How To Use Xfinity Phone Service With My Own Modem

Not too long ago, I highlighted iii ways to get rid of your Comcast modem rental fee after Comcast Xfinity killed my former Netgear gateway (modem + router). Comcast recently raised their modem rental fee for the xFi gateway to a ridiculous $14 per month (or $168 per year) in January, 2020. And as of mid-2020, they take raised the price for their "xFi Complete" service to a ridiculous $25 per month (or $300/year). You lot don't need either. Replacing an Xfinity modem with your own is an excellent way to cut your total Xfinity bill. I've saved thousands in doing so over the years, and I'll detail how in this article, with a listing of the best modems and routers to supercede Xfinity xFi with beneath. It's piece of cake – you can do it!

I had successfully tried the Comcast negotiation road before – but it'southward like shooting fish in a barrel to forget to telephone call in to negotiate every 6 months or so. And, when you lot become a discount on your modem rental, it leaves you with little leverage to negotiate bigger discounts on the price of the net service. Besides. I hated seeing a device with a niggling "Xfinity" logo on information technology sitting side by side to my figurer. And, Xfinity is even using leased modems every bit WiFi hotspots (but you tin can opt out).

So, I decided to supercede the Comcast-endemic gateway, with my own, at a current cost savings of $168 per year. Don't let Comcast fool you – anyone can exercise this on their own. Now, I am no longer paying the ridiculous $14 per month rental fee for a Comcast modem – and I want to share how you can do the same.

Update: I've also written more broadly on how to get rid of your ISP modem rental fee (if you're not a Comcast client).

Here is How to Replace a Comcast Modem with your Own, in 4 Easy Steps:

I will specifically particular how I replaced a Comcast modem with my own, merely this should be applicable to other ISPs also.

1. Buy an Xfinity Compatible Modem & Router or a Gateway to Supervene upon your Comcast Modem

You practise not need to purchase a 2-in-1 gateway device (modem + router in 1 device), such as the one Comcast commonly supplies and brands equally "xFi". You can go with a cablevision modem and pair it with a wireless router. It will work the same, but buying separately allows you to replace one one-half of the combo if y'all desire to upgrade more cheaply in the future, versus the entire (more expensive) device. Not to mention, this setup is often more reliable, based on reviews of gateways.

how to replace Comcast modem

There is a list of Xfinity supported cable modems that are compatible and supported with their network (and many modems are uniform even if not supported). Comcast recently upgraded their network to DOCSIS 3.1, but information technology is backwards compatible to previous generation DOCSIS model modems (e.thou. DOCSIS 3.0).

The customer support tech I had spoke to previously had recommended a now obsolete Motorola gateway. Later doing some research, however, I had noticed that this device had horrible reviews due to a number of problems working with Comcast's network through firmware updates (or, lack of).

Instead, I opted to go for an Arris Surfboard SB6190 modem and paired it with a TP-Link AC1750 router. Both were top sellers in the cable modem and router categories on Amazon and had outstanding reviews. I paid a full of $140, which ways the devices would exist completely paid for in fees saved in less than a year (versus the $168 to rent the Comcast Xfinity xFi modem)! Then, it's free and clear until the devices dice many years later!

Those were my picks then, but new and improved modems and routers come out all of the fourth dimension. I'd probably choose Motorola MB8611 modem and TP-Link AX1800 router if I were ownership today, but any of the following modem + router combos will be more than sufficient for 99.9% of users. Remember, a modem + a router = a gateway. You lot demand to buy both a modem and router, or alternatively a combo gateway, which has the functionality of both. I combed through every Xfinity-compatible modem bachelor, so you don't have to. Just select from any of the following modem and router combinations below (all are Xfinity-supported and compatible and will work with most other ISPs likewise):

Best Modems (Pair with a Router Beneath):

These modems have the latest/greatest applied science and volition exist able to meet top ISP speeds for a long time. All are pinnacle sellers on Amazon with 4+ star customer ratings, offer the latest DOCSIS 3.1 applied science, over 1 Gbps (=ane,000 Mbps) speed capabilities, and have been chosen for great value for their toll. If you're paying for top speeds with Xfinity, become with one of these.

Motorola MB8611: upward to 2.33 Gbps (DOCSIS 3.ane)
Netgear CM2000: upward to 2.33 Gbps (DOCSIS 3.1)
Arris S33: upward to ii.33 Gbps (DOCSIS iii.i)

Proficient Modems (Pair a with a Router Below):

These modems are all proficient every bit well, use DOCSIS 3.0 technology, have high (close to 1 Gbps) but slightly lower pinnacle speed capabilities, in substitution for lower prices. These are also all top sellers on Amazon with iv+ star client ratings.

Arris SB8200: up to 957 Mbps (DOCSIS 3.i)
Netgear CM700: upwardly to 935 Mbps (DOCSIS 3.0)
Arris Surfboard SB6190: upwards to 859 Mbps (DOCSIS 3.0)

Modems with Xfinity Vocalisation Capability (Pair with a Router Below):

In my view, Xfinity Voice is overpriced, with much cheaper VOIP landline options out at that place that you can connect to whatever router (run across Ooma). Merely, if you are sure you want it, the following modems are Xfinity Voice compatible:

Netgear CM2050v: up to 2.33 Gbps (DOCSIS three.1)
Arris T25: upwards to 949 Mbps (DOCSIS three.ane)

Routers (Pair with a Modem Above):

The following routers all handle one Gbps+ speeds, offering great value, and are highly rated Amazon best sellers with 4+ star client ratings and pair nicely with the modems above. The first 3 offer newer WiFi vi technology.

TP-Link AX3000 – WiFi half dozen: upward to 3 Gbps (2.402 Gbps on 5GHz ring + 575 Mbps on the ii.4 GHz ring)
TP-Link AX1800 – WiFi 6: up to one.8 Gbps (1.two Gbps on 5 GHz band + 574 Mbps on ii.4 GHz band)
Netgear Nighthawk AX1800 – WiFi half-dozen: up to i.viii Gbps (i.2 Gbps on 5 GHz band + 574 Mbps on ii.four GHz band)
TP-Link AC1750 – WiFi 5: up to one.75 Gbps (1.2 Gbps on 5GHz band + 600 Mbps on the 2.four GHz band)

Gateway Modems (with Router Born, Don't Pair with Dissever Router):

You don't need a modem and router in a philharmonic unit (aka "gateway"), equally they work the same as any modem and router combo. They are a fleck on the more than expensive side and if you want to upgrade either modem or router functionality, you need to buy an entirely new device (vs the half you want to upgrade). Merely, if yous want a combined unit, check out the following devices:

Arris G36: up to two.33 Gbps, WiFi half dozen
Netgear CAX30: upwards to 949 Mbps, WiFi half-dozen

2. Telephone call Comcast to Actuate your Modem (Or, Utilize the Activation App)

Subsequently you get your new modem and router combo, you can activate your modem using the Xfinity app or you can call Comcast customer service to activate. Select "technical back up" when you call in. When you lot are connected to a tech, tell them you bought your ain new modem to replace your Comcast modem.

They will beginning by asking yous for the MAC address and Serial Number listed on your new device then that they tin can send a indicate to your device. I've had my share of bad Comcast customer service experiences, just this i was surprisingly positive and unproblematic. The tech walked me through getting my internet up and running with my new modem. Within 5 minutes, I was connected at the full internet speeds I was paying for – the same speeds I had from the Comcast gateway.

The Comcast tech besides removed the modem fee code in my billing profile (I didn't have to ask for this, simply you may accept to). Finally, he gave me the accost of a service center to render my Comcast modem. You can verify on your Xfinity device contour hither, if y'all'd similar, as well every bit on a future Comcast billing statement.

three. Connect your Mobile Devices to your Router WiFi

Once yous accept your modem and router running, you should secure your WiFi network and connect your devices.

Yous can hands set your network name and your countersign on your router. Y'all'll then demand to go dorsum to each device (laptop, cell phones, tablet, etc.) to choose the new network and enter the password.

Each router volition have slightly dissimilar instructions on how to do this, but all you need to know is that it's a adequately simple and straightforward process. Total time invested was about xv minutes.

For readers who are concerned near losing Comcast Voice capabilities I highly recommend purchasing an Ooma device. I've been using an Ooma for over a decade with Comcast and it works only as well. It merely costs a few bucks per twelvemonth in taxes, and so you save significantly over Comcast Voice and allow yourself more negotiation power in the future. You simply plug the Ooma device in to the back of your router, plug your phone into the Ooma, and you're all set.

iv. Return your Old Comcast Modem!

Don't forget to return your old Comcast-supplied modem or gateway. The tech told me I had 45 days to due this earlier Comcast listed the device as missing and charged me for it. You lot volition not be charged for the device in the meantime, you lot just need to make certain to return it within the 45 days.

Y'all tin starting time your Xfinity device render online. And hither is a list of Comcast Xfinity service centers to return your device. They are by and large open Monday – Sabbatum during normal business hours.

Make certain to get a receipt for your device return! I have heard of a few examples where the returnee did not exercise so and ran into afterwards problems. Whatsoever time you can continue a paper trail with Comcast, it's usually a skillful thing, so you don't go stuck with unwarranted fees after on (fifty-fifty when you lot own your ain modem).

Update: I've besides written about how you can go rid of your Xfinity DVR & TV Box fee through owning your own streaming device like a Roku or Smart Boob tube, saving $eight.fifty per month ($102/year) for the first device, and $7.fifty/calendar month ($xc/year) for each additional device.

Replacing your Comcast Modem Fee Give-and-take:

Accept you lot replaced your Comcast modem with your ain?
What gateway or modem/router combo do you personally recommend?

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Xfinity Mobile Review
Comcast Broadband Usage Caps