Considering dropping DSL modem rental, bad idea?

[davec]

We have DSL high speed internet through Frontier and have been paying a monthly modem rental fee. I contacted Frontier about purchasing a ADSL modem, and avoiding the rental fee, and they stated I could do that but their support of internet service would not cover the modem I purchase. How difficult is it to install/maintain my own ADSL modem? Am I asking for a bunch of headaches? If I do purchase a modem are there certain models/brands that seem the most reliable and compatible with my Mac?

We current rent a Siemens Speedstream modem (5 ethernet ports) which is connected to an AirPort BaseStation. This system works well, but Frontier is wanting to replace the current rental modem with a new (but more expensive) rental. They state they will discontinue supporting the original modem "in the near future".

Thanks for your help!

Dave

[M A V I C]

How much do they charge you?

[davec]

Currently we are charged $4.99 a month. I believe they are increasing the charge to $5.99 or $6.99 a month.

Dave

[Gutenberg]

I am on my third Westell 7500 from Verizon in a little over a month. I have no idea whether it is ADSL or what, except that it's a piece of donkey dung.

Edit: Fortunately, it's a free piece of donkey dung and Verizon has to pay to replace it. Don't know whether yours will be more reliable.

[davec]

The rental will cost us $72 to $84 a year. It seems that I could cover the cost of a DSL modem fairly quickly and save some money long term. I don't want to cause myself a bunch of headaches, however (especially if Frontier refuses to provide support).

Thanks for your input!

Dave

[rgG]

I have my original DSL modem from Earthlink. There really isn't much to "support" with a modem, it either works or it doesn't. I think you would be better off buying a modem just like the one they are going to upgrade you to. Get them to give you the exact model number and brand and then shop around to see what the best price is.

[Trouble]

davec wrote:
The rental will cost us $72 to $84 a year

Screw that. Buy a modem.

[lafinfil]

My provider had been Verizon and is now Frontier after the sell off. I had been using a five year old modem that Verizon had provided for free. While trying to track down some severe packet loss issues, Frontier insisted on replacing my modem, even though I insisted that the line was the problem (long history of issues with this line) As predicted it was a line problem and not a five year old modem (that I was not getting billed for) I have not received my bill since the fix a couple weeks ago, but if there is a modem rental charge on it they are getting it back fast.

As far as installing the modem, there was nothing to it with the old stand alone modems. Plug in the phone/DSL line and cat5's to router and computer. The modem combo they sent is a Westell 7500 is a combo modem/router that was not plug and play. Frontier tech had to walk me through a bunch of resets to get it to work. So far it is no better than my old set up, except now the line works. I'd polk around on craigslist & garage sales for one of the old Verizon non-combo modems. Swap and out and see if it works.

[marksomebodyelse]

I bought a speed stream modem off of Craigslist for less then $20. Att still supports me for connection problems just not if the modem dies.

[nwyaker]

Trouble wrote:
[quote=davec]
The rental will cost us $72 to $84 a year

Screw that. Buy a modem. Totally agree. I got a used Toshiba modem ( DocSis 2.0 ) off eBay for $15 that's been cranking along for three years with no problems.