buy my own cable modem?

[jeffr]

I currently have WOW (wideopenwest) broadband cable. They charge me something like $6-$7 a month to use their cable modem. Can I just buy my own?

[RayCom]

You can buy your own, however if you need a new one for any reason, e.g. lightning, bad hardware, etc. you will have to replace at your own expense. I'm on my 3rd cable modem, due to above and my cable company (Charter) has replaced the bad ones no questioned asked. Ray

[bailey]

I think what you save will more than cover the cost of a new modem,
I always buy my own, and never has gone bad yet.

[jeffr]

Do I have to get the same brand they have? Are there certain types, etc..?

[bailey]

no, I don't belive so, I would recommend the linksys cable modem,
modems are all pretty much the same, except some of the cheap one are just that.

[sataraid0]

I bought my own and after a year, began to save money. Never had a problem with my own modem, they are pretty reliable.

In answer to your question about what one to buy, check with your cable company to find out which ones are compatible with their system. They should be able to supply a list of brands and models of which modems you can use with their system.

I have comcast here and they supplied me with a list. Then from that list I dedided which one to get and hookup my self.

Good Luck and hope this helps.............................Sterling

[sdkfz]

You can also go to the store locally (Best Buy/Circuit City etc) where you can sign up for the service as a new customer. They will have the modems there that are compatible, the trick is finding the store affiliated with your cable company. Back in teh Boston area it was Best Buy and when I got here the modem was still OK to use.

[glc]

Generally, any modem will work as long as it complies with the DOCSIS standards that your provider uses. You will have to phone in the MAC address of the new modem before your connection will work.

[jeffr]

I heard back from WOW and they said "If you decide to purchase one, your cable modem must be DOCSIS 1.0 (or higher) compliant." They will not provide any support for the new modem, however.

glc, what brand would you recommend?

[kevinf]

motorola surfboards are excellent brands for cable modems, they even have it for free in circuit citys in my area after rebates

[Byte 2.0]

rebates are normally only good with new service.

I am staying alway from the motorla surfboards as they tend to have upload speed issues. I never get my full upload side with mine 5100.

I use my tosiba 2100pcx or some odd letters and have have much better upload.

Call your cable company before you buy one and get model numbers of ones they allow to make certain you are compatiable.

I have owned my own pair of Cable modems for 2 years, I brought the SB5100 when I thought my tosibha was having issues, after the tech stated I didn't have a line problem, After I got the sb5100 had the same problem and then the same problem with their rental. Then they fixed the line.

So that is why i have 2 modems. Rental fee is abot 3 dollars with comcast. So it takes about 2 years to pay for a modem to be cheaper then my rental fee. I have got 2 years, even this month out of mine, so I am now entering the money saving phase.

However at 6-7 dollars a month rental, that is high and the saving will come quicker when you do run the numbers.

[jeffr]

So what's better? D-Link, Motorola, or Linksys?

[Byte 2.0]

Today, if I had to buy a cable modem. Myself I would go with a Linksys, making sure it is compatiable with the cable company.