Hello all!
My parents currently have Comcast for TV service only. They have an AT&T landline with DSL. They have asked me to look into moving the landline and Internet service over to Comcast. My basic question is simple:
Is it possible to self-install voice and HSI with an existing cable TV connection, or does Comcast have to send a tech to the house?My goal, here, is to get the service turned up, without a Comcast tech stringing eight miles of cable around the outside of a brick house, or loading a bunch of crap on their PC that I will then need to spend a few hours removing.
Looking at Comcast's approved modems list, it looks like the only one I can get that is DOCSIS 3 and supports both voice and data is the Arris TM722G. I can find this online at a few different places. Yes, I know that a used modem, or one bought from a shady dealer, may be on the "blacklist" or otherwise not usable on Comcast.
I'm almost sure I'll have to run some new co-ax. The stuff from the pole to the house is recent, but the run from the grounding block (outside) to the TV probably dates to the late 1970s. It also has a splitter in it that I know was installed in 1989, because I installed it.
What I'll probably do is change the grounding block for a splitter, outside, and run a second new RG6 cable through the wall myself and to where I want the modem to live. That way the old co-ax with the old splitter will only have to serve the TV, and the new co-ax will run the Internet and phone service.
On the other hand, I hope this doesn't get me whacked with a second outlet fee. If that is going to happen, I'll put the modem next to the existing TV for now, and install the new splitter later.
I've self-installed Comcast TV and HSI in the same service area before, but I get the impression that voice is "different". I've also run lots of POTS/landline extension jacks before, so I'm not worried about disconnecting the house POTS wiring from AT&T and connecting it to the Comcast modem.
Other information that may be relevant...
This area is moving to DOCSIS 3. Comcast recently sent me a letter warning that my Motorola SB5101 (DOCSIS 2 only) will explode in a ball of flames if I don't buy a new modem from them immediately. There are some older Arris modems that only do DOCSIS 2, but Comcast might be in the "nothing new unless it's 3" mode here.
Thanks!
Eule