Should I buy my own Internet cable modem or use the one from the cable company?
Is there any reason one way or another? Will a store bought modem work with my cable?
Is there any reason one way or another? Will a store bought modem work with my cable?
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
It depends,
Does the cable company give you a modem for free or do they want to lease you one at a monthly fee?
If so, how much is the fee?
Cable modems are relatively inexpensive and renting one can cost you more in the long run. Here is a good blog post: http://isp1.us/blog/time-warner-cable-internet-sued-for-modem-lease-rip-off/
Do you only have one computer or do you want to connect multiple devices to your cable Internet?
Two types of Internet devices are commonly sold.
1. Combination modem / routers, often called gateways.
2. Stand alone routers which can be connected to a stand alone modem.
DSL and Cable modems use different technology, for this reason you can't use a cable gateway (DOCSIS) with DSL or use a DSL gateway (ADSL2+) with a cable Internet connection.
Depending on the type of service you have, you'll need the proper type of wireless gateway or a broadband modem and separate wireless router.
Unlike DSL, for cable systems separate modems and routers are more common, although some cable gateway devices are available.
A highly rated DOCSIS 3.0 cable gateway is the Motorola SBG6580. It is currently about $120 at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040IUI46/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=excharge-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0040IUI46
You could also buy a standalone cable modem and connect it to a separate wireless router.
Be sure to get a newer compatible DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem such as the Motorola SB6120. It supports bonded channels and will increase your cable Internet performance.
If you buy an older DOCSIS 2.0 model and you are paying for a speed tier over 25 Mbps. then you will probably not see the throughput that you should.
I have Cox Cable 30 Mbps Internet and have had good luck with a DOCSIS 3.0 Motorola 6120. http://isp1.us/reviews/motorola-sb6120-surfboard/
You don't have to buy your modem or router from your ISP, you can get one from a local retailer such as BestBuy or Fry's or online from places like Amazon.
Most cable Internet providers use the cable modem's MAC address to activate the modem.
Every device that has a network interface has a unique MAC (Media Access Control) address. This is usually expressed in hexadecimal such as 10:25:A4:59:EF:1C
You'll have to call your cable provider with the MAC of the new modem so they can activate it on your account. The MAC address is usually printed on a sticker attached to the modem.
Separate wireless routers are fairly inexpensive. http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=wireless%20router&url=search-alias%3Daps&sprefix=wireless%20ro%2Caps%2C490&tag=excharge-20
As far as the brand goes, the brand is not as important as the model. Some manufacturers release a good model but the next is crap. I would look at the Amazon reviews of models that interest you. Even if you don't buy from Amazon the reviews will tell you a lot about which models to avoid. Look for at least 20 or more reviews with at least a 4 star rating. Read a few and see if they sound like the particular model will work for your application.
Wireless signals are affected by many factors including wall density, electrical interference, directional antenna range, etc.
Just because a particular wireless router works good at one location does not guarantee that it will have similar performance in a different location due to variance in the factors listed above.
If you are getting a new wireless router or gateway try to centrally locate it up high and away from dense walls and electrical and 2.4 GHz wireless interference such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc.
Good Luck...
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There are advantages and disadvantages to both options.
Buying the modem outright could save you some money in the long run. For example, if you buy the modem for $60 and the monthly leasing fee for a modem is $8, you would start saving money after 7 1/2 months. Also, buying the modem gives you more control over what particular make and model is on your system, although that's only a concern if your provider uses sub-standard equipment.
Leasing a modem would be advantageous if you're concerned about longevity of equipment. Should a leased modem fail, you can usually have a replacement from your cable company within a day or two and it will cost you nothing. However, if a purchased modem fails, you're at the mercy of the manufacturer and their warranty policy. Sending a modem out for repair or replacement may leave you without it for sometimes a week or more.
Another advantage to leasing a modem is that cable companies should always provided you with a modem that is compatible with your speed tier. So, buying a DOCSIS 2.0 modem now might be an inexpensive alternative, but if you decided to upgrade your service to a higher tier later, you may need to ditch it for a DOCSIS 3.0 modem.
Finally, yes, a store bought modem will work fine, but you'll need to contact your cable company to get it working. You will probably need to let them know at least the MAC address of the modem, but they will sometimes ask for manufacturer and model number, as well. The whole process should take no more than 10-15 minutes and once the modem is setup on their end (provisioned), you'll be good to go.
carrozza
Cable Modems For Cox
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RE:
Should I buy my own Internet cable modem or use the one from the cable company?
Is there any reason one way or another? Will a store bought modem work with my cable?
Anonymous
Is there something wrong with the cable company issued one? There would probably be no discernible difference between the two. The cable company may be logging the MAC address of their one so you may need to contact them to authorise the use of another one.