{"id":1284,"date":"2017-10-18T18:37:37","date_gmt":"2017-10-18T18:37:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.netgear.com\/?p=1284"},"modified":"2025-06-18T20:37:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T03:37:58","slug":"youre-better-off-buying-cable-modem","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/hub\/network\/youre-better-off-buying-cable-modem\/","title":{"rendered":"Still Renting Your Cable Modem? Here\u2019s Why You\u2019re Better Off Buying."},"content":{"rendered":"

Still Renting Your Cable Modem? Here\u2019s Why You\u2019re Better Off Buying.<\/h1>\n

Still Renting Your WiFi Modem From Your Service Provider? Here’s Why You Should Buy and Not Rent.<\/h2>\n

Internet service, wireless modems and routers \u2013 the three pillars that keep your home network up and running. \u00a0To ensure a fast network, you need an internet service plan that\u2019s ideal for your needs. And to ensure support for the speed tiers, you need up-to date hardware. So, if saving money and getting the WiFi speeds you are paying for are important to you, then maybe it\u2019s time to buy a new Cable Modem<\/a><\/strong> or WiFi Cable Modem Router<\/strong><\/a>. Moving to an ownership model for your networking equipment could save you hundreds of dollars over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t

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A substantial number of US cable subscribers receive their WiFi Cable Modem Router from their Internet Service Providers (ISP) and are unknowingly paying for more than just their internet service plan. If you are one of them, chances are you\u2019re paying between $5-10 in rental fees every month above your monthly internet plan bill. That\u2019s up to $120 a year, every year! And while ISP\u2019s don\u2019t advertise it, you are NOT required to rent.<\/p>\n

Rental Fees Aside, What\u2019s Wrong With Renting?<\/h2>\n

When it comes to rented WiFi Cable Modems, money isn\u2019t the only thing on the line. The quality of your internet connection also suffers. ISP provided Modems and Gateways are often outdated and do not have the capability to support the speeds that you are paying for. \u00a0For instance, CNET<\/a> reports that Time Warner Cable modem renters are getting WiFi speeds that are \u201capproximately 80% slower than promised<\/em>\u201d, due to subpar WiFi modems.\u00a0 In many instances,\u00a0you are renting very dated equipment that has been redeployed and refurbished several times before arriving on your doorstep.<\/p>\n

As a renter, you don\u2019t have any options to choose from. The ISP makes the choice for you and it could often be with a profit motive. Looking at these numbers, it\u2019s quite obvious and alarming to note: \u201cBetween May 2012 and February 2016, subscribers paid $600 million in modem fees alone<\/em>.\u201d (CNET.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, with rented modems or gateways, you\u2019re giving your ISP full reign over your internet connection. ISP owned modem routers have an added firmware that provider\u2019s control, which means they can disable or enable WiFi features whenever they want.<\/p>\n