Swapping out a Comcast router
 

Have had a phone-internet Comcast package for years. Dropped the phone recently and found that they upped the internet router equipment fee to $12.95/month and then started charging for the phone router, $9.95 that we just cancelled.

Can I just get another internet router and plug it in and return the Comcast router?

Do you have a separate cable modem, or is it integrated into their router?

I have Comcast and I purchased my own DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem and have my own router as well. I bypassed all of the monthly equipment fees to Comcast.

Yep, the hardest part will be finding someone competent at Comcast to enable the new cable modem.

You can easily buy a new cable modem for $50-60 that will work with Comcast. When you call, they will need the MAC address from the new modem and thats about it. Once I got a hold of someone who knew what they were doing, it was up and running in less than 5 minutes.

The modem rental is the biggest scam Comcast has running right now, and thats saying A LOT for a company like Comcast.

Compatible devices and self install here.

Just don't buy off the Amazon list of devices as it looks to be Comcasts store.

DOCSIS Devices

Thanks guys. Bio, absolutely. Years ago they said I couldn't have my own modem. Just talked and talked and got transferred, etc. with Comcast and they gave me DOCSIS Devices to find a modem that will work.

Getting one today so they can pick it all up on Monday. That's $155 savings per year!

One reason to get your own device is to eliminate Comcasts Hotspots.

Comcast configures with an additional SSID / WIFI Network that is available as a roaming hotspot for other customers.

Basically they let others piggyback off your network.

I wish there was a way to do that with AT&T's Uverse!

Looks like this will work

DPC3008 : Networking, Modems : Micro Center

If you have a Sams Club membership:
ARRIS SurfBoard SB6141 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem - Sam's Club

Otherwise:
https://jet.com/product/DOCSIS-30-Cable-Modem/dee0486c9a984fe3a1040109eb6b3958

Be aware Comcast uses a router/cable modem combo so you'll have to get a WIFI router if you don't already have one.
Their combo is a locked down piece of crap anyways so you're better off anyways.

Thanks. I have a netgear wireless N router that I use 50/50 with ethernet cable. Never tested if there was a speed difference, don't think there is.

I'm going to get the Cisco at MicroCenter tonight so I'm done with it and the Comcast guy can pick up both devices, phone and internet, on Monday. They price match so I have to find it a little cheaper online.



On a different note, why has this information not gone viral? Everyone in the country should do this.

I kinda thought everyone already knew this...I haven't used the cable company's modem/router (Cox, for me) in over 10 years.

The last time I called them Guy, years ago, they said I couldn't use my own router. So I figure I've paid in well over $500 for a $70 router.

Because most people don't feel it's worth the hassle or like to play IT.

If it breaks they want to call and have a guy come sort it out.

Or they ask their "techie" friends and get all sorts of confusing expensive convoluted advice and end of day say f' it.

I purchased a Docsis 3.0 router from costco a while back it works great.

Which is complete BS why ATT won't let you buy your own!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Yes you can. Cable modems are about 100 bucks at bestbuy then u need a rooter for another 100ish

I just use a Cisco Linksys E2500. But most of what you guys said was over myhead.

I got a Motorola combo modem/router for $130 at best buy. It works well with my Comcast cable. The only thing I don't like about it is the internal antenna. It has a limited range and I can't plug in an external antenna.

I use NETGEAR N600 Wi-Fi DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem Router (C3700) with Comcast. Amazon about $110

I installed my own cable modem/router with Comcast. It was pretty easy.

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR BILL FOR A FEW MONTHS AFTER YOU INSTALL IT!!!!!

Comcast started charging me again claiming I didn't register the new device which is of course total bs since you have to give them the number to make it work.

If you have any old wifi routers hanging around, look into using them as dummy access points. Basically you can turn them into "repeaters" to extend the WiFi signals. I do this with one so I get decent signal in my garage.

Got the modem set up easily enough, extremely happy.

Called Comcast, got a really nice supervisor, he credited me 13 months of service fee, $168.35.

Can't ask for more than that.

Ouch. That's a bitter pill to swallow. Stuff like that immediately makes me want to switch companies (even though, to be honest, it's "your fault" for not knowing).

**Edit** Hadn't read your latest post. That's pretty decent customer service there. Glad it worked out.

You don't need 2. These days (for many years now), you can buy a modem/router combo for under $100. Many different brands and capability levels. Take your pick.

This became a stroll down memory lane.

We signed up in October of 2013, so it actually wasn't that long ago. But the real issue was the chirpy Comcast sales teen Caitlin either didn't know or lied when she set us up. I had asked if we could use our own boxes, she said no. That was over the phone. Larry, the supervisor I talked with, very good guy, said if she's still working at Comcast, he didn't think she'd admit to it if he pressed the issue. We got a chuckle out of that. He did some checking and came back with Comcast changed their policy in September of 2013 and that Caitlin may not have known about that change, so he couldn't say one way or the other if she lied or just didn't know. It was a decent enough olive branch, and I didn't have anything in email, so the 13 months was fine by me.

I remember talking with Caitlin on the phone back then, she could have passed for 10 years old.