Cox Upgrade, DOCSIS 3 Modem

[Sredfield]

Hope this isn't too far off the theme, but HAZ is an internet thing . . .

Cox sent a card suggested we buy their modem upgrade for $150. These DOC SIS 3 modems are available online for $60 +/-. Anyone have any experience with this upgrade? Advice?

thanks

[chumley]

@Sredfield
I upgraded to a docsis 3 modem/wifi router two or three years ago. The speed upgrade was noticeably significant. Possibly double. No other hardware changes or bandwidth increases, etc. Just the modem.

Is it worth $150 to you? Only you can decide. You can also get a compatible Docsis3 modem from another source for a lower price. (Quick search shows $50-$100 options). Just make sure that Cox will support that specific model before you buy.

Others with more technological knowledge can probably give you actual data to support this, but I can say that I definitely noticed a difference, and was personally happy to have made the upgrade.

[Sredfield]

thanks

[wallyfrack]

DOCSIS is an acronym for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification

DOCSIS 1.x systems have a usable 38 Mbps downstream and approximately 9 Mbps of upstream.
DOCSIS 2.0 systems have a usable 38 Mbps downstream, but increased the upstream to 27 Mbps.
DOCSIS 3.0 is able to support multiple channels and bind them together. More channels = more speed, and there is a 4-channel minimum requirement for DOCSIS 3.0 approved hardware. Each channel supports 38 Mbps downstream and 27 Mbps upstream, but there are no limits to how many channels can be used. This supports the 100 Mbps DOCSIS 3.x service available in some areas.

[hikeaz]

make sure that Cox will support that specific model before you buy

From the Cox website..... Scroll down to DOCSIS 3.0
http://www.cox.com/residential/support/ ... 0000000000

[winotron]

You will definitely notice the speed difference depending on which plan you have from Cox. If you have the 50Mb plan, you will for sure notice the difference as DOCSIS 2.0 can only reach maybe half that speed. If you have a lower plan than that, it may not be worth it to upgrade. I'm not sure what the speeds are for all their current plans, but if you have a plan that's 30Mb or less, I'd say it's not worth upgrading.

$150 sounds like way too much. Like others said, I would look around online and buy your own. Cox's compatiblity list isn't quite complete... those are just their "recommendations." I'm currently using a modem that isn't on their list without issues. But to be safe, you could get one on their list. These all look like good buys to me (all on Cox's list):

http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Model-DPC30 ... ikearizona

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-DOCSIS-3- ... ikearizona

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-DOCSIS-Cable ... ikearizona

[hikeaz]

You will definitely notice the speed difference depending on which plan you have from Cox. If you have the 50Mb plan, you will for sure notice the difference as DOCSIS 2.0 can only reach maybe half that speed. If you have a lower plan than that, it may not be worth it to upgrade. I'm not sure what the speeds are for all their current plans, but if you have a plan that's 30Mb or less, I'd say it's not worth upgrading.

$150 sounds like way too much. Like others said, I would look around online and buy your own. Cox's compatiblity list isn't quite complete... those are just their "recommendations." I'm currently using a modem that isn't on their list without issues. But to be safe, you could get one on their list.

As I am uninitiated on such things; is there any benefit on getting a modem/router combo such as > http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-DOCSIS-Ca ... ikearizona (assuming that one already has a (circa 2010) router? Is the newer 3.0 modem compatible with an older router or is the benefit of the faster modem lost when used in tandem with an older vintage router (used wirelessly)?

thanks!

[winotron]

@hikeaz
There isn't a great benefit to having a modem/router combo other than the convenience and less clutter. Any modem, regardless of the DOCSIS version, will be compatible with your router. I'm assuming your router is at least 100Mb (look up your model number to be sure), so unless you have Cox's "Ultimate" plan which I believe is up to 150Mb, it won't matter.

[chumley]

Depending on the devices you are using to connect to the wifi router there may not be any benefit. But if you have a newer computer, phone, or other internet connected device (tv/thermostat/smoke alarm/door locks, etc) then you may benefit from the higher speeds.

Wifi compatibility is measured in speeds and frequencies that are labeled a/b/g/n ... if your new phone is "n" compatible, but your router isn't then you may see performance increases if you upgrade to one that is.

I like combining the two because it's one less thing to configure and have plugged in. But that is personal preference.

edit: what winotron says is true except if you transfer data in your own house independent of your internet speed (from cox). An example would be wirelessly backing up your laptop to another hard drive, or streaming video stored on your computer and watching it on your TV. Then the higher speeds available from a newer router could improve performance.

[winotron]

@chumley
True, and I noticed that modem/router combo also has gigabit (1000Mb) ethernet speeds, so transferring between 2 hard-wired devices would benefit from that. Actually a pretty awesome price for a gigabit router/modem combo. If you mostly use wifi, it just depends on the devices and whether they are a/b/g/n like chumley said. The standard in 2010 was g, so that's probably what your current router is. G is rated up to 54Mb... so even if you upgrade to a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, with the 100Mb plan from Cox, you're only gonna get a maximum of 54Mb through wifi, and that's in very optimal conditions.

A lot of things to consider, sure... But if you're planning on spending $60+ on a DOCSIS 3.0 modem anyways, that unit you linked is a good buy and would simplify things a bit. And you'd be set for the future as well, with wireless n and gigabit speeds.

[Sredfield]

Thank you all. The Cox phone rep should sign in here and read up on this stuff.

[Grimey]

FYI I got that same notice from Cox a couple months ago. I went to a Cox store and they gave me a free one.