comcast new modem + router? has anyone tried this

[maryws]

I already have a router w/ my network set up, so just wanted the upgraded modem. Has anyone gotten this new modem/router from Comcast? Is it worth changing to a new network? do you know if I can just use it as a modem & plug into my already set up router? any insights/info/advice welcome, thanks

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[maryws]

Also if anybody local would set this new one up for me for a reasonable house visit charge, let me know

Thanks

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[clark5080]

I have the updated modem (we have phone tv and internet) I use my own router in my network as I don’t want to be a comcast wifi hotspot

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[maplesyrup]

Yeah our modem was acting strangely so I swapped it out a couple of years ago. It’s really no big deal. Unplug the old one, plug in the new one and you should be good to go.

But if there’s a problem with your old one I believe you can call Comcast and they’ll send a tech to switch it out for you.

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[Smitty]

“as I don’t want to be a comcast wifi hotspot”

I’m with you. While I can appreciate the idea of wifi anywhere – it worries me that somehow, someway I will get hacked.

That said, at least one of my neighbors is allowing it! :~)

I use an airport base station – but I’m an Apple “fanboy”….

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[JTB]

I recently upgraded the modem and disabled its built-in routers so I could 1) continue to use my own router with no interference from the Comcast built-in and 2) not have the hotspot. I have a Netgear router and a Netgear switch to accommodate the various wifi devices we have. We link our video setup to the internet with wifi rather than ethernet cables. Once everything was properly set up, everything connected to my router has functioned normally. I’ve seen no difference whatsoever in functionality of anything but I don’t do much large file downloading or online gaming. We watch Netflix a lot and it’s no better than before. However, the older modems will eventually not work properly or be supported, so it’s a matter of time as to when to make the change.

There were some issues:

The day I received the new unit via UPS, Comcast changed something in the signal even before I swapped the modems and I began having problems with the various devices connected through my router. They supposedly changed the signal again after I called and they did some trouble shooting, but I continued to have the same problems.

I did the swap using live telephone support from the Comcast unit that specifically handles this wifi issue. I understand it is necessary to turn off or disable, not simply by-pass both built-in routers in order to avoid conflict between your router and theirs. My understanding is some models are less capable of having those routers truly disabled than others, so it’s an important point to discuss with the technician. Disable or by-pass. Otherwise, there is the potential of having the routers in the built-in eventually interfere with your router.

I continued to have problems with my wifi devices and computer and Comcast said they determined something was messed up with the modem when they initially activated it so they’d send a tech out with a new one the next day with no charge for the visit. That was fine because the model I had wanted originally, an XB3 was not shipped. So I was able to request the tech bring an XB3 with him. Previously a Comcast tech support person had emphatically recommended getting the XB3 as being the best model they have at present. It’s apparently available in limited areas and happily ours is one.

The tech swapped out the new modem for the malfunctioning one and had everything working properly in about 30 minutes. I observed the process for disabling the routers-the bridge mode and the hotspot.

You can get the instructions for disabling the bridge mode and hotspot at Comcast’s web site /help-and-support/Internet/wireless-gateway-enable-disable-bridge-mode/ and a slightly different route for the hotspot: /internet/disable-xfinity-wifi-home-hotspot/

I would recommend calling their wifi phone support for live assistance rather than simply following the instructions that come with the new router if you’re like me and not real tech savvy. 1-855-308-9452

Other than making the proper selections to disable the two routers, the rest is mostly a matter of following the standard procedure for disconnecting and powering off your modem and router then powering up and reconnecting in the proper sequence.

Interestingly, even though the work order showed no balance owed and I was told there would be no charge for the visit since the problem was with the modem itself, there was a charge on my bill which required that I escalate one level from the initial billing person to have reversed.

Everything has been fine since getting it set up properly.

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[maryws]

Everybody, thanks this is v helpful. Any hints on how to disable the router?

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[JTB]

Marysws, those sections I pointed out at comcast.com will provide step-by-step instructions for disabling each of the built-in routers. Also, the Comcast wifi phone support folks are easy to interact with.

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[clark5080]

My modem is just for phone and internet and i use my own router for wifi. Do they not have a modem without router and wifi now?

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[JTB]

Clark,

The short answer to your question is “no” if you’re talking about Comcast devices. However, I think it’s possible to purchase your own modem to connect to the internet, but I have no idea of what that entails as far as Comcast fees for an internet connection. Then you have the issue of the phone connection and how you enable that. I went for disabling the wifi routers in the Comcast modem because is seemed simple.

Does your wifi network connect to the internet? If so, it must be through the modem.

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[trickycoolj]

If you don’t have voice/telephone you can buy a cable modem at Costco on on Amazon for about $60-80 same one that Comcast gives you. That way you don’t have to pay the $7 rental fee. It’s an easy swap, unhook the old, hook up the new, call Comcast and say you purchased your own modem and router and would like them to be provisioned (key word). They’ll send a signal to your modem so it will reboot a few times and you’re good to go.

I recently decided to jump on a super cheap TV deal they offered with my internet only service and I had to call tech support at 9pm and didn’t even get routed to India. It was quite pleasant. I was really surprised. Competition is heating up and they’re noticing!

Edit: auto correct

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[trickycoolj]

The most popular models to use with Comcast are Motorola SurfBoard 6121 and 6141. They work for years! I’ve been using the same one for over 5 years. By not paying a $7 rental fee for 5 years I’ve saved most $500!

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[maryws]

Thanks again to everybody, after much trial and tribulation and tech help, it is up and running and hotspot disabled.

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