator 8x8 announced today.

Whether that designation by SunRocket carries any weight with its abandoned customers remains to be seen. The company shut down its service under financial pressure. In addition to 8x8, VoIP providers Vonage and Nuvio were offering special deals to former SunRocket users to attract them as VoIP customers.

Packet8 has agreed to waive all regular start-up costs and offer one free month of service. SunRocket is communicating with its subscribers via e-mail and voicemail, recommending an immediate transition to Packet8, which can support SunRocket phones.

Vonage has promised two free months of service and expedited transition of phone numbers from SunRocket to its service, according to a company press release. Nuvio is also promising what it calls a “Soft Landing” package.

The voice “pure play” players are hoping to attract SunRocket customers who might otherwise turn to cable VoIP offerings, which already dominate the residential VoIP market and are moving into the SMB space.