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+--- Thread: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions (/showthread.php?tid=178989)
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Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - Wailer - 05-05-2015
AT&T U-verse monthly service charge recently jumped from $14.95 to $42. Hence, I'm looking to switch providers.
TimeWarner Cable has a non-promotional $14.95/mo plan for the same 3Mbps. That bandwidth is fine for my needs; however, with 2 adolescents in the house and a potential to "cut the cord" as well as use VOIP, I can envision needing more bandwidth in the near future. U-verse is limited to 6Mbps in my area whereas TWC theoretically offers up to 300Mbps. The 10Mbps and 50Mbps plans are $30/mo and $35/mo, which seems reasonable if the service is reliable.
I've never had any cable service at my house, so they need to come connect me to the pole for a $15 fee. The technician will bring the modem and install it as well. Anyway, I know their $8/mo lease fee is pretty steep and I'm aware that I can buy my own modem. However, since this is a first-time hookup, I'm want to make sure everything is working and then explore my replacement options. I see pretty reputable, TWC-approved DOCSIS3.0 modems that can handle 100Mbps selling locally for $25 (used) and $70 (new) from amazon.
My questions:
1) I know I should as TWC, but I'm assuming the $8/mo modem lease isn't a contract. Can anyone confirm that I can return it at anytime? I've heard the stories about how
2) Is there any special configuration needed if you switch out the modem? Can I literally, on day 1, just hook up any compatible modem with minimal configuration? I consider myself competent enough to put a modem in bridge mode and let my router handle DHCP/NAT. I'm trying to avoid flashing or wait-on-hold phone calls to authorize the modem.
FWIW, reliability and low-latency trump bandwidth for me. I'm going for the make-sure-everything-works-before-tweaking scenario. In fact, I won't even cancel my U-verse until I'm know I've got something stable.
Thanks for any input you can provide or experiences you can share.
Re: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - cbelt3 - 05-05-2015
1) You just return the modem. GET A RECEIPT. Then be prepared to call and complain when they continue billing you for the modem.
2) When I switched out our modem with one I purchased I just activated it using their instructions.
http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/support/internet/step-by-step/modem-activation.html
FWIW, that's a pretty goshdarned good price.
Re: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - mikebw - 05-05-2015
I would go for the 50Mbps plan for sure at that price.
Re: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - Filliam H. Muffman - 05-05-2015
You don't put a modem in bridge mode.
I never had a problem with Scumcrap deleting the modem fee. Make sure you keep a copy of the receipt returning their modem with the serial number. I was still getting automated calls four days later from HAL-4999.01, reminding me to return the equipment that had already been recorded as turned in. For some reason, the customer service rep. scanning the barcode and issuing me a receipt wasn't good enough for the automated billing system...
Congratulations Comcast; You're The Worst Company In America!
oapbox: 
oapbox:As long as the modem is compatible and reasonable firmware is installed, you should only need to do minimum configuration and enter your User Name and Password.
Re: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - mikebw - 05-05-2015
Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
For some reason, the customer service rep. scanning the barcode and issuing me a receipt wasn't good enough for the automated billing system...
Yes, Comcast is the worst IMO. I've mentioned here about how they tried charging me for the modem after I cancelled service, but I owned the modem the whole time! Had to dispute the charge with my CC.
Re: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - deckeda - 05-05-2015
50Mbps for $35 would have us running in the street in Georgia. That's cheeeeeep for a non-intro rate.
Re: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - Wailer - 05-05-2015
Thanks for the tips.
Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
You don't put a modem in bridge mode.
Why do you say that?
For modems that support it, I've always put them in bridge mode. I use open source routers with good, fast DHCP. I also don't want the extra hop to the modem's router, any potential double NAT, or to use the crap gateways that most off-the-shelf modems use. It also seems a lot easier to swap out a modem in bridge mode than it would be to reconfigure a gateway.
I'd love to hear the disadvantages of putting your modem in bridge mode when you have a good, reliable router.
Re: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - mattkime - 05-05-2015
no kidding, great rates.
Re: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - Bill in NC - 05-05-2015
You'll be happy - I went from 6 (really 5.1) MBps DSL to 30 MBps TWC broadband (sadly, no MAXX upgrades here yet).
I bought a Moto combination modem/wireless router for $100, no problems getting it working.
Re: Going from U-verse to Cable. First-timer's questions - cbelt3 - 05-05-2015
Oh.. and just an aside... I would recommend a Coax surge suppressor. Based on personal experience... neighbor's house caught a lightning strike, and the surge traveled up the RG-6 Time Warner cable to my house. Toasted their modem, my Airport router, and a switch that was between the router and my Macs. Fortunately..
I have one in the loop right now, in fact.