Your modem a hotspot
 

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,
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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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)

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

"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 :-)

It sounds as if the Comcast provided routers have quite a range.

Answers are here under "Home Hotspot"
XFINITY WiFi - FAQs

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