Novice Would Like to Replace Rented Router/Modem

alanattom · Sep 3, 2017

We've read lots about the cost-saving potential of replacing the cable company's (in our case, Spectrum/Time Warner) router/modem.

We currently have one of their Technicolor boxes. It's hard-cabled to our W10 desktop, and it also provides wi-fi and phone service for the house.

From what I've read, it seems like we'd need to buy 2 boxes to replace this Technicolor (one for wi-fi, the other for the desktop), and then we'd still need the Spectrum box for the home phone. We'd also need to "bridge" the new boxes to the Technicolor.

My wife would definitely not appreciate all those boxes and cables
:/, and I'm confident I'd make a mess of the "bridging", if I could do it at all.

My questions:

1. Why the heck can't I just buy a single Technicolor box (or something better!) similar to what we now have?

2. Does everyone who wants to save the monthly rental have to be technically expert so they can assemble the 2-3 boxes required?

Thanks much for any help!

Alan

USAFRet · Sep 3, 2017

Firstly, look at your ISP's list of recommended devices. Those are known to work, and if you ever have an issue, they can't blame a non-approved modem as "the obvious issue"

There won't be a mess of cables. Assuming you wire it correctly.

And you don't need to be a tech expert. Modem connect to the coax from TW, router connects to the single port on the back of the router.
Done.

alanattom · Sep 3, 2017

Wow, thank you for the quick response! Much appreciated!

Please excuse this probably dumb follow-on: The new modem would connect to the TW coax and it would provide both the home wifi and also the desktop hard-wired service (and the old router/modem would only handle the phone)?

Thanks again,

Alan

USAFRet :

USAFRet · Sep 3, 2017

The "modem" doesn't provide WiFi or hardwired service.
It is simply the translator between TW and a 'router'. It accepts the coax in, and outputs a single ethernet line, to the router.
The router is what serves all your internal devices, either wired or WiFi.

In your current case, those are in the same physical box.

USAFRet · Sep 3, 2017

And you could almost certainly "buy" the exact same box you have now. Or slightly better if they have one on their list.

alanattom · Sep 3, 2017

Thank you (again)! I really do appreciate you taking the time to help.

I followed your advice and checked the Spectrum/TW list of approved modems. It seems each of their recommended modems is either "internet modem only" or "wifi modem". Does that mean Spectrum requires us to purchase one of each (one for internet and a second for wifi) so we'd then wind up with 3 boxes?

(Here's their list: https://www.timewarnercable.com/content/dam/residential/pdfs/support/internet/spp-compatible-modems.pdf)

Thanks again,

Alan

USAFRet · Sep 3, 2017

Those are all "just the modem".

It is "compatible" with whatever router you choose.
Like this one from Linksys, as an example: https://www.linksys.com/us/p/P-CM3024/
Or this one from Netgear: https://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/cable-modems-routers/CM600.aspx

(not specific recommendations, just examples)

You would also need to buy a router to provide signal to all your devices, both wired and WiFi.

USAFRet · Sep 3, 2017

Ah...hang on.
Looking at the list you linked...
The ones marked "WiFi Modem" are modem/router, in a single box.

Like this Arris: http://www.arris.com/surfboard/products/wi-fi-cable-modems/sbg6400/
Or this Netgear: https://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/cable-modems-routers/C6300.aspx

These do WiFi of varying speed, and have 2 or 4 ethernet ports on the back.

alanattom · Sep 3, 2017

Hi,

Afraid I'm still confused... the Linksys page seems to indicate we'd need a separate wifi router: he https://www.linksys.com/us/p/P-CM3024/

I'm sure I'm missing something!

Thanks,

Alan

USAFRet · Sep 3, 2017

alanattom :

Yes. That Linksys is modem only.

The other two in my second reply (Arris and Netgear) are modem+router.

Basically, from your list...anything marked "WiFi Modem" is a single box, containing modem+router. You only need that single box.

alanattom · Sep 4, 2017

Hi USAFRET,

Okay, got it (finally, I hope):

1. The new Arris (excellent reviews and price on Amazon) will control the desktop W10 (via an Ethernet cable from the Arris to the desktop).

2. The Arris will also provide the home wifi (I will turn off the wifi in the Technicolor settings).

3. The Technicolor will still control the home phone, and I will bridge it to the Arris.

I looked for an explanation of how to bridge, and I found this: http:// I'll study that carefully!

I hope the above is correct.

I think I now understand why so few customers wind up switching from the cable company router/modem.

Thank you very much again for your patience, clear instructions, and time! Much appreciated (and I hope others find this thread useful).

Alan

[/quotemsg]

Yes. That Linksys is modem only.

The other two in my second reply (Arris and Netgear) are modem+router.

Basically, from your list...anything marked "WiFi Modem" is a single box, containing modem+router. You only need that single box.[/quotemsg]

USAFRet · Sep 4, 2017

alanattom :

Hi USAFRET,

Okay, got it (finally, I hope):

1. The new Arris (excellent reviews and price on Amazon) will control the desktop W10 (via an Ethernet cable from the Arris to the desktop).

2. The Arris will also provide the home wifi (I will turn off the wifi in the Technicolor settings).

3. The Technicolor will still control the home phone, and I will bridge it to the Arris.

I looked for an explanation of how to bridge, and I found this: http:// I'll study that carefully!

I hope the above is correct.

I think I now understand why so few customers wind up switching from the cable company router/modem.

Thank you very much again for your patience, clear instructions, and time! Much appreciated (and I hope others find this thread useful).

Alan

How exactly is the phone connected to the Technicolor ?

alanattom · Sep 4, 2017

Phone wire from TimeWarner wall phone jack into the Technicolor

USAFRet · Sep 4, 2017

alanattom :

Rats. I guess that has to stay in there.
But yes...turn off all of its WiFi and other functions. Let the new one do all that.

alanattom · Sep 5, 2017

Thanks (again!).

Just discovered another potential complicator: Ive just read (http://smallbusiness.chron.com/run-two-routers-off-one-cable-connection-56718.html) that this all requires a splitter at the wall (so that I can run separate coax to each modem/router).

Is that accurate? (If not, do I leave the coax as-is: from the wall to the Technicolor?)

Thanks,

Alan
P.S. -- After all my recent research and Googling, I find it hard to believe no one has written a complete step-by-step on how to replace the cable company's rental modem/routers. Maybe this isn't as common as I've assumed?

USAFRet · Sep 5, 2017

alanattom :

Your main complication is the inclusion of the landline phone.
Absent that, this would be trivially easy.

You can daisy chain the 2 devices.
Wall->coax->Technicolor->ethernet->New router->Devices via WiFi and ethernet.

The Technicolor is still the "modem", and also handles the phone bit. After that, the new router does all the PC and WiFi stuff.

I'm not so sure about the coax splitter thing. Doing that, the ISP would see 2 x modems. Not good.

alanattom · Sep 5, 2017

Thanks!

(I have to admit we'd be glad to get rid of the Spectrum phone. Problem is, Spectrum told me that if I drop their phone service we would no longer qualify for our "package" AND THEREFORE OUR MONTHLY BILL WOULD INCREASE! Perhaps this is part of their retention policy? Sadly, where we live (NC), there is no competition, except for the much slower Dish).

USAFRet :

alanattom · Sep 5, 2017

Thanks.

I'd love to drop the Spectrum phone, but they tell me our bill would then INCREASE (because we'd no longer qualify for our current "package").

Alan

USAFRet · Sep 5, 2017

alanattom :

Yes, that is often the case. The bundle is less expensive.

But...here's a possible alternative:
Consider an Ooma. VOIP phone, plugs into your router.
Keep their phone service (for the bundle price), but do not use it. Use the Ooma thing for your house phone.
I have one, several years now. Zero phone issues. $5 month.

alanattom · Sep 5, 2017

USAFRet :

alanattom :

USAFRet · Sep 5, 2017

Thanks!
I have heard good things about Ooma... would that make our switch easier to do?

Alan

Probably, yes. You would no longer need the Technicolor router in the mix..
Coax from the wall, direct to your new modem/router.

A single box, and the Technicolor lives in a cardboard box in the garage. Or give it back to them.

Question..is there also TV service involved with this?

alanattom · Sep 6, 2017

Hi,

Yes, we have a full cable package. Part of the bundle for us (cable TV, phone, internet and wifi).

I was hoping to eliminate the Spectrum modem/router monthly $10 charge, and now I need to consider whether giving up part of that savings (to Ooma or perhaps to our current cell provider) in order to reduce the complexity is worth it.

Thanks,

Alan

USAFRet · Sep 6, 2017

And the TV service complicates it again.

I know with my Verizon FiOS service, a Verizon router must be in the mix, to talk to the TV boxes.
But I bought mine, so no monthly fee.

alanattom · Sep 6, 2017

Yes, thanks, that makes sense.

I guess at this point (now that I finally understand what's involved, thanks to you!), I need to decide if the potential $10/month savings for the next couple of years(?) is worth the risk of this old guy messing up the switch.

Thanks,

Alan

Novice Would Like to Replace Rented Router/Modem

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