Comcast questions: Deals? Modems? Services? (rental, home, taxes)

[BarryK123]

Just got off the phone with Comcast, signing up for installation of Internet and phone service. Talking about equipment, I was told there's a $3/mo monthly rental fee for the modem. I asked about providing my own cable modem and was told since there's phone service, too, the modem is actually an MTA (a box that's both a cable modem and cable telephone interface) and I can't provide my own. Is this correct?

[D-town 720]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

Just got off the phone with Comcast, signing up for installation of Internet and phone service. Talking about equipment, I was told there's a $3/mo monthly rental fee for the modem. I asked about providing my own cable modem and was told since there's phone service, too, the modem is actually an MTA (a box that's both a cable modem and cable telephone interface) and I can't provide my own. Is this correct?

Yes its true. I just got the phone service and noticed how its box is the same thing as my old Internet box when I had comcast internet.

[Scott5280]

If you decide to use Comcast as your primary ISP ,and currently search with Internet Explorer via Windows XP and or Vista, you might consider changing to Firefox instead..I did that this morning on two of my computers. My immediate increased browsing speed and navigation was amazing. Often times Comcast and Internet Explorer are not very compatable. When the tech guy from Comcast came out yesterday to replace a modem, he gave me that Firefox tip. Even Vista works fairly well on one rather quarky laptop I have. I have been very pleased with Comcast for all my home phone,internet,cable needs.

[Legs1357]

Yup. One thing I've liked about renting a modem from comcast: if it breaks (if you didn't drop it on the floor or something like that) they'll just come out and replace it with a new one. One modem of mine got fried in a thunderstorm and they came out and replaced it no questions asked. The combined modems also have a battery in them so that if your power goes out you can still make phone calls for like 10 hrs or something like that.

[BarryK123]

Thanks. Understand about the battery. I have a similar thing now with Verizon FIOS. I do currently use Firefox and it's odd the IE would be so much slower. Perhaps there are some registry tweaks that might help that, such as MTU, or maybe the IE cache size needs to be adjusted.

[2Worlds]

Check out Qwest Price for Life... the price will never change and they have a cool wireless modem that you can rent or purchase; unlike Comcast.

[chilicheesefries]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

Just got off the phone with Comcast, signing up for installation of Internet and phone service. Talking about equipment, I was told there's a $3/mo monthly rental fee for the modem. I asked about providing my own cable modem and was told since there's phone service, too, the modem is actually an MTA (a box that's both a cable modem and cable telephone interface) and I can't provide my own. Is this correct?

For the intro period on Comcast phone, they waived the $3/month charge since when I signed up for Internet, they had a mail-in rebate for the cost of the modem, as well as $100 cash back. I signed up at comcastoffers.com. Not sure if they're still around, but it was similar to what you can get direct from comcast except better.

Make sure you keep documentation no matter what you do with comcast (who you talked to, when, what they said, etc). I had bill be different than what I was told many, many times and you have to call and argue for 15 minutes before they change it back. I've often thought they like to weed out the people who'll be willing to get ripped off by testing your patience before giving in. I know people who've worked for cable companies, and it's interesting how there are certain changes they can make at their descretion. Helps to have inside info!

I now have Internet with Qwest, price for life. No phone with them, though. It was too expensive.

[steveindenver]

I use a Voip provider (no mames .. there are tons) that charges 15/mo for free calls to all of North America, Western Europe, Australia and some places in Asia. I do not understand how Comcast and the other cable companies can get away charging so much.

Recently switched from Comcast to Qwest 20 meg down for 55/mo sans phone line "price for life." Now with taxes that 55 is actually closer to 65 but still cheaper than 8 meg comcast AND at least so far Qwest is not throttling connections after 60 seconds down to around 2 meg.

[chilicheesefries]

Originally Posted by steveindenver

I use a Voip provider (no mames .. there are tons) that charges 15/mo for free calls to all of North America, Western Europe, Australia and some places in Asia. I do not understand how Comcast and the other cable companies can get away charging so much.

Recently switched from Comcast to Qwest 20 meg down for 55/mo sans phone line "price for life." Now with taxes that 55 is actually closer to 65 but still cheaper than 8 meg comcast AND at least so far Qwest is not throttling connections after 60 seconds down to around 2 meg.

I also use a VOIP - attached to my cellphone plan for $10/month. Problem is you still need internet and both Qwest and Comcast jack up the price if you don't have a phone line for Qwest or cable for Comast.

[steveindenver]

Yeah you still come out way ahead though.

Comcast made me laugh when I called to cancel. "Sir why did you not call us to see if we could lower your rate?" Me "Gee are you saying you knowingly overcharged me?"