Can you use any cable modem with your broadband provider??

[bozack]

Hello all,

I was just wondering if you could use any cable modem on the market with your cable modem provider (Mine=Comcast) or if they were specific to your service similar to cable boxes.....

The reason for this question is that buy.com has on their price mistake of the day a 3Com OfficeConnect Cable Modem for $119 and then there is a $40 mail in rebate which would make it $80.....and would be worth it in 16 months as the rental fees are $5 a month. Also the modem they provided seriously sucks (Com21).

Thanks in advance for responses.

 

[NakaNaka]

they charge your per month for the cable modem?? thats a rip off. .

 

[bozack]

oops my bad, my old place the modem rental was $10, I think because they use cheaper hardware here they only charge $5

 

[NakaNaka]

doesnt matter they shouldnt charge you at all ... my cable modem service from road runner is $40 and I got the first month free, free hardware and free install ..

 

[YaKuZa]

I was just wondering if you could use any cable modem on the market with your cable modem provider (Mine=Comcast) or if they were specific to your service similar to cable boxes.....
Go to your cable providers website or call them and make sure your modem is supported before purchasing anything.

doesnt matter they shouldnt charge you at all ... my cable modem service from road runner is $40 and I got the first month free, free hardware and free install ..
Most providers do charge their customers to lease a modem.
You probably got a promotional plan, which gave you a free modem for signing up and first month free, etc. Or maybe your cable provider is just nice.

 

[Challenger]

I know that Charter here in Wisconsin won't let you use your own modem,they can ping the modem and tell if it's the right one or not.The only people that get charged a modem fee are the ones that don't have their cable tv service,so I don't understand why they won't allow you to use your own modem??

 

[NakaNaka]

oh really ... i just thought most people had it like that. Road Runner does that for everyone in NYC as far as I know. All my friends that have it don't pay for the cable modem.

 

[Jumpem]

Roadrunner here in upstate NY is also just $40. But the modem rental is probably just taken out of that standard fee.

 

[ST4RCUTTER]

Bozack,

There are two standards for cable modems(DOCSIS and DVB/DAVIC), and I doubt your local cable provider will be using DVB/DAVIC, but you can check with Comcast just to be sure. Their number is 1-888-793-9800.

Here is a link to makers of DOCSIS modems. I don't think Comcast will prevent you from using your own modem now. I work for a cable company, and we actually have promotions for people who go out and buy their own modems.

 

[trikster2]

What's the best cable modem out there?

My Com21 that I am renting from Comcast died.

Comcast won't replace it for two weeks!!!

They only have @home modems in stock, and they've been told not to release those.

Sigh.

 

[Raspewtin]

i had to "remind" my cable company that my contract for the hardware was with @home, and now the modem was legally mine, so stop charging me rental fees for hardware they aren't renting to me!

 

[Raincity]

<< Also the modem they provided seriously sucks (Com21 >>

And whats wrong with Com21 modems ? they are just as good as the others out there and have been in the cable modem biz alot longer than the others.

Rain

 

[odog]

COM21 modem are pure junk.... at least the doxport1010(the model i'm familar with) horrible RMA rates, and bad speeds. motorola, toshiba those are much higher quality..


it's not really a matter of can they, it's a matter of IF they will.... most of the time it's completely policy dependent. almost all cable systems have been transitioned to DOCSIS and they all should work. some providers choose to keep modems standardised to ease in techspork, and troublshooting. example AOLTW RR in NYC, they give you a toshiba as part of the $40 a month fee. you can use your modem, but they won't lower your rate(still $40) which sucks, but thats what they do.