TWC Modem

[APoshiterYid]

Im sure many of you have gotten the notice that TWC will start charging a $3.95 "Internet Modem Lease Fee" 10/15. Anyone have any suggestions for a good cheap buy?

Thanks!

As per the notice, there is a list of approved modems at twc.com/approveddevices , but I don't know if we actually have to follow that.

[metsguy]

Bump

[ShmuliT]

Just got a notice in the mail. Any way to get the fee waived? Anyone threaten to cancel?

[ShmuliT]

Came across this:

Are You Upset About Time Warner’s New Modem Fee? We’d Like To Talk To You
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/03/are-you-upset-about-time-warners-new-modem-fee-wed-like-to-talk-to-you/

[APoshiterYid]

Anyone find 3.0s that are under $100?...

[mbelsky]

I wanted a SB6141 so I am future-proof, but the cheapest you can find them new or used is $110 on ebay for a new or $100 on amazon for a used. Apparently, even if you only have basic, you should see more reliable speeds with SB6141 then a docsis 2.0 modem.

I am thinking about buying a SB5101U (SB5101 without the U is older model) on Amazon for $25 used shipped. I'm debating. I would break even after 6 months.

What is everyone else doing?

If only staples or home depot carried the SB6141 we could use the 20% off/50 off 100 coupons!

If anyone finds a deal on the SB6141, please PM me and I will post here if I find a deal.

[ShmuliT]

I wanted a SB6141 so I am future-proof, but the cheapest you can find them new or used is $110 on ebay for a new or $100 on amazon for a used. Apparently, even if you only have basic, you should see more reliable speeds with SB6141 then a docsis 2.0 modem.

I am thinking about buying a SB5101U (SB5101 without the U is older model) on Amazon for $25 used shipped. I'm debating. I would break even after 6 months.

What is everyone else doing?

If only staples or home depot carried the SB6141 we could use the 20% off/50 off 100 coupons!

If anyone finds a deal on the SB6141, please PM me and I will post here if I find a deal.

Im also thinking of going with the SB5101U $24 shipped from ebay.
Thats the cheapest option i found.

Over here: http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/support/topic.ashx/Buy+or+Lease+Your+Modem they have a list of 5 "APPROVED MODEMS FOR RETAIL PURCHASE" and then a list of 40+ "APPROVED MODEMS LEASED FROM TWC". Anyone know why they only approve 5 devices if i want to bring my own? If i buy one from their long list of LEASED modems, will i be able to use it?

[mbelsky]

No you will not be allowed to actuvate one that you bought that is on their LEASED list. I dont know why, but you cant.

[mbelsky]

I bit the bullet and purchased a refurb SB5101U from ebay. for $24 shipped. The guy has more than 10 left.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorola-SB5101u-Surfboard-Modem-DOCSIS-2-0-Comcast-Cable-One-Cox-and-more-/300802383967?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460938205f

It says he is away until Nov. 13th, so hopefully a better deal will pop up for an SB6121 or SB6141 and I can cancel this order. Apparently you can activate the SB6121 even though it is not on TWC approved list. You just call to activate and give them the mac address and say its a SB6141. Since they run the same software, it is reported in a few places that it activates fine.

[popcorn1508]

did any one try a "nonapproved" modem

[AsherO]

Ugh, another ~$50/year. I hope Cablevision doesn't follow suit...

[mbelsky]

did any one try a "nonapproved" modem

A friend of mine bought one that is on the approved leased modem list and they shot him down....

So a REALLY unapproved modem has no chance, except for the SB6121 that you just say is an SB6141 when you call to activate. they are so similar that TWC cant tell the difference when activating.

[mbelsky]

I bit the bullet and purchased a refurb SB5101U from ebay. for $24 shipped. The guy has more than 10 left.

Apparently you can activate the SB6121 even though it is not on TWC approved list. You just call to activate and give them the mac address and say its a SB6141. Since they run the same software, it is reported in a few places that it activates fine.

I just activated my SB5101U with TWC in Queens, NY. It took about 8 minutes from dialing to having my wifi working! Called TW and said "activate a modem" then when it started i said "start over" and then i said "activate a modem" and i got an agent in 20 seconds. I think this may be cutting the line as it said when I called that then have higher than usual wait times. IDK. The agent was extremely helpful.He told me that all agents can now activate modems since so many people are calling to do it. Before only a specific team could. I asked if I could hold on to their modem in case mine breaks (i also dont want to drive to the mall to drop it off) and he said that was no problem. at this point they are not making people return them. if they decide to, i will get something in the mail. Dont forget to power cycle your router after the lights on your modem look solid.

So for $24 I got the same speed I had before and will break even in 6 months. If my modem craps out I will just activate TWs modem until my replacement shows up.

Anyone know if I can buy squaretrade on an ebay seller refurb?

[mbelsky]

The TWC approved device list has been expanded:
http://twc.com/approveddevices
Turbo, Extreme and Ultimate Service Plans
Vendor    Model
Motorola    SBG6580
Motorola    SB6121
Motorola    SB6141
Netgear    CMD31T
Zoom    5341J


Lite, Basic and Standard Service Plans
Vendor    Model
Motorola    SB5101
Motorola    SB5101U
Motorola    SBG901
Motorola    SBG6580
Motorola    SB6121
Motorola    SB6141
Netgear    CMD31T
Zoom    5341J

[APoshiterYid]

So for $24 I got the same speed I had before and will break even in 6 months. If my modem craps out I will just activate TWs modem until my replacement shows up.

The one you bought is Motorola SB5101u DOCSIS2.0 for $24.

There is a Motorola SBG901 DOCSIS3.0 for $42OBO.

Im tempted to go for that one, to better time-proof myself, only thing holding me back is that the SBG901 is in China.

Thoughts?

PS: There's also another guy selling the SB5101u for $28 but he is OBO and has sold over 1000 of them (different listing). Anyone interested in joining together? Maybe hell take $20 if we buy a few of them.... As I type this I realize I am talking about saving $4 so youll have to come pick it up from KGH

[mbelsky]

The one you bought is Motorola SB5101u DOCSIS2.0 for $24.

There is a Motorola SBG901 DOCSIS3.0 for $42OBO.

Im tempted to go for that one, to better time-proof myself, only thing holding me back is that the SBG901 is in China.

Thoughts?

It looks like the SBG901 is actually docsis 2.0, not 3.0, according to the ebay listing. I checked TWs leased page http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/support/topics/internet/lease-your-modem.html that shows which modems are docsis 2.0/3.0 and which are IPV6 compatible, and at this point most of the info was removed. I have a feeling someone is in the middle of updating it (hopefully).

I would rather spend $24 on a docsis 2.0 since I currently only have speeds that require docsis 2.0 and I would only spend more money on a modem that is both docsis 3.0 and IPV6 compatible and has good ratings. AFAIK, only the SB6141 fits the bill and the cheapest I can find it is $90. Until the prices of those (even used) goes down considerably, or until I switch to FIOS, I will use the one I got for $24 which works fine.

Also, I wouldnt use my WIfi through that device , Id use my own router, so you have to figure out how to disable the Wifi on your modem ,assuming the firmware that is ULed by TW doesnt prevent you from doing so. Then that requires another call to TW to get them to turn it off. Do they help you if its your modem. IDK, but I wouldnt be shocked if you hit a brick wall.

[APoshiterYid]

It looks like the SBG901 is actually docsis 2.0, not 3.0, according to the ebay listing. I checked TWs leased page http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/support/topics/internet/lease-your-modem.html that shows which modems are docsis 2.0/3.0 and which are IPV6 compatible, and at this point most of the info was removed. I have a feeling someone is in the middle of updating it (hopefully).

I would rather spend $24 on a docsis 2.0 since I currently only have speeds that require docsis 2.0 and I would only spend more money on a modem that is both docsis 3.0 and IPV6 compatible and has good ratings. AFAIK, only the SB6141 fits the bill and the cheapest I can find it is $90. Until the prices of those (even used) goes down considerably, or until I switch to FIOS, I will use the one I got for $24 which works fine.

Also, I wouldnt use my WIfi through that device , Id use my own router, so you have to figure out how to disable the Wifi on your modem ,assuming the firmware that is ULed by TW doesnt prevent you from doing so. Then that requires another call to TW to get them to turn it off. Do they help you if its your modem. IDK, but I wouldnt be shocked if you hit a brick wall.

I hear ya. Just bought the $24 from adam guy on ebay. Thanks!

[ShmuliT]

The one you bought is Motorola SB5101u DOCSIS2.0 for $24.

There now is also a seller selling the Motorola SB5101u for $21 on ebay.

Note: i found one for $16 without cables an took it! That means i break even in 4 months!

[churnbabychurn]

Ugh, another ~$50/year. I hope Cablevision doesn't follow suit...

They told me they are adding 5$ a month to the bill starting Feb , I posted the letter here:
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7266.msg397113#msg397113

[AsherO]

They told me they are adding 5$ a month to the bill starting Feb , I posted the letter here:
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7266.msg397113#msg397113

But this isn't for the modem...