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TrudyM
02-13-2015, 09:47 AM
Comcast has turned the modem in your home into a mobile hotspot for their other customers use. Now it is a separate line so they can't see what you are doing but they are using your bandwidth and electricity. I have noticed that my internet access in the rental I am at slows way down at certain times of the day. Called Comcast and the guy said others on the public side of the modem were using it . Mystery solved other people are logging in and gobbling up the bandwidth.
HOW TO SOLVE
You can log into your account at Comcast Then click Users & Preferences-->Service Address, which will have your address. Underneath your address click Manage Xfinity WiFi, and then click Disable Xfinity Wifi Home Hotspot. After that, click Save. Now if you see xfinitywifi show up again on your available connections it means that Comcast sent out an update and it turned it back on. Go to Comcast login and turn it off again. Sorry to say I can't do that because I don't have access as I am in a rental but maybe the info will help others.

I don't mind being neighborly but sharing my connections so I can't get on is not acceptable.

villagetinker
02-13-2015, 10:11 AM
TrudyM,
THANK YOU for the info. Comcast is pushing for us to upgrade to the Xfinity system, which has the capability to do the hotspot. I specifically told them that I did not want that enabled, and they indicated that it could be turned off. I will need to see if this can be turned off locally by logging into the modem with my computer.

tuccillo
02-13-2015, 10:26 AM
Depending on how close your neighbors are this may not be an issue. I live in a Designer home and can't pick up my neighbors WiFi. Typically the range of WiFI isn't much beyond the inside of your home. I guess it is possible that Comcast is using routers with a greater range than typical. I seriously doubt that you will find that your neighbors are going to drop their internet service and piggyback off of yours. I was of the impression that the purpose of the hotspots was for guests in your home so you don't have to tell them the password for your private WiFi. I think this is really a marketing gimmick by Comcast so they can say they have 12 trillion hotspots.

TrudyM,
THANK YOU for the info. Comcast is pushing for us to upgrade to the Xfinity system, which has the capability to do the hotspot. I specifically told them that I did not want that enabled, and they indicated that it could be turned off. I will need to see if this can be turned off locally by logging into the modem with my computer.

billethkid
02-13-2015, 10:34 AM
You should also be aware that if you want to upgrade to Comcast's newest and fastest modem you do not have to use the included wifi.

During the activation process they have a by pass or bridge routine that excludes the wifi feature of the device. Then one can continue using their own router wifi set up.

The best alternative is to buy your own (on the list) modem for $50-$100 and get the smae upgrade in speed and eliminate the $8-$10 modem rental charge by comcast.

tuccillo
02-13-2015, 10:34 AM
I believe the architecture of cable modem is that you and your neighbors are on the same coax "loop" so bandwidth is shared. What your neighbors are doing may impact the bandwidth you realize. I am not talking about sharing your WiFI. I doubt that there was anyone piggybacking off of your WiFi since the WiFi range is limited. Do you live in a CYV? If so, it is more likely it could happen. Ask them. If you are in a single family home I am not sure the WiFi range is enough for people in another house to see your WiFi. If you find out for sure that someone is piggybacking off of your WiFi please post as I am curious what sort of WiFi range your router provides. Thanks.

Comcast has turned the modem in your home into a mobile hotspot for their other customers use. Now it is a separate line so they can't see what you are doing but they are using your bandwidth and electricity. I have noticed that my internet access in the rental I am at slows way down at certain times of the day. Called Comcast and the guy said others on the public side of the modem were using it . Mystery solved other people are logging in and gobbling up the bandwidth.
HOW TO SOLVE
You can log into your account at Comcast Then click Users & Preferences-->Service Address, which will have your address. Underneath your address click Manage Xfinity WiFi, and then click Disable Xfinity Wifi Home Hotspot. After that, click Save. Now if you see xfinitywifi show up again on your available connections it means that Comcast sent out an update and it turned it back on. Go to Comcast login and turn it off again. Sorry to say I can't do that because I don't have access as I am in a rental but maybe the info will help others.

I don't mind being neighborly but sharing my connections so I can't get on is not acceptable.

TrudyM
02-13-2015, 10:40 AM
I believe the architecture of cable modem is that you and your neighbors are on the same coax "loop" so bandwidth is shared. What your neighbors are doing may impact the bandwidth you realize. I am not talking about sharing your WiFI. I doubt that there was anyone piggybacking off of your WiFi since the WiFi range is limited. Do you live in a CYV? If so, it is more likely it could happen. Ask them. If you are in a single family home I am not sure the WiFi range is enough for people in another house to see your WiFi. If you find out for sure that someone is piggybacking off of your WiFi please post as I am curious what sort of WiFi range your router provides. Thanks.

I see 8 wifi signals on my options here in the courtyard villa, however be advised that in Seattle where I have a large lot I still pick up three neighbors. When I called Comcast they said 3 others were logged into the same modem as I was using the hotspot feature.

tuccillo
02-13-2015, 10:53 AM
OK, thanks. I suspected you might be in a CYV. Presumably they are renters who don't want to pay for internet service? Is the CYV framed construction or concrete block? The concrete block seems to degrade the signal as I can't see my neighbors' signals and the designer homes are pretty close. Thanks for the info - this is very interesting.

I see 8 wifi signals on my options here in the courtyard villa, however be advised that in Seattle where I have a large lot I still pick up three neighbors. When I called Comcast they said 3 others were logged into the same modem as I was using the hotspot feature.

TrudyM
02-13-2015, 11:24 AM
OK, thanks. I suspected you might be in a CYV. Presumably they are renters who don't want to pay for internet service? Is the CYV framed construction or concrete block? The concrete block seems to degrade the signal as I can't see my neighbors' signals and the designer homes are pretty close. Thanks for the info - this is very interesting.

Concrete block

eremite06
02-13-2015, 11:32 AM
OK. Yes, I got sucked in by a letter to upgrade my modem for FREE. Your speed doubles to 50Mbps/10Mbps from my current 25/5. This is a deceiving tactic to receive a Wireless Gateway modem with a built in router. Problem is....you must sign up for TV service with a cable box that provides only basic service. The ONE year teaser rate is $69.99. What it goes up to after the one year, nobody at Comcast would tell me. I didn't bite!

Now, as the OP states, this Gateway can be used as a hotspot by others in your range???
I can not believe the duplicitous tactics used by this sleasy company.

Anyone know what modem to buy so I can get out of the lease?

billethkid
02-13-2015, 12:13 PM
OK. Yes, I got sucked in by a letter to upgrade my modem for FREE. Your speed doubles to 50Mbps/10Mbps from my current 25/5. This is a deceiving tactic to receive a Wireless Gateway modem with a built in router. Problem is....you must sign up for TV service with a cable box that provides only basic service. The ONE year teaser rate is $69.99. What it goes up to after the one year, nobody at Comcast would tell me. I didn't bite!

Now, as the OP states, this Gateway can be used as a hotspot by others in your range???
I can not believe the duplicitous tactics used by this sleasy company.

Anyone know what modem to buy so I can get out of the lease?

I just did it. Here is the latest version out:

ARRIS / Motorola SurfBoard SB6141 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem - Retail Packaging - White

I bought mine from Amazon for $83. Will pay for itself in less than a year. And it is faster than the Comcast modem I took out.

Easy install. Need to have Comcast do a ping/test/turn on...over the phone. No problem. I should have done it years ago!!!

When returning the Comcast box just take it to the UPS store and they will take care of it for no charge. (must be a UPS store not a box and ship type place)

NotFromAroundHere
02-13-2015, 12:21 PM
OK. Yes, I got sucked in by a letter to upgrade my modem for FREE. Your speed doubles to 50Mbps/10Mbps from my current 25/5. This is a deceiving tactic to receive a Wireless Gateway modem with a built in router. Problem is....you must sign up for TV service with a cable box that provides only basic service. The ONE year teaser rate is $69.99. What it goes up to after the one year, nobody at Comcast would tell me. I didn't bite!

Now, as the OP states, this Gateway can be used as a hotspot by others in your range???
I can not believe the duplicitous tactics used by this sleasy company.

Anyone know what modem to buy so I can get out of the lease?

Just google Comcast approved modems. If you have Comcast phone service you need one with voice capability.

Arctic Fox
02-13-2015, 12:32 PM
"I doubt that there was anyone piggybacking off of your WiFi since the WiFi range is limited."

I get a better signal from my neighbor's wifi across the street than I do from my own in another room.

Certainly, the way to go is to buy your own gear rather than rent from Comcast, and make sure you set it up with password protection.

Or use your neighbor's signal, of course :-)

tuccillo
02-13-2015, 12:43 PM
It sounds as if the Comcast provided routers have quite a range.

"I doubt that there was anyone piggybacking off of your WiFi since the WiFi range is limited."

I get a better signal from my neighbor's wifi across the street than I do from my own in another room.

Certainly, the way to go is to buy your own gear rather than rent from Comcast, and make sure you set it up with password protection.

Or use your neighbor's signal, of course :-)

HiHoSteveO
02-13-2015, 01:01 PM
Answers are here under "Home Hotspot"
XFINITY WiFi - FAQs (http://wifi.comcast.com/faqs.html)

MikeV
02-13-2015, 05:05 PM
"I doubt that there was anyone piggybacking off of your WiFi since the WiFi range is limited."

I get a better signal from my neighbor's wifi across the street than I do from my own in another room.

Certainly, the way to go is to buy your own gear rather than rent from Comcast, and make sure you set it up with password protection.

Or use your neighbor's signal, of course :-)

I have my own Motorola modem and Apple wifi router. I get my wifi across the street at my neighbors kitchen just fine.

rubicon
02-13-2015, 05:35 PM
I just did it. Here is the latest version out:

ARRIS / Motorola SurfBoard SB6141 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem - Retail Packaging - White

I bought mine from Amazon for $83. Will pay for itself in less than a year. And it is faster than the Comcast modem I took out.

Easy install. Need to have Comcast do a ping/test/turn on...over the phone. No problem. I should have done it years ago!!!

When returning the Comcast box just take it to the UPS store and they will take care of it for no charge. (must be a UPS store not a box and ship type place)

I admit my ignorance but assumed the comcast modem is used in conjunction with my TV,Internet and phone? In the past any problem with the aforementioned the customer service people tried troubleshooting through cables. The light indicators warn of such problems. so if i purchase my own modem what affect does it have on TV and telephone and troubleshooting? I hate the rental charges also

Mikeod
02-13-2015, 06:09 PM
I admit my ignorance but assumed the comcast modem is used in conjunction with my TV,Internet and phone? In the past any problem with the aforementioned the customer service people tried troubleshooting through cables. The light indicators warn of such problems. so if i purchase my own modem what affect does it have on TV and telephone and troubleshooting? I hate the rental charges also
Rubicon, you have to get a telephony modem that handles your internet and telephone. As said above, google Comcst approved modems and look for those that support telephone and internet. The modem has nothing to do with your TV. It shouldn't affect troubleshooting problems, although I suspect the X-1 platform uses data over cable to handle multiply TVs.

One caution. When my Mom thought about getting her own cable modem, the tech warned her that if she had a service problem that turned out to be the modem, she would be charged a high hourly rate for the tech visit. He also intimated that owned modems get blamed even if they are not the main culprit in the problem.

billethkid
02-13-2015, 07:12 PM
I admit my ignorance but assumed the comcast modem is used in conjunction with my TV,Internet and phone? In the past any problem with the aforementioned the customer service people tried troubleshooting through cables. The light indicators warn of such problems. so if i purchase my own modem what affect does it have on TV and telephone and troubleshooting? I hate the rental charges also

No effect on the television side of Comcast...we have it and it was not involved or affected.
The modem that I recommended above is a basic modem only. If you have Comcast phone there is a similar model that has the phone ports on it.

I have Ooma so I did not need the modem with the phone ports as I run Ooma to my router.

The telephone customer service people are quite helpful on this subject when one tells them you are going to purchase your own modem.

After the change over one does have to monitor the billing. I was told my rental would end with the activation of my new modem. When I got the first bill afterwards, the rental was still there and had to have them delete it again. We'll see what happens next month.

starflyte1
02-14-2015, 11:27 AM
I have tried several times to "manage Xfinity WiFI, but get the message that "something unusual happened-try again later". Anyone else get that message?

LI SNOWBIRD
02-15-2015, 02:07 PM
I have tried several times to "manage Xfinity WiFI, but get the message that "something unusual happened-try again later". Anyone else get that message?

yes I got this message and called-- eventually I got help

rubicon
02-15-2015, 03:27 PM
Comcast has turned the modem in your home into a mobile hotspot for their other customers use. Now it is a separate line so they can't see what you are doing but they are using your bandwidth and electricity. I have noticed that my internet access in the rental I am at slows way down at certain times of the day. Called Comcast and the guy said others on the public side of the modem were using it . Mystery solved other people are logging in and gobbling up the bandwidth.
HOW TO SOLVE
You can log into your account at Comcast Then click Users & Preferences-->Service Address, which will have your address. Underneath your address click Manage Xfinity WiFi, and then click Disable Xfinity Wifi Home Hotspot. After that, click Save. Now if you see xfinitywifi show up again on your available connections it means that Comcast sent out an update and it turned it back on. Go to Comcast login and turn it off again. Sorry to say I can't do that because I don't have access as I am in a rental but maybe the info will help others.

I don't mind being neighborly but sharing my connections so I can't get on is not acceptable.

so I followed the instruction and found that Xfinity WiFi showed the feature was disabled

TNLAKEPANDA
02-15-2015, 04:01 PM
So if I understand what you al are saying is that the Comsast modem/router combo unit also puts out an open hotspot off of your unit??? That is crazy. Who would want to do that!!!

Skip
02-15-2015, 06:21 PM
So if I understand what you al are saying is that the Comsast modem/router combo unit also puts out an open hotspot off of your unit??? That is crazy. Who would want to do that!!!

Comcast wants you to do that.
Buy a DOCSIS 3.0 Modem and save yourself money and grief.

Skip

TrudyM
02-15-2015, 10:16 PM
Update

I got my landlord to go into their Comcast account online and turn the hotspot off and now my connection is fine no freezing.

Villager Audio Video
02-16-2015, 12:19 AM
So if I understand what you al are saying is that the Comsast modem/router combo unit also puts out an open hotspot off of your unit??? That is crazy. Who would want to do that!!!
It's NOT an open hotspot. You have to be a paying Comcast customer and use your Comcast login to gain access.

TrudyM
02-16-2015, 07:47 AM
It's NOT an open hotspot. You have to be a paying Comcast customer and use your Comcast login to gain access.

It is open to anyone down here who has Comcast at home and in some areas they sell just hotspot access. Check the LA times article which is were I got the info on how to turn it off. Comcast said when I called that the reason I was freezing is that somebody on the hotspot was probably downloading a movie and their were a couple other people on as well and the modem couldn't handle it.

eremite06
02-17-2015, 03:22 PM
Got my new modem and installed it. The reason it takes forever to get their modem lease off your bill is the returned modem must hit their warehouse before the lease fee is dropped. Still must monitor the bill.