Forum Discussion

TomAZ's avatar
TomAZ
New Contributor
7 years ago

Upgrading Modem

I have Ultimate 300 and voice and need to upgrade my modem. I don't want the Panoramic modem because I already have a mesh router set up and it appears that the Pano can't be put in bridge mode.

Before I go to the store (Tempe, AZ -- Tempe Marketplace) I'd like to know the following:

Does the store have the Arris TM 3402 in stock?

Is there a rental fee for this modem?

Should I bring my old modem with me?

They do not answer the phone at this store, which is sort of frustrating.

Thoughts?

  • Bruce's avatar
    Bruce
    Honored Contributor III
    7 years ago

    You don't rent a standalone modem.  You purchase it.

    If Cox comes to your house to initially install your Internet service, they'll charge your bill for a modem.  You can rent a router from Cox (Panoramic), which includes an Internet and phone modem, but that'd be the only time you'd rent one...that is, to partially rent one.

    Cox has a list of "certified" modems for their network.

    https://www.cox.com/residential/support/cox-certified-cable-modems.html

    You don't have to purchase an Internet modem from Cox.  You can buy it anywhere you want.  Just ensure it's on the list of approved modems.

    Also, don't buy somebody's used modem because Cox has them identified, logged, archived...or something...I don't know.  I read a post about a subscriber trying to activate a used modem but Cox wouldn't do it.  I think they just want to sell modems.

    • TomAZ's avatar
      TomAZ
      New Contributor
      7 years ago

      Thanks for the reply. From what I understand, the modems with VOIP are not available for purchase. They are made specifically for the telecoms. Cox was not going to charge me for the Panoramic modem.

      I have searched for it, and the Arris TM3402, which is a Cox voice compatible modem, is not available for purchase with voice capability. There's a listing on Amazon, but in the fine print you'll find the following: Not compatible with bundled voice services.

      Cox owns the modem I have now and I pay no rent.

      • Bruce's avatar
        Bruce
        Honored Contributor III
        7 years ago

        Cox cannot...by law...force you to rent a telephone modem.  If you want telephone service from Cox, Cox must freely give you the modem.  That it until you cancel service...then they'll want it back or happily charge you $300.

        If you have an outdated telephone modem...like I did...exchange it at your Cox Store.  However, it sounds like your local Cox Store doesn't have any more free telephone modems, so they have to give you something for telephone service.

        Telephone modems are free.  Internet modems are not free.  You can rent an all-in-one device from Cox for bundled service, that's a rental fee.

        A Panoramic all-in-one as an telephone-only device is kinda an overkill, but, perhaps, it could be just temporary until they get more units in stock.

        ...if your current Cox telephone modem works, just hang on to it until more are in stock.