Save money by using your own cable modem.
If you’re like most residential cable customers with high-speed Internet service, you’re probably paying an extra $10 per month — if not more — to your cable company just for renting its modem.
And $10 per month adds up quickly over time: that’s at least $120 per year.
But did you know that you have the option to use your own cable modem instead of renting one from the cable company?
Yes, you can probably use your own cable modem instead of renting it.
You might not have realized that you can actually use your own cable modem instead of renting one from the cable company, which will save you money over time.
Look, nothing against the cable company, but the simple fact is that you have a choice: Do you want to save money using your own cable modem, or do you want to continue paying rent to the cable company?
That choice is yours, not the cable company’s.
Interested in using your own cable modem? Great, but talk to us first!
There are a few things to know about using your own modem, and Smart Technology Team Solutions can help you select the right one.
For example, the modem needs to be compatible with your cable company’s Internet service.
Also, a special type of modem is required if your cable company provides you with both Internet and phone service.
Third, a more modern modem is necessary if you have super high-speed Internet service.
Have a question? Call, email, or click anytime! We’ve also included some FAQs about cable modems below.
FAQs
A cable modem is a device that connects your home to the Internet. It receives signals through a coax cable, translates those signals into a format that your home computers and other smart devices understand, and transmits those translated signals to a router.
Yes, a router is different from a modem. A router is a device that transmits the modem’s translated signals to each of your home computers and other smart devices. The transmission can be either wireless (WiFi) or wired (Ethernet).
Yes, you’ll need both a modem and a router to connect to the Internet (modem) and to transmit the modem’s signals to your home computers and other smart devices.
Not necessarily. Some modems include a built-in router, which means that you don’t need to buy a separate router. These are called “modem-router combos” because a single device acts both as a modem and as a router.
That’s a personal preference, so we really can’t answer that. Whether you buy a “modem-router combo” or a separate modem and router involves some tradeoffs. For example, a “modem-router combo” is usually less expensive than buying a separate modem and router. However, if the “router” component of a “modem-router combo” becomes defective, the “modem” component might not be usable.
Yes, in order for a modem to work, you need Internet service. Although you’ll no longer need to pay the cable company a modem rental fee, you’ll still need to pay for Internet service.
If your cable company provides you with both Internet and phone service, you’ll need a special type of modem that is voice compatible. In other words, a generic cable modem will not work for both Internet and phone service.
A DOCSIS 3.1 modem is a newer generation modem that not only handles higher Internet speeds, but also offers more “communication channels.”
In most cases, a DOCSIS 3.0 modem will work — at least for now. This is because the Internet speed for most homes is typically less than 1 Gigabit (1,000 Mb). Unless you have an ultra high-speed Internet plan, a DOCSIS 3.0 modem should work. Although a DOCSIS 3.0 modem is less expensive than a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, the DOCSIS 3.0 modem is not as future-ready as the DOCSIS 3.1 modem.