I’m thinking of getting my own cable modem (because I’m tired of getting crappy ones from Comcast). This isn’t something I’ve looked into before, so I don’t know what I should look for or stay away from.
Will getting one allow me to keep the phone number that I have through the cable company? Do I want to get one that’s easily flashed/upgraded?
So I’m looking for advice/recommendations/first-hand experience/useful anecdotes.
Also: if I get my own cable modem, do I tell Comcast? Or is that the kind of thing that would upset them (not that I’m concerned about their feelings, but I’m not in the mood to step into the ring with them)?
When I upgraded from dialup to internet service through my local cable provider I bought my own modem because I didn’t want to pay to rent one from the cable company. I think I got it either at Best Buy or Comp USA. It’s a Motorola similar to this one, but probably several versions older since I’ve had it for 5-6 years. The price was about the same as the one in the link if I recall. I looked on my internet provider’s website and they had several recommended brands/models and that helped me narrow down the choices.
Can’t help with the phone number thing since I don’t use that feature.
Can’t help with the flashing/upgrade question; I’ve never done that with mine. Maybe I need to???
After you get your new modem call Comcast and tell them to pick up their crappy rental. Make sure it’s not on your bill next month if you’re paying to rent it. My company did not have a problem with me having my own, just said I should try to get one from their list of compatible models.
You have to call the cable company to even get it to work- you need the mac address from the modem (printed on the side) entered into their system so that their servers will communicate with you. Without that anybody could hook up a cable modem, even without paying for internet, and get free service.
The important considerations are compatibility with the Comcast/Xfinity network and the DOCSIS version (you want 3.0 for faster speeds). Check the Comcast page for compatibility. You’ll need to let Comcast know you have your own modem, because they will need the MAC ID in order for their system to acknowledge it, and also so they will stop charging you for renting theirs. You will probably also have to return the rented modem.
Not sure how the phone issue would work; I doubt they will have to change your number, but I don’t know if the phone service will work when you disconnect your current modem, and you will need to contact them to give them the new MAC ID, and your new modem has to be connected in order for their system to find it. So you might need to make that call from another source (like a cell).
I’m using Comcast and have the Motorola SB6120, which is DOCSIS 3.0; no complaints whatsoever.
The modem/router you have from the cable company, if you ALSO get phone through it, will be a issue to replace. You might want to check with VoIP companys to move the phone service over to them.
One thing to note, and maybe it’s not a problem for you, but if something happens to your current Comcast cable modem and it stops working, they will replace it. But if you buy your own and it gets fried in a storm, you’ll be on the hook for it. I’ve replaced my cable modem four times in the last year (yes, I’m getting a better surge protector), and since I lease the modem from Charter, I just take the broken modem down to their office and swap it out.