Comcast router replacement
 

I'm trying to lower my COMCAST bill and thinking of replacing the existing COMCAST rental modem/router/wifi with a box I buy and install. Anyone done this? What box did you buy? Complications? Thanks in advance.

You can use a router of your choice/need.
Google modems compatible with comcast/xfinity. Wehn you get the modem you will have to get on the phone with Xfinity techie to enable the moden.

Really very easy to do. I did mine several years ago....and if I could do it....can't be too difficult!

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I know you can do that, and some do, but if there ever is a problem and it's your router--well, the service call two years ago, for anything Comcast DIDN'T own or rent to you, was $100 plus any other parts needed.

Renting their stuff you don't have to guess and their techs are pretty good.

Simplicity itself, and paid for itself in a year

Note, however, that some modems that currently work with Comcast won't from mid-March onwards, and the type you'll need going forward costs a lot more - $200+ - so payback will be longer. Still worth doing, though.

Check the Comcast website for compatible modems.

Comcast has a data cap. It's quite a lot of data (1.2 TERAbytes per month IIRC) but if you need unlimited data, or download lots of large files like 4K movies or equiv of BluRays's , or watch loads of streaming 4K or have a streaming TV service instead of cable the only way to go is with their modem and their unlimited data package. Why might you need unlimited (or more than the data cap) ? Maybe if you have security cameras that stream with a decent resolution and/or stream to cloud 24/7 rather than only when someone is close by. If you have none of that buy your own modem/router just make sure you know what you are getting. Their mode WITH unlimited data is $25/month, data overage on your modem is $10 gig, unlimited data with YOUR modem is $30 month. Do the math.

I purchased the previous version of this one, NETGEAR Nighthawk Cable Modem WiFi Router Combo. Runs about $200 new on Amazon. You can pick it up at Walmart as well.

Make sure you get the modem/router combo. I'm not sure I agree that it's easy to set up with Comcast. I actually took the device to the Comcast store so they could get all of the info in their system. When I got it home and hooked it up, I was not able to get it to function via their automated process, so I still had to call, and the person on the other end of the line didn't have the info that was supposedly input at the store.

I finally got it working, and it has been flawless since September 2021. At a $15 a month rental fee, it paid for itself at 14 months.

Another advantage, if it matters to you, is that with the Xfinity modem/router they allow Xfinity customers to access your wi fi without your password. You may notice that if you go to a business that uses Xfinity, and your phone automatically connects. Xfinity says that it is partitioned, so no risk of someone hacking you, but still. Here's an article I found that provides more detail, and it also has some router/modem recommendations, assuming the link works.

How to Opt Out of Comcast Using your Router as a Wi-Fi Hotspot

Excellent article. Networking is a bit esoteric for the average person, as there is billions of dollars of equipment outside of your house which have an interdependent relationship with your house.

Basically, the network and your router create an unique internet destination address so that any packet from anywhere in the world with your address will get to your address. . . and the number of destinations is in the trillions . . . and the routers have to store all the addresses somewhere to send the packet to the correct destination, your house

So if you are technically inclined, buy your own. If you don't wish to play with the network, then rent the cable modem. However, if you are building your own house, then spec out ethernet drops throughout the house and in the central ceiling / attic as well for overhead wireless access points for better coverage higher up with less cement to go through. gives many options for future networking options

I have a separate modem and router. The modem almost never needs to be placed (it's a very simple device), but the router does need to be changed out due upgrades in speed and security.

What is going to happen in mid-March that will affect how current modems work? Our $200 ASUS router from 2018 and $59. Motorola modem from 2019 have been doing a fine job so far.

Check the compatibility page on website at that time. They should be proactive and alert you in advance

A 55 dollar Arris purchased recently works fine

Likely nothing. Router will never be an issue (to ComCrap) but some older modems have speed limits. If you are at or below the 200Mbps tier you'll have no issues. If you go above 300Mbps your modem MIGHT be an issue. I have read nothing about them sunsetting any modems that are DOCSIS 3 and above (circa 2006 or so) . It all depends on what speed tier you are using if your modem can handle it and obviously it is fine now. They keep jacking up their speeds for free so your modem could be limiting you but it likely doesn't matter to you.

Thanks. Our speed is only 100 mbs, so it likely won't matter.

I don't know the technicalities, but I've had two messages from Comcast about it:

Please replace your internet equipment

Take action to avoid a service interruption.

Due to expiration of a certificate on your equipment required for internet service, your internet equipment will no longer be compatible with our network after March 13, 2023. To avoid a service interruption, please replace your internet equipment with a compatible gateway or modem.

Visit My Device info to find a compatible gateway or modem you can purchase.

Please note, if you do not replace your internet equipment with a compatible gateway or modem, you will experience a service interruption and will lose access to the internet as early as March 13, 2023.

Just found this page based on the message above.

I think I will continue to rent my modem from Xfinity. The rental cost is only 6 percent of my total Xfinity bill. They upgraded my modem after I increased my Internet speed to 800 mbps. Also, since I have their digital landline service, the modems that have a phone connection are more expensive than most modems. I like that I don't need to worry about losing service and Xfinity blaming the outage on my modem. Any issue that occurs is their problem.

That's pretty much where I am right now. I don't have their phone service and I'm perfectly capable of setting up my own modem and router (again) but I haven't had any problem with Xfinity and I like the idea of being able to say, "your equipment, your problem, fix it," if anything does come up.

Also in the e-mail from Comcast was this:

If you do not wish to purchase a compatible gateway or modem, you can take advantage of a special offer that allows you to lease an Xfinity xFi Gateway, free for 12 months. Our xFi Gateway is a modem + WiFi router in one, designed to deliver enhanced coverage and the benefits of xFi, our best WiFi experience. Call 1-800-xfinity to take advantage of this offer. For more information around the benefits of leasing an xFi Gateway, click here. Take action today as this offer expires on March 13, 2023.

The problem with that is that they suck you in and then before you know it you're paying more than the $15 modem rental fee. Same with the 'free upgrade' to a higher level internet service. Once the promo period is over and the bill skyrockets, it's the same price to go back to your previous speed.

I spent 100 on a modem and router and it’s far superior to their all in one unit

Ditto, I did the same thing, I bought mine at Best Buy with their advice for what I needed.

As an IT professional, I always used to own my own modem and router and handle everything myself. However after several instances of my provider changing things slightly so that I had to spend days trying to get it to reconnect and missing out on upgrades that were automatic with their equipment, I now rent the modem/router and let them handle any problems.

I just disconnected from Comcast in December, but I have an ARRIS SVG2482AC ( modem/Dual band Wi-Fi/telephone portal/battery back up/ combo) in my garage. $230 when I bought it. You can have it for free. My good deed for the day. Call my cell: 561-212-9047
-Ken Olsen

Your service provider provides a list of compatible modems. We got a Motorola after ditching the Arris after a week as it was not consistent.

Just did it. Bought Motorola because it is Comcast compatible. $200. A tip for you. Use the SAME password you have now for the new modem. It will automatically connect to internet. Save you calls to Comcast.

Thanks to all who responded. I’ve started researching modem/routers and will probably call COMCAST before I make any changes. Thanks again. Great and helpful responses. TC

If it may help, here's what we do.
We have xfinity, internet only, with download speeds up to 200mbps, for a regular monthly cost of $85 (no modem rental)
We have our own wifi cable modem, Arris Surfboard SBG10, currently selling on Amazon for $115.
It was easy to set up but requires a phone call to xfinity as I recall.
We do normal things like web browsing, email etc, but but no gaming on multiple devices.
We use streaming services like netflix, paramount+, Disney, Hulu, Acorn, with no problems.
It is really about your situation. If you're a bit technically inclined (and patient!), you can set this up and even troubleshoot problems if the need arises. If you would rather just pick up the phone and say "come fix this" then perhaps renting the Comcast modem is the way to go.

Airris

I've got an older ARIS SB6121 modem, thinking of getting their lowest tier 75Mb service. Thinking that could work even though it's not listed?

Is there any alternatives to Comcast for internet in the Villages?

Does Comcast Offer Unlimited Internet and how much?

I Live in the Northeast now and get Unlimited up here with no cap.

I will be moving to TV in a few months and wondering what is available for Just Internet.

I stream everything

It all depends on where you're moving...

I'm just north of 44 and I have Spectrum. We also stream and it works fine...

Motorola router
 

I have had a Motorola router for 5 years and have received no notice that it should be replaced.

been using Netgear Nighthawk router from (best buy) with Comcast for 5 years no problems and has been much faster since. They have the one with phone connection or without .

Rent or buy a Router from Comcast
 

For 20 years, I have simply bought an Arris Router from Best Buy and have never paid for rental. I call comcast every 1-2 years and negotiate my internet fee. presently I am at 600 or 900 mbs for $60/month. I fired them for cable and phone and have used an antennae in the attic that gives me 70 HD channels and all the locals and have a Tivo DVR that gives me the best menu and recording capability with skip commercials, and 30% listening with perfect understanding. Cut the Cable!!! Also if you did not want to do Tivo, you could stream you tube tv and get unlimited dvr capability's:thumbup:

Whether you rent or buy your own depends on your tech skills and what peace of mind you want. Personally I own my own. I would look at the plans they offer to see if there is a data cap using your own. !.2 tb may seem a lot but as we connect more devices as in smart home and stream a lot more you going to be using more data. If you use you tube tv or sling or others that counts against your data usage 4k draws even more

A lot of bad information posted here. Some posts claim if you have a 100Mb internet speeds any router will do. Others claim my 5 year old router works fine. Other claims that any router will do. All of these posts are far from the truth. Anybody can go to Best Buy or Amazon and get a router on special and they think they will be saving $$$. Then later on, they will be like the dozens of posts claiming their wifi is slow, no coverage, or sometimes doesn’t even work.
If you don’t know what these words mean, you shouldn’t be setting up a router: 802.11a/b/g/ac/ax, wifi 6/wifi6e, ssid, 2.4/5ghz, mesh network, dual/tri band, bridge (wired/wireless), any of these basic network topics.
1 more thing, a router does much more than just interfacing your isp’s modem, they provide more wifi coverage at greater speeds as an example.
Hiring the geek squad/galaxy/spectrum/xfinity to setup your network is a waste of money and you can do just as good of a job as they vendors can do.

Here is the deal, I wanted to do the same and did buy a router. Called customer service to activate it and found smoke and mirrors. The rates go up when you use your own equipment. So it technically was a wash in price.

But gal dug thru promotion and said if I keep the equipment she had a deal for me. Lowered my bill by 40 bucks a month.

Completely disagree with that statement. While some of those words are important, others are just details, are advanced topics not necessary for most users, or are emerging/niche technologies.

The Xfinity technician that installed their modem/router in my house did a fine job. By using them I didn't need to learn how to use their app to do the install, I didn't need to call their number to activate the modem, I didn't need to configure the SSID and password, and I knew it all worked before they left. Yes, I *could* have done all that myself but it was much faster, easier, and more efficient this way.

If anyone is with Xfinity and want to buy their own modem, buy one with DOCSIS 3.1 capabilities. You will be able to use it for years. The one I bought on Amazon is capable of speeds up to 2.5GBPS and is recommended by Xfinity.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

My Advice and Experience - Pay The Extra
 

I'm now happy to pay the extra - and - have avoided my wife telling me "I TOLD YOU SO" based on my continued striving to be FRUGILE BUT NOT CHEAP."

I tried my own router - twice. Reviewed in Consumer Reports - purchased at Best Buy once and Amazon another time. The first time I felt "smart" for about a year and a half. The second time I felt smart for about 6 months. BUT - when you have a problem - you are on your own. I did - and you likely will. Technology - and whether true or not - provider will say it is your ROUTERS FAULT when there is a problem.

Now - I pay the little extra - have had one issue - they replaced the unit within 24 hours - re-checked everything - and was back up to optimal performance.

Spectrum?
 

I understand if you switch to Spectrum you don't need any boxes because they stream everything. I am NOT tech savy so does this make sense? MUCH cheaper than xfinity.