Saving money.

[SportsChick]

Modem's aren't something you need to replace often. Comcast charges like $7 a month to rent one - I want to say Brian and I paid $59 or so for ours

[Pappy13]

^^That's pretty low end though. You're gonna spend more like around $90 to get one comparable to the one I got from ATT&T. I'm not sure what they charge me a month but it's something like around $7 I think. That would basically take me a year to recover the cost of the router and if anything goes wrong with it, they replace it for free.  I'm not saying you won't save money, but maybe you'll save what $90 over a 2 year period? That's 3.75 a month you're saving.  No, you don't have to change modems every 2 years, but technology changes pretty quick. Waiting more like 3 or more years and you have an old piece of equipment.  I don't really feel like I'm being screwed by them.

[Brian Fein]

Anything that helps reduce monthly cost is worth it.  Not to mention that if you move, you get to keep the equipment and potentially re-sell it, as opposed to just dropping it off at their office.

When it can be owned for under $50, why pay $7 a month (plus taxes) to rent it?

[Pappy13]

Anything that helps reduce monthly cost is worth it.  Not to mention that if you move, you get to keep the equipment and potentially re-sell it, as opposed to just dropping it off at their office.

When it can be owned for under $50, why pay $7 a month (plus taxes) to rent it?

I have cable internet. You ain't getting a new decent cable wireless modem/router for $50. You'd be hard pressed to find one as nice as the one they gave me for close to $100. I can save $3.50 a month by switching from Doritos to some off brand too, but I ain't doing it because I like Doritos better. Some things I'll pay a little more for. That's just me though.

[Brian Fein]

I also have cable internet and the modem i bought was the EXACT same one that I was renting.  EXACT SAME.  For $50.  I don't know what you have, but you have to evaluate what makes sense for you.  For me, and for Dave, it makes perfect sense.

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Surfboard-SB5101-Cable-Modem/dp/B000JV9LUK/ref=pd_sim_e_1

[Spider-Dan]

I have cable internet. You ain't getting a new decent cable wireless modem/router for $50. You'd be hard pressed to find one as nice as the one they gave me for close to $100.

What value-added features are you getting from your modem/router?

Keep in mind that the $7 per month rental fee that Brian is talking about is for a MODEM ONLY.  No router.  So to the $47 that Brian paid for his replacement cable modem, you can add:

$28 for a single-band wireless N router
$60 for a dual-band wireless N router
$100 for a dual-band wireless N gigabit router

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the AT&T-provided modem/router combos are neither gigabit nor dual-band N (if they are even N at all).

[Brian Fein]

I had to use a router no matter if I rented or purchased.  I already owned the router.

[Buddhagirl]

Hmmm....I have a router/modem combined from ATT. I thought I bought it, but I need to check.

[Dave Gray]

I bought a comparable (probably better, since I got a Motorola) modem for $74.19, after tax.  I have to pay $7 + Tax, per month.

I didn't even look for a modem online or a sale, because I just wanted to get it done, while I had the initiative.  But, I see them online from Amazon for $46.95.  After having done this process, and seeing how easy the switch is, I don't see any reason for anyone not to attempt it.  Even if the modem dies once a year (which they don't), I'll still be able to save.  Anything after that is free money.

[Pappy13]

Keep in mind that the $7 per month rental fee that Brian is talking about is for a MODEM ONLY.  No router.

Well in that case I understand. That sounds like he is/was getting ripped off. I got a cable modem with a built in wireless router with my internet service almost 2 years ago and now that I look at my bill, I don't even see where they are charging me for it. I see where they are charging me for my DVR and for each of my cable TV boxes, but no seperate charge for my wireless router/modem. Maybe I have paid it off or perhaps the charge is all rolled up into my Internet monthly charge which is $40 for 10 gig download and 2 gig upload, but if that's the case then me going out and buying a cable modem/router wouldn't save me anything. I guess it just depends on what your package provides.

And no, it's g not n, but since n has only been around since late 2009 and I think I've had this router since early 2010, that's not really that surprising.

[bsfins]

Hmmm....I have a router/modem combined from ATT. I thought I bought it, but I need to check.

If you're on AT&T DSL,not u-verse...More than likely you bought yours upfront,or they gave you one...

I've got my speedstream 5100,they gave me when I signed up in 2005 (Charged me $99,then credited me back the $99 on my bill). If it breaks,(more than likely) I have to buy a newer one...

Pappy, you've got At&T u-verse? It's just come available here,which is one of the reason they're screwing me quite a bit with my DSL...

[Buddhagirl]

If you're on AT&T DSL,not u-verse...More than likely you bought yours upfront,or they gave you one...

I've got my speedstream 5100,they gave me when I signed up in 2005 (Charged me $99,then credited me back the $99 on my bill). If it breaks,(more than likely) I have to buy a newer one...

Pappy, you've got At&T u-verse? It's just come available here,which is one of the reason they're screwing me quite a bit with my DSL...

I'm on DSL and I think you're right. This is my second one and there was a fee up front.

I think they're trying to force people into U-Verse. My DSL connection sucks all of a sudden. Trying to fix it, but their solution is U-Verse. I'd go for U-Verse except that my landlord pays for cable. Why add the extra bill?

[SportsChick]

Brian and I have comcast so a router is separate. We just replaced that earlier this year but the old one was lime 10 years old.

[Phishfan]

I'd go for U-Verse except that my landlord pays for cable. Why add the extra bill?

What extra bill? Wouldn't you just be switching your DSL bill for a U-Verse bill?

[Buddhagirl]

What extra bill? Wouldn't you just be switching your DSL bill for a U-Verse bill?

I thought for U-Verse you had to get both internet and cable.