They say I need a 32 channel (?) modem for unlimited data. Which ones are on the brain trust’s recommend list?
Many thanks.

Have you checked your ISP's list? Their system may only recognize / work with specific models. The list should be on their site.

Need more info here; are you cable or FIOS or other?

I'm assuming you are cable since you used the term "channels"

Your ISP will have a list of compatible brands and models you should check first.

I put in a Motorola MB8600 last year after upgrading my Comcast speed to 600Mbps and it's worked well.

Oh and another thing. The price your ISP will want for one of their "approved" models, be it rent or buy will be much more expensive than you buying from a third party.

Checked the approved list and found three that were 32x8, DOCSIS 3.1, Wifi.
Going by price, all three must be about the same quality, etc. Unless I hear a discouraging word, I guess it’s about time to pick one and go. Thanks
Motorola MG8702 - $270 Amazon
Netgear C7800 - $285 Amazon
Netgear CAX30 - $270 Amazon

Some ISP's are using modems w/ built in wireless routers as public access points. Xfinify (Comcast) does.

Since I have to use Xfinity, I circumvented this by using a cable modem only (woot! special) AND a separate wireless router. Using Xfinity's interactive map my home doesn't show up.

I went with an Arris Surfboard style modem when my old one starting dropping out. That was a year or two after the cable company said I needed a new one to get the optimum speed. The difference was something like 125Mbps to 250Mbps. Seems like a big change but hardly noticeable. That's fast either way.

I use a separate router for the Wifi.

Yesterday I decided to let the provider bring one of their premium, recommended modems here [I'm visiting in AZ] and swap it in for $200.

Saves me a trip to BB, trying to figure out which one to get - for DSL - . The prices for the models they offer would all cost me over $200 elsewhere. I don't have to touch wires . Or do anything. The fee goes right on Ma's bill even. :-)

Her U/D speeds were SUB - 1.0 MBPS for ages. In a few days Ma will be going to [up to 100mbps] about 50mbps download speed for her Zoom classes and maybe 25-30 for her upload speed.

Night. And. Day. Can't wait, 'cause I'm working from laptop here. Pushing 15-25 GB plans around the country.

quote:

posted June 04, 2021 03:17 PM Hide Post
Some ISP's are using modems w/ built in wireless routers as public access points. Xfinify (Comcast) does.

I have a Xfinity router/wifi combo. With the Public access turned off, my home does not show up as a wifi hotspot.

What speed service do you have or are you planning to have? I ask because 32x8 gets you into gigabit range. My 24x8 is supposed to be good for 800mbps with xfinity. I only have 200 mbps service. If you don’t have 1,000mbps service, you can get a modem for about $120.

You still aren’t giving us all the info here:

1. Do you NEED a router? Or just a modem? If you have a decent Wifi router then you don’t need a combo unit

2. What speed are you supposed to be getting? If you’re set up for 100 or 200 Mbps, paying for a gigabit modem (1000 Mbps) is a waste of money

3. What ISP do you have?

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
You still aren’t giving us all the info here:

1. Do you NEED a router? Or just a modem? If you have a decent Wifi router then you don’t need a combo unit

2. What speed are you supposed to be getting? If you’re set up for 100 or 200 Mbps, paying for a gigabit modem (1000 Mbps) is a waste of money

3. What ISP do you have?

I have suddenlink. While I’ve been laid up, I’ve apparently been doing too much surfing. The suddenlink rep said I needed to get a “32 channel” modem and go the unlimited route to have the best monthly rate. Only the three units mentioned were on their approved list with 32 channels and WIFI features. That’s all I know.

quote:

Originally posted by rscalzo:

quote:

posted June 04, 2021 03:17 PM Hide Post
Some ISP's are using modems w/ built in wireless routers as public access points. Xfinify (Comcast) does.

I have a Xfinity router/wifi combo. With the Public access turned off, my home does not show up as a wifi hotspot.

Sorry for the thread drift. This was about 4-5 yrs ago & my brother had 2 preteen daughters (my nieces) & Xfinity. At the time trying to disable the public access was about as difficult as Xfinity could make it. He refused my offer to help build a dungeon w/ a Faraday Cage.


Now back to the topic at hand:

Not sure how modern your equipment (PC/laptop, etc) is; but some things to consider.
• Gigabit Ethernet is faster than WiFi
• Gigabit Ethernet is pretty much standard on routers
• 2.5 Gigabit ethernet is even faster.
• Real world - I still get faster Gigabit Ethernet than WiFi6, but the wifi connections are more stable than before.

For most people:
Wired connection - Gigabit Ethernet is fine.
Wireless - WiFi6 is backwards compatable with previous versions.

Here is a list of Suddenlink compatable modems. Scroll down to find the full list. 32x8 is the channel bonding & WiFi vs cable modem should be self explanatory.

Hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by Sportshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
You still aren’t giving us all the info here:

1. Do you NEED a router? Or just a modem? If you have a decent Wifi router then you don’t need a combo unit

2. What speed are you supposed to be getting? If you’re set up for 100 or 200 Mbps, paying for a gigabit modem (1000 Mbps) is a waste of money

3. What ISP do you have?

I have suddenlink. While I’ve been laid up, I’ve apparently been doing too much surfing. The suddenlink rep said I needed to get a “32 channel” modem and go the unlimited route to have the best monthly rate. Only the three units mentioned were on their approved list with 32 channels and WIFI features. That’s all I know.

The Suddenlink rep probably misled you. It's true that type of modem is required for their fastest, most expensive unlimited internet service, but that is most likely not their only unlimited internet service. Go here: Suddenlink link, and type in your address to see what services they offer you.

I put in an address in Victoria, TX and found they offer a $40/month 400mbps unlimited service and a $50/month 1,000mbps unlimited service at that address. For the 400mbps service, you can use the Motorola MG7550 for $135. This has a built in Wi-Fi router. If you already have a Wi-Fi router, I'm sure there's a plain modem that will be less expensive.

Another question: do you have a bundled TV/internet/voice package from Suddenlink?

I ask because I just went through buying my own modem instead of renting one from my internet service provider. It wasn't as easy as picking one off their approved list. I had to buy additional equipment to get the TV features to work properly.

^^^As I recall, your add'l equipment was required due to the fact that you have 4K Cable/Video Streaming service. It worth noting that many, if not most, do NOT have 4K service, and therefore any requirement for add'l equipment when providing your own hardware would likely be a non issue.

Additionally, the OP should verify with certainty that he REALLY need a different/upgraded modem. I recently cancelled my Cable TV service and switched to an Internet Only service. At the time I also increased my service bandwidth as I am now streaming video content instead of watching Cable TV. I verified with tech support that my Netgear modem would support up to 935 Mbps, which is an artifical limit set be Comcast, as my modem will support 1.4 Gbps.

Anyway, I signed up for their 800 Mbps service, and shortly thereafter began getting emails (repeatedly) indicating that they've 'increased my service' from 600 Mbps to 800 Mbps....BUT that I need to get a new Modem because my equipment will not support the increased bandwidth.

YMMV, but alas, I have Comcast/Xfinity...

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by Sportshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
You still aren’t giving us all the info here:

1. Do you NEED a router? Or just a modem? If you have a decent Wifi router then you don’t need a combo unit

2. What speed are you supposed to be getting? If you’re set up for 100 or 200 Mbps, paying for a gigabit modem (1000 Mbps) is a waste of money

3. What ISP do you have?

I have suddenlink. While I’ve been laid up, I’ve apparently been doing too much surfing. The suddenlink rep said I needed to get a “32 channel” modem and go the unlimited route to have the best monthly rate. Only the three units mentioned were on their approved list with 32 channels and WIFI features. That’s all I know.

The Suddenlink rep probably misled you. It's true that type of modem is required for their fastest, most expensive unlimited internet service, but that is most likely not their only unlimited internet service. Go here: Suddenlink link, and type in your address to see what services they offer you.

I put in an address in Victoria, TX and found they offer a $40/month 400mbps unlimited service and a $50/month 1,000mbps unlimited service at that address. For the 400mbps service, you can use the Motorola MG7550 for $135. This has a built in Wi-Fi router. If you already have a Wi-Fi router, I'm sure there's a plain modem that will be less expensive.

Another question: do you have a bundled TV/internet/voice package from Suddenlink?

I ask because I just went through buying my own modem instead of renting one from my internet service provider. It wasn't as easy as picking one off their approved list. I had to buy additional equipment to get the TV features to work properly.

Now that I think about it, we’ve had no problems using WIFI. Unless there are router and modem compatibility issues to worry about, I’ll just upgrade the modem. In checking the available deals for my location, I saw a bundling offer for basic TV/high speed Internet and unlimited data for a maximum of $60/mth. What am I missing? I was told my bill would be $196 per month!
Suddenly, I’m feeling more like a victim than a customer. Xfinity also offers high speed internet in our area.

^^^Beware of Xfinity....See my post prior to yours

Were I bought my IPad was told if you use a router it should be replaced every 3 years at least.

quote:

Originally posted by Sportshooter:

I saw a bundling offer for basic TV/high speed Internet and unlimited data for a maximum of $60/mth. What am I missing? I was told my bill would be $196 per month!

Time-Warner / BrightHouse / Spectrum (or whatever name the same company is using this month) does something similar.

They offer a low price, good for 12 (or maybe 24) months, for NEW customers, while they continue to raise the rate for existing customers. We see $49.00 offers from them for new customers in our area, while we continue to pay more than double that.

I would gladly walk away from them but unfortunately the only other choice for internet service in my neighborhood is AT&T, and I'm not going to return to them!

quote:

Were I bought my IPad was told if you use a router it should be replaced every 3 years at least.

^^^^^^^^^^^
Along with your cabin filter for your car. Cannot be cautious enough.