GE did ask us to dance.

By Kim Hart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 20, 2006; Page D01

SunRocket Inc., an Internet phone upstart from Vienna, has struck a joint marketing deal with electronics giant Thomson Inc. to roll out GE-branded cordless phones capable of making calls over the Internet.

The deal announced Friday is an important one for the two-year-old SunRocket, which will provide the Internet service for the new phones.

Providers of Internet phone service, such as Vonage, SunRocket and 8x8, have been steadily attracting customers with unlimited calling plans and lower rates than traditional telephone service. But to break out, they must tap the mainstream market. All three have been trying to do that by partnering with telephone manufacturers to boost their brands' name recognition and credibility.

"It's exciting to work with a company that has such a major presence in landline phones," said Lisa Hook, SunRocket's chief executive. "The GE brand is iconic. It's like the really nerdy girl being picked to dance by the quarterback."