Topic 'Re: Why?' in forum '' - dslreports.com http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114306 en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:50:34 EDT Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:50:34 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22127229 said by wifi4milez:


It is very unusual for a modem to last that long.Weird. I've owned and operated the the same Motorola SurfBoard modem 24/7/365 since 2001. I've saved TONS of money by buying. Every time Comcast made an upgrade, I got a commensurate speed increase. I've NEVER had to reboot it for any reason other than a human at Comcast screwing something up at head end. I'm sure 10 Mbps downstream is almost average nowadays, but should I decide to move up to the next tier and get a D3 modem, I definitely don't see myself renting a new one. They'd probably want to sell rent me a locked down wireless router too. Are Motorola's really that much better than any other modem? Just my experience, FWIW.

/knock on wood.
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Bottom line: it was much cheaper for me to buy then to own (I figured I've saved at least $500).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22117996 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:25:21 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22117780 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22117780 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:36:16 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22116292 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22116292 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:13:09 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22116139
alot of good reasons to.

besides do u realy want a modem that u have no idea who/what is on it from last time, esp if its sitting on ur desk.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22116139 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:41:55 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115878
Its still going strong. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115878 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:59:06 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115833 said by wifi4milez:

The only problem with that argument is that you wont be renting the same cable modem for 10 years. They usually do network and equipment upgrades every two years (or so) and give you a new one. This is not always the case. I just helped a lady out that I work with. She was having computer issues and while I was at her house I noticed she still had an old Motorola cable modem that is not even DOCSIS-2 :mad:.

I gave her one of my extra modems, set it up and her speeds instantly doubbled. I told her to return the old one and make sure they stopped charging her for it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115833 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:50:47 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115574 said by danclan:

Does comcast charge more for the service if you own your own CBLMDM anymore? They used to in our area so it was like...ok i own it but instead you raised my monthly rate to make the difference....

I hope thats not the case anymore.
No, they do not. Comcast charges no more for modem owners than modem leasers. I bought my own modem first in 2001, and replaced it in 2005 (Motorola SURFboards in both cases; SB-4100 in 2001, and SB-5120 in 2005). While both modems are still usable in *other* Comcast areas, only the SB-5120 (which is the modem currently *in battery*) would *cut the ketchup* in D3 areas today. The current prices for the D3-ready SURFboards match those for my SB-5120 when I bought it (and are less than my SB-4100 was at its launch, or when I bought mine, six months later), so it's not exactly a bad buy for those comfortable with buying/self-installing their own modems.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115574 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:01:15 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115440 said by danclan:

Does comcast charge more for the service if you own your own CBLMDM anymore? They used to in our area so it was like...ok i own it but instead you raised my monthly rate to make the difference....

I hope thats not the case anymore.
Never heard of that in any market I've been in over the last 12 years... not saying it wasn't that way in your area, just in the abundance of markets I've been involved in, never. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115440 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:34:34 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115431 said by DarkLogix:

Because the only way to get a d3 modem from Comcast is to order 22 or 50 service but if in an area with a d3 cmts you can get much higher powerboost with a d3 modem even if on a lower tier

some have reported as high as 120Mbit
huh?!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115431 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:32:40 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115358 said by BF69:

it can take Charter a week to make house call.
While they might not be able to come out that day, you can always drive over to their office and get a new one (for free) during business hours.
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When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat.
-Ronald Reagan-
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115358 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:18:05 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115327 said by Aozora:

You are also susceptible to Comcast running off with your modem if they ever come to your house.
So, when/if a Comcast tech comes to your house, you aren't there or watching what they are doing? :hmm:
*IF* the tech picks up your modem, you are nowhere to be found and he walks away with it?
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@ $3.00 per month, that's $198.00
The Moto cost me $69.99(I think).
Do the math.

If I can work it, after my HD promo expires(or gets renewed) I will certainly buy my own modem and get D3 service.
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Think outside the Fox... Opera]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115308 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:06:49 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115250 said by wifi4milez:

said by BF69:

said by wifi4milez:

The only problem with that argument is that you wont be renting the same cable modem for 10 years. ou, but I have a sneaky suspicion thats not the case! :D
My mother rented one from Charter for 7 years. Same modem. Only reason why it wasn't longer is because she went with DSL.
It is very unusual for a modem to last that long. As I said however, the convenience factor alone makes renting worth it, especially for non-technical people. If you own your modem and dont have a spare (and it breaks), be prepared to spend weeks waiting for it to be replaced/repaired OR be prepared to go out and buy another.

Everyone has different preferences however, so I suggest people look at both options and make their decision!
it can take Charter a week to make house call. If I own a modem and it breaks I can go to wal-mart and get a new one that day. If my bought modem lasts a year that's break even over renting. So if it lasts 18 months I'm ahead of the game.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115250 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:54:25 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115210 said by BF69:

said by wifi4milez:

The only problem with that argument is that you wont be renting the same cable modem for 10 years. ou, but I have a sneaky suspicion thats not the case! :D
My mother rented one from Charter for 7 years. Same modem. Only reason why it wasn't longer is because she went with DSL.
It is very unusual for a modem to last that long. As I said however, the convenience factor alone makes renting worth it, especially for non-technical people. If you own your modem and dont have a spare (and it breaks), be prepared to spend weeks waiting for it to be replaced/repaired OR be prepared to go out and buy another.

Everyone has different preferences however, so I suggest people look at both options and make their decision!
--
When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat.
-Ronald Reagan-
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115210 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:49:12 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115051 said by wifi4milez:

The only problem with that argument is that you wont be renting the same cable modem for 10 years. ou, but I have a sneaky suspicion thats not the case! :D
My mother rented one from Charter for 7 years. Same modem. Only reason why it wasn't longer is because she went with DSL.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22115051 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:22:14 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114804
I hope thats not the case anymore.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114804 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:37:07 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114429 said by BF69:

said by wifi4milez:

Why would you want to purchase your own cable modem? Although I no longer use TWC, if I recall correctly the monthly charge for the cable modem was built into my overall cost. Even if its not, I cant see it being more than $3 or $4 per month. At that rate, it would take over 2 years to break even (using the $100 price point mentioned in the article). Also, if you have a company provided modem and it stops working they bring you another free of charge. Perhaps there is a benefit to spending money on something that offers no additional benefits over renting it, however I just dont see it.

Cable modems arent like routers in that you can change settings and mess around with them (legally at least!), so in my opinion this is one of those "whats the point?" items.
Well I can speak for Charter that they charge $5 a month for a regular D2 modem. That's $60 a year. For that price you can buy your own. So if you have service for 10 years you're paying $600 for a $50 modem. In 2019 for $600 you could probbaly buy a 65 inch OLED TV.
The only problem with that argument is that you wont be renting the same cable modem for 10 years. They usually do network and equipment upgrades every two years (or so) and give you a new one. I can also tell you that cable modems (typical RCA ones) start dying after around 24 months anyway, so a simple call to TWC and they are at my place with a brand new model at no charge to me. I can say that between me calling TWC due to issues, and them proactively changing devices out, I probably had 3 different cable modems in 5 years. I didnt pay a penny for any of them , as opposed to $300 if I needed to buy them myself (again using the figure in this article). If you are using the same cable modem now that you bought back in 1998 then more power to you, but I have a sneaky suspicion thats not the case! :D
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When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat.
-Ronald Reagan-
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114429 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:33:48 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114396 said by wifi4milez:

Why would you want to purchase your own cable modem? Although I no longer use TWC, if I recall correctly the monthly charge for the cable modem was built into my overall cost. Even if its not, I cant see it being more than $3 or $4 per month. At that rate, it would take over 2 years to break even (using the $100 price point mentioned in the article). Also, if you have a company provided modem and it stops working they bring you another free of charge. Perhaps there is a benefit to spending money on something that offers no additional benefits over renting it, however I just dont see it.

Cable modems arent like routers in that you can change settings and mess around with them (legally at least!), so in my opinion this is one of those "whats the point?" items.
Well I can speak for Charter that they charge $5 a month for a regular D2 modem. That's $60 a year. For that price you can buy your own. So if you have service for 10 years you're paying $600 for a $50 modem. In 2019 for $600 you could probbaly buy a 65 inch OLED TV.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114396 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:27:31 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114372 said by ThyPunko_PR:

I wish I could get those service levels here! :-(

Down here in PR the rent of a cable modem is $9.95...or $79.95 for buying it...do the math....lol
$3/mo to rent in NJ
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Down here in PR the rent of a cable modem is $9.95...or $79.95 for buying it...do the math....lol]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114364 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:22:14 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114345
some have reported as high as 120Mbit]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114345 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:19:08 EDT Re: Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114336 said by wifi4milez:

Why would you want to purchase your own cable modem? Although I no longer use TWC, if I recall correctly the monthly charge for the cable modem was built into my overall cost. Even if its not, I cant see it being more than $3 or $4 per month. At that rate, it would take over 2 years to break even (using the $100 price point mentioned in the article). Also, if you have a company provided modem and it stops working they bring you another free of charge. Perhaps there is a benefit to spending money on something that offers no additional benefits over renting it, however I just dont see it.

Cable modems arent like routers in that you can change settings and mess around with them (legally at least!), so in my opinion this is one of those "whats the point?" items.
You are also susceptible to Comcast running off with your modem if they ever come to your house.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Why-22114336 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:17:09 EDT Why? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Why-22114306
Cable modems arent like routers in that you can change settings and mess around with them (legally at least!), so in my opinion this is one of those "whats the point?" items.
--
When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat.
-Ronald Reagan-
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Why-22114306 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:10:53 EDT