question/rant: cable companies and modem rental

[tmc]

I have both internet and phone (voip) by my cable company (bundle).

i have two cable modems:

modem 1: owned by me just for internet.

modem 2: owned by the cable company just for telephone with battery backup and all - however has an ethernet port and supports high speed internet as well. no rental fee.

I asked them if I can use their modem for my internet as well. They told me then I will be charged modem rental fee.

In other words, no fee if I use it only for phone, but if I use it for internet, then I will be charged rental fee.

I told them this is ridiculous. The thing is sitting in my house and if I use it to its fullest I have to pay a fee?

Is this how it is for you as well? Oh well!!!

 

[gorcorps]

I just signed up for comcast, and if you have a compatible modem you aren't charged the $7 rental fee.

 

[Mixolydian]

I just signed up for comcast, and if you have a compatible modem you aren't charged the $7 rental fee.

dont think that applies to their VoIP service though, only Internet. for voip im pretty sure you can only use their modem.

 

[postmortemIA]

voip = paying for internet twice. whatever they get out of your for it, is pure profit.

 

[Anonemous]

VOIP = get an Obi110 with Google voice and hook up to internet, Vonage/magicjack/netduo/ooma also works too. Be sure to also get a UPS battery backup in case power outage to power cable modem+obi+phone.