3 – Depending on which Comcast/Xfinity services you subscribe to and the download speed that comes with it, you might need a special modem or gateway (If you use their home phone service, for example).
I don’t know about all cable companies but Comcast (AKA Xfinity) now charges $14 a month to rent a cable modem. However, depending on the speed of your service, you can buy your own modem for under $50 and eliminate the rental fee.
First, let’s discuss the pros of buying a cable modem instead of renting: 1 – Buying your own modem will save you money in the long run provided that it lasts longer than the time it would take for the rental savings to pay for the purchase of the modem.
In fact, recent studies show that most cable internet subscribers rent their routers rather than buying them outright. Even the wireless gateway for Comcast Xfinity seems like the easy way out, giving you a product that comes directly from your ISP so should work optimally to give you the internet speeds that you desire.
How much can you save by buying instead of renting Xfinity?
If you can find equipment that’s cheaper but good quality, you may save even more money by going this route. In the examples above, you could save as much as $118 in the first year by buying instead of renting through Xfinity. Your investment would essentially pay for itself after month four.
How much does it cost to rent a modem in 2022?
The costs of renting a modem in 2022 can be staggering. If you rent from Comcast Xfinity, the $14 per month charge will cost you $168 per year! Some internet providers would like you to believe that you need to rent a modem or a gateway (modem and router combination) from them each month in order to receive quality service.
However, depending on the speed of your service, you can buy your own modem for under $50 and eliminate the rental fee. Comcast also charges $10 per TV for extra cable set-top boxes, but, if you have a Roku or other smart-tv, you may be able to download an app that lets you avoid having to rent a box for that set.