said by Melissa2009B:I've decided to sign up only for the HSI now, as it's without a contract. That's a nice bundle they offer with voice, but it's with contract too. Oh well. Keep CenturyLink for voice.
BUT for the future, I'm thinking I might could get the TM 722G modem and have EMTA capability for the future. Or a Zoom 5341J?
And then add the wireless router.
You need wireless right away for your Roku and such, yes?
It makes no sense to get their wireless gateway - you wil
not get good range on it - check out the Comcast forums on router issues...
If you want to rent their modem...ok, but you still need a router.
If you
think that you may go Comcast voice in the near future, I'd stick with renting the modem, otherwise buy your own.
BTW, I recently got Comcast internet and voice at the performance tier (20Mbps down/4Mbps up with speedboost) and am
not on a contract.
(plenty of speed for multiple users & Roku/Netflix)Earlier advice about getting any used modems is incorrect! You simply
do not know if what you are getting will be provisioned by Comcast or not! Many of the used modems out there are stolen, there is no assurance that you can receive that ensures the modem will be useable. No one is going to tell you that they are selling a stolen modem after all...
As far as eMTAs, unless Comcast has re-set their eMTA policy, no, you can not just buy an eMTA any old place and expect Comcast to provision it...regular cable modems of course are much less stringent. They have to be from their "approved list" not for any nefarious reason, but they have to be specifically programmed for. Yes, Comcast reps sometimes are all over the place when asking them these questions, so beware.
Refurb routers?
Pay your money and take your chances, but they were "refurbed" for a reason...they absolutely
do not "replace the insides"...they would throw them away first! A refurbed router is essentially checked for proper firmware flash, tested
briefly, prettied up, and put in a new box. No manufacturer actually
repairs routers, there is no money in it. Sometimes you luck out and it was just a bad power brick, and often it was just user-error that was the problem...but otherwise refurb routers are in precisely the same condition as when they were returned.
They may be "ok", but they are
not "good as new". Your router is the distribution point for all your on line data throughout your house, it usually is on 24/7/365...for that, I would want more than "ok".
PS - Your conversation with Chris sounds good. The prices and set-up described is spot on, and he sounds knowledgeable. I have found that not all Comcast reps are equally aware of their own products and policies