Home Networking / Router / & WiFi Gateway Help

[sammy2732]

so i am taklking to a comcast rep at the moment who is telling me that comcast no longer carries or issues wireless routers to people?

[ComcastNick]

Correct.  We no longer have wireless routers available.

[kman16]

How do I get my hands on a free wifi router? Can I get one sent to me from Comcast? Can I pick one up at a Comcast store? I am an existing customer. Thank you!

[Welcome_to_Post]

Comcast no longer supplies routers, and I don't think they were ever free (unless it was part of a promotion deal).

[cb2533]

On 12/26/11 I was told by a Comcast rep that wireless routers were available at no charge.  I was told I could go to the Comcast store and exchange me modem for a wireless router.  It sounds like the right hand isn't sure what the left hand is doing!!!

[Baric]

Two different things.  The free router problem has been discontinued.  You can replace or swap our your existing cable modem with wireless gateway that contains a cable modem, EMTA, and wireless router.  In general, these gateways suck and I do NOT recommend them. YMMV.

[cb2533]

Thanks for the explanation.

[Barmar]

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Welcome_to_Post wrote:

Comcast no longer supplies routers, and I don't think they were ever free (unless it was part of a promotion deal).

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They certainly did until a few months ago. You had to be renting a modem already, and you had to pay shipping&handling (about $7, I think), but there was no extra charge for the router (unlike the Home Networking option, which has a monthly charge).

[EG]

Well they weren't "free" in the sense that they still owned them and that they had to be returned just like any cable modem or TV box that they supplied if you ever cancelled their service...

[Welcome_to_Post]

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Barmar wrote:

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Welcome_to_Post wrote:

Comcast no longer supplies routers, and I don't think they were ever free (unless it was part of a promotion deal).

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They certainly did until a few months ago. You had to be renting a modem already, and you had to pay shipping&handling (about $7, I think), but there was no extra charge for the router (unlike the Home Networking option, which has a monthly charge).

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Thanks.  I think I got confused between the two.

[bellhome4]

similar situation: My WiFi light is not coming on...called Monday to speak to 'signature support' and they told me to take my SMC router/modem box (which comcast supplied me for free when I signed up for their total package, including voice) back to the store to exchange for a new piece of hardware. When I went there just moments ago, they told me they don't carry wireless in the stores & I'd have to get a tech to my house.  Support people didn't indicate that.  Now, I'm also trying to reset & 'set-up' my router on my own & the http:// link doesn't work?  Login in keeps saying it's incorrect.  HELP!

[Baric]

I would recommned you get rid of the SMC altogether, replace it with a regular cable modem/EMTA (which has support for Xfinity Voice) and get your own wireless router.  Simply replace the SMC with the EMTA and connect your router's WAN/Internet port to the EMTA's ethernet port and then follow the setup instructions for your router.

Alternately, reconnect the SMC but call Comcast at 800-363-2416 and have them place it into bridge mode (essentially turning the gateway into an EMTA and completely disabling the wireless router portion of the device), and connect your own wireless router to LAN port #1 on the SMC, then configure your router as per its instructions.

The SMCD3GNV has a horrible reputation with wireless, it has very poor range and performance.  As an EMTA it seems to work fine although in bridge mode you can't query the signal stats which is why I only suggest it as an alternate fix.

[Barmar]

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EG wrote:

Well they weren't "free" in the sense that they still owned them and that they had to be returned just like any cable modem or TV box that they supplied if you ever cancelled their service...

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True. They were only free in the sense that you didn't have to pay extra for them, as you would if you used the Home Networking option or went to a store yourself.

I guess it could be considered a free rental, not a free purchase.

[brumikid]

So, if I had my network set up by comcast and they provided the wireless modem and I buy my own do I still have to pay comcast for the gateway and modem lease? Do I just hook up my modem etc and then return comcasts and cancel network fees?

[Barmar]

Yes. If you return the modem, they should stop charging you a rental fee.

Lots of people have reported getting charged when they're using their own modem, so make sure you get a receipt.

[EG]

@ brumikid. If you really want to be happy. Don't get a combo modem/router gateway device. Go with a separate cable modem and a separate high quality router.

[MidnightCat]

Not only do they not carry wireless routers anymore, they don't carry wireless gateways either, apparently since November according to a Customer Service rep. Needless to say, I'm pretty upset because I have a broken gateway and now I need to blindly shop for a new one and hope I can install it correctly to connect to the internet.

[Baric]

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MidnightCat wrote:

Not only do they not carry wireless routers anymore, they don't carry wireless gateways either, apparently since November according to a Customer Service rep. Needless to say, I'm pretty upset because I have a broken gateway and now I need to blindly shop for a new one and hope I can install it correctly to connect to the internet.

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No, Comcast does not provide free routers anymore (what they used to provide was junky anyway).  However, they DO provide wireless gateways as a replacement for your current cable modem, in spite of your assertion to the contrary.  Not that I would recommend that option, you are MUCH better off getting a decent cable modem (maybe EMTA if you have Xfinity Voice), and get your own wireless router. 

[brumikid]

Thanks I'll do that

[MidnightCat]

I had this wireless gateway for seven years before it broke down (was a Netgear from 2004, I bought it from Comcast back then, when they allowed it and I still have the reciept, so technically, I own it). I spoke to two customer service reps about this so far, and they told me that I cannot rent/lease a wireless gateway from them, their computers wouldn't allow them to do it.  Only new customers doing it could have them. Apparently this was recent because I had an appointment with them earlier to install the new leased gateway, but I had to cancel. I have only had experience with wireless gateways and I rather not complicate the matter by trying buy a modem and router separately.

[EG]

Having a gateway has already "complicted the matter"

[Baric]

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MidnightCat wrote:

I had this wireless gateway for seven years before it broke down (was a Netgear from 2004, I bought it from Comcast back then, when they allowed it and I still have the reciept, so technically, I own it). I spoke to two customer service reps about this so far, and they told me that I cannot rent/lease a wireless gateway from them, their computers wouldn't allow them to do it.  Only new customers doing it could have them. Apparently this was recent because I had an appointment with them earlier to install the new leased gateway, but I had to cancel. I have only had experience with wireless gateways and I rather not complicate the matter by trying buy a modem and router separately.

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Consider yourself fortunate, getting a Comcast gateway is not a good thing.  Get a good DOCSIS3 cable modem (or rent one if you prefer the $7/mo as opposed to buying it up front), like the Motorola SB6120 or SB6121.  Then get a good wireless-N router to connect to it and you're done.  It's simple, works well and you don't have to deal with the crappy gateway from Comcast.

[chefcraiger]

I've finished my contract, and I'm thinking of changing to another ISP. Do I have to return my netgear router or do I own it? I can't really find a straight answer. Thanks.

[EG]

They own it and it needs to be returned. Be sure to get a receipt !!