Talk of The Villages Florida - The CenturyLink Debacle—need modem recommendations , please

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Quote:

Originally Posted by New Englander (Post 2039298)

To get 600 mbps are you using a docsis 3.0 or docsis 3.1 modem?

I have the Arris Model TG3482G modem. The specs don't mention what the docsis rating is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2039307)

I have the Arris Model TG3482G modem. The specs don't mention what the docsis rating is.

If that's the correct number it's the Xfinity XB6 Gateway Docsis 3.1 modem/router. Originally released as Docsis 3.0 then later 3.1 and now replaced with the 3rd gen XB7 (white box).
XFINITY XB6 xFi Gateway Modem TG3482G Reviews

Overview of Xfinity Gateways - Xfinity Support

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdFNJ (Post 2039291)

When you run a 10Mbps or 20Mbps or 40Mbps DSL tier the router makes no difference to someone using 1 or 2 devices. Like putting premium gas in a car that doesn't need it. On a 100Mbps+ tier I'd agree in most cases. You don't need 16 channel router capable of over a gig to run on a 20Mbps pipe to watch Netflix or YoutubeTV and text the kiddies on your phone. We're talking about a 20Mbps DSL service in this thread.

10 years of my life (20 yrs ago) was configuring and installing IBM AIX servers and office networks for the wholesale fashion industry in NYC. That being said, my opinion on a 10-20Mbps DSL connection remains the same wrt a router. :D

I agree if you've got one or two devices. Who has that? You've got two phones. Probably a TV. Maybe a Kindle or two. Maybe a tablet, maybe a laptop. Possibly a garage door opener, possibly a nest/Ring or a dozen other IOT devices. Even if you are only using one stream at a time, these devices are chatty. Park that in TV where houses are on top of each other and a crappy radio in your router turns into a less than ideal experience. It starts seeing network traffic on the same channels but it's the neighbor's routers. Sure, it just drops the traffic, it still hits the antennae. It still has to be ignored.

It's not always about the quantity of bandwidth. Certainly you don't need a Wifi 6 router on a 20mbit connection for throughput. What it will do is figuratively file it's nails while handling _your_ traffic and may need an annual reboot. There is an advantage to good equipment even on a straw of pipe.

Cabin in the woods, one TV. Knock yourself out with your el cheapo router.

From the OP: surprise, surprise ...

For those who predicted that there is not an issue with the modem, you're exactly right....

I finally reached a CenturyLink service person on a chat line—the first one I'd ever come across who seemed to know what he or she was talking about. Asked me questions in a step-by-step manner—and I suddenly realized what the problem was.

Yes, only one DSL light was on; the other was dark. I looked more closely and noticed a crack in the insulation at the point where the jack connects to the modem. That was enough for the 'Aha!' light to go on.

Thinking that one of the wires might also have broken, I replaced the cable with a different one. A 'WOW!" moment: It works perfectly! Streaming using the Roku stick works perfectly! And this with the miserably low speed of 40 mbps—or close to it. Spouse is not ready to give up a conventional 'phone company land line,' and we just don't do anything elaborate that would require significant speed.

It serves our needs. Will that change in the future? Perhaps. Meantime it's working, and once again I thank my fellow ToTVers for your support, for the information and suggestions, and perhaps most of all, for your patience!