Hi folks

[snowybirdie]

We've been renting a modem from cable provider for internet and tv. How difficult is it to replace it with one we purchase to avoid those dang monthly charges? We're slightly tech savvy but would like an expert to set it up if possible. Need advice. Thanks

[CentralMass]

1. It os pretty simple, or at least time I did. Whst cable seevuce/internet and equipment do you have ?

Who is youf provider ?Do you a cable modem/router and a seperate cable box ,?

[snowybirdie]

3. We have

Something called Summit Broadband. Modem and cable boxes. Sincing a new modem with three cable boxes is intimidating.

[CentralMass]

6. I googled modems compatible with Summit Broadband

And it came up with some links to BestBuy and Walmart. But rather the suggesting one to you and risk steering you wrong I would suggest going to or calling a local BestBuy. The are pretty good there and will help yiu pick the right cable modem/router.

Most likely it will be one thst uses a protocol called DOCSIS 3.1.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. It's not difficult at all.

Last edited Fri Jan 6, 2023, 12:08 PM - Edit history (4)

Go to the store or visit an online site and buy one.

I'm not trying to be snarky, but I am sort of in your position.

I am a few days away from having cable run to where I live. There is currently no connection. My about-to-be provider Comcast Xfinity gave me the option of renting equipment from them or buying it on my own. The cost of renting quickly exceeds the cost of owning, in just about a year.

Following the guidelines provided by Comcast Xfinity, I went to Microcenter and bought a Motorola MG7550 cable modem router.

https://www.microcenter.com/product/467776/motorola-mg7550-docsis-30-dual-band-ac1900-cable-modem-wifi-router-combo

There are several other cable modem routers available. This was the least expensive Motorola specifically labeled as being a good match for Comcast Xfinity. I see Microcenter has the ever so slightly less evolved Motorola MG7540. I might have bought that if I had seen it. It's no big deal.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MG7540 AND MG7550?

The salesperson at Microcenter advised not paying more for features I wouldn't need.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Oh but the setup, let us know how that goes

The setup on my Verizon was hours on the phone just to enter the password. Now there would be networking issues. I think someone told me you use a Cable router to connect, then a regular phone router for networking off that. Speed would be about 20x better. But the setup frightens me, and the cost is cheaper, about $10 a month. So a $150 router is almost free after a year.

ZThanks!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. I'll let you know what happens.

This is all new equipment for me. I didn't even know what I needed when I first went shopping. It was a sales person at Best Buy who pointed out that what I need was the cable modem router combination unit. The prices at Best Buy and Microcenter were the same. I was advised not to try for the cheapest one, but to pay the bucks needed to get something that would hold up.

Usually, for just about any procedure, there's a YouTube video (or several) to walk you through the procedure. I think I'll get through it.

Thanks for writing.

[CentralMass]

4. You can physically go to Bestbuy and they will help you pick the right cable modem/router.

If you are not comfortable with installing it yourself they offer GeekSquad support to do it for a fee..

The physical process once you have it is simple. Screw the coaxial cable that was connected to your old rented modem to your new one. You need to contact your provider and give them the mac address of your new modem. It is usually on the sticker on the bottom or side of the modem.
There is also a "wifi name," and "wifi password". You enter these on any devices that you wantr to connect to your wifi network. You can login to the router ( there are instructions) and change both of those or just use the defaults.

Once your provider has updated the mac address it should work the sane as the rented one..

If you are in about a 50 mile radius of Portland OR I'll stop by and install it for a cup of coffee.. if you have any tech savy family or neigbors they can probably do it as well.

[Ferrets are Cool]

5. When I bought mine, I hooked it up, then called ATT (as my internet provider)

and they helped me set it up. Not sure if your provider will do that, but wont hurt to ask.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

7. Lotsa good advice here, I'd also say check Summit's website there may be instructions there

And could be handy to print them out.

Also, pro-tip ... take a picture of the label on the bottom of the router. For one reason, those characters are freaking small, easier to read on a screen where you can zoom in. Secondly, it's just handy to have it on your phone in general.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

10. Good advice, this:

Also, pro-tip ... take a picture of the label on the bottom of the router.

I can't read those little letters anymore (gray letters on a white background, Apple?), but I can enlarge the picture on the phone just fine.

I ordered new eyeglasses last week. The numbers indicating the dimensions of the frame were on the temple piece. To see the numbers, I had to take off my glasses. If I took off my glasses, I couldn't see the numbers. This is what is called a dilemma.

I took a picture of the numbers. I put my glasses back on and enlarged the picture on the phone. I could read them now. What dilemma?