{"id":610734,"date":"2023-02-22T07:51:07","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T13:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.sellorbuyhomefast.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/22\/should-you-buy-or-rent-your-internet-modem-ask-yourself-these-5-questions\/"},"modified":"2023-02-22T07:51:07","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T13:51:07","slug":"should-you-buy-or-rent-your-internet-modem-ask-yourself-these-5-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/22\/should-you-buy-or-rent-your-internet-modem-ask-yourself-these-5-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Should you buy or rent your internet modem? Ask yourself these 5 questions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<svg viewBox=\"0 0 0 0\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" focusable=\"false\" role=\"none\" style=\"visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;\"><defs><filter id=\"wp-duotone-dark-grayscale\"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters=\"sRGB\" type=\"matrix\" values=\" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 \" \/><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters=\"sRGB\"><feFuncR type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0 0.49803921568627\" \/><feFuncG type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0 0.49803921568627\" \/><feFuncB type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0 0.49803921568627\" \/><feFuncA type=\"table\" tableValues=\"1 1\" \/><\/feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2=\"SourceGraphic\" operator=\"in\" \/><\/filter><\/defs><\/svg><svg viewBox=\"0 0 0 0\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" focusable=\"false\" role=\"none\" style=\"visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;\"><defs><filter id=\"wp-duotone-grayscale\"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters=\"sRGB\" type=\"matrix\" values=\" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 \" \/><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters=\"sRGB\"><feFuncR type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0 1\" \/><feFuncG type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0 1\" \/><feFuncB type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0 1\" \/><feFuncA type=\"table\" tableValues=\"1 1\" \/><\/feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2=\"SourceGraphic\" operator=\"in\" \/><\/filter><\/defs><\/svg><svg viewBox=\"0 0 0 0\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" focusable=\"false\" role=\"none\" style=\"visibility: hidden; 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position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;\"><defs><filter id=\"wp-duotone-purple-green\"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters=\"sRGB\" type=\"matrix\" values=\" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 \" \/><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters=\"sRGB\"><feFuncR type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0.65098039215686 0.40392156862745\" \/><feFuncG type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0 1\" \/><feFuncB type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0.44705882352941 0.4\" \/><feFuncA type=\"table\" tableValues=\"1 1\" \/><\/feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2=\"SourceGraphic\" operator=\"in\" \/><\/filter><\/defs><\/svg><svg viewBox=\"0 0 0 0\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" focusable=\"false\" role=\"none\" style=\"visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;\"><defs><filter id=\"wp-duotone-blue-orange\"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters=\"sRGB\" type=\"matrix\" values=\" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 \" \/><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters=\"sRGB\"><feFuncR type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0.098039215686275 1\" \/><feFuncG type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0 0.66274509803922\" \/><feFuncB type=\"table\" tableValues=\"0.84705882352941 0.41960784313725\" \/><feFuncA type=\"table\" tableValues=\"1 1\" \/><\/feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2=\"SourceGraphic\" operator=\"in\" \/><\/filter><\/defs><\/svg><\/p>\n<div id=\"page\">\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/#primary\">Skip to content<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t<main id=\"primary\"><\/p>\n<article id=\"post-1515484\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/stephen-phillips-hostreviews-co-uk-LR_wX_klOPM-unsplash_cr.jpg?quality=50&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1024\" alt=\"Close up of DSL gateway\" data-hero  ><\/p>\n<p><span>Image: Stephen Phillips \/ Hostreviews.co.uk \/ Unsplash<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"link_wrapped_content\">\n<body><\/p>\n<p>Tech journalists (including me) often recommend buying a modem for internet service rather than renting one from your provider. It\u2019s quick advice that readers will remember and, in most cases, it works out. Take PCWorld\u2019s own local pricing as an example\u2014for the most basic plan, renting a combo modem-router gateway from Comcast is $15 per month or $180 per year. If you buy a compatible modem and basic router for $100 total, you\u2019ll save money.<\/p>\n<p>But sometimes renting can still work out in your favor. Case in point: Right now in San Francisco, Comcast is offering free gateway rentals on select plans for the first two years. If you plan to move, hop to another service provider for a better price, or otherwise need flexibility, choosing to rent can save you cash and headache.<\/p>\n<p>So how do you pick your best path forward? Here\u2019s the ultra quick guide:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>Buy<\/em><\/strong> if you:\n<ul>\n<li>Can\u2019t change providers and will remain on plans compatible with the modem\u2019s speed limitations<\/li>\n<li>Will only change providers that have overlap in compatible equipment; also, you will remain on plans compatible with the modem\u2019s speed limitations\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Will stay on a plan long enough to at least break even relative to renting a modem and don\u2019t mind if you don\u2019t extract additional value beyond that<\/li>\n<li>Hate giving your internet service provider any extra reason to make a mistake on your monthly bill<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Rent<\/em><\/strong> if you:\n<ul>\n<li>Will change internet providers before breaking even on a modem purchase<\/li>\n<li>Will get the rental fee waived and will change providers (or buy your own modem) before the promotional period ends<\/li>\n<li>Hate dealing with technical issues all on your own<\/li>\n<li>Need access to perks (like no data caps) tied to use of the internet provider\u2019s gear<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t have many connected devices (some providers cap the number of active devices on lower-priced plans <em><cough>Comcast<\/cough><\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>Learn that your internet service provider requires it (sorry, that sucks)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Of course, these scenarios don\u2019t address the nuances of your specific preferences and situation. For maximum optimization, you\u2019ll have to ask yourself the five following questions and crunch some numbers.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whats-the-price-of-the-rental\">What\u2019s the price of the rental?<\/h2>\n<p>Obviously, renting a modem for no cost has a different impact than if it\u2019s $6, $10, or $15 per month. The monthly price affects how long it takes to break even on a modem purchase and if that time period makes sense for your situation.<\/p>\n<p>People who already own modems can generally ignore this question, except when the rental price is free. Say you have an older DOCSIS 3.0 modem (or gateway), but Comcast is offering free use of a DOCSIS 3.1 gateway. Comcast\u2019s gear will be compatible with gigabit plans, but your device won\u2019t. For such high-speed plans, the easy path is to use that gateway for the year or two (or however long that its rental price is free.) Also, the ISP\u2019s device may offer faster Wi-Fi speeds than your existing router or gateway, depending on its age.<\/p>\n<p>But if you\u2019re signing up for a plan under 400 Mbps for download speeds and it were to cost even a penny-per-month to rent Comcast\u2019s gateway? Your purchased DOCSIS 3.0 modem is going to be cheaper.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-features-are-offered-by-your-rental-options\">What features are offered by your rental option(s)?<\/h2>\n<p>Usually, renting a modem means you get a device that meets the most current specs. Often your provider will periodically upgrade the modem with a newer version, too.<\/p>\n<p>But the latest bells and whistles don\u2019t matter much if you\u2019re stuck with nothing but 50 Mbps download speeds at your location. Unless the rental comes out cheaper than buying, you can buy the cheapest compatible modem and call it a day, <em>especially<\/em> if you already own a router. You\u2019ll have to be your own tech support, however.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-gear-do-you-already-own\">What gear do you already own?<\/h2>\n<p>Speaking of your getting your own equipment\u2014more\u2019s at play than just the modem itself. As a recap, you need a modem to translate the signal coming into your home so that your local equipment (PC, phone, etc) can use it. Meanwhile, a router makes it possible to share that connection among many devices simultaneously. And a gateway combines both the functions of a modem and a router into one piece of equipment.<\/p>\n<p>You could end up needing to buy just a modem, just a router, or nothing at all. It depends on the plan you pick, the number of devices you want to put on your network, and what your situation could be like later on.<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/b2c-contenthub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/VT_alle-Router_Aufmacher.jpg?quality=50&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1200\" alt=\"Router Wi-Fi 6 Vergleichstest Aufmacher\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><figcaption>Even if you end up renting a modem or gateway, you could still need your own router.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Thomas Rau<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Say you have no networking gear of your own. Your contract length will determine the value of buying vs. renting. However, if you do rent, a gateway\u2019s limitations could still require a router purchase. Some Internet providers (ahem, Comcast) restrict lower-speed plans to a handful of active devices. You\u2019ll need your own equipment to bypass that policy.<\/p>\n<p>And, if you do have an existing modem or router (or both), a rental could make sense if your stuff isn\u2019t compatible with the network or won\u2019t make the most of the speeds you\u2019re paying for.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whats-in-your-future\">What\u2019s in your future?<\/h2>\n<p>Knowing your lifestyle can help you cut down on wasted expenses and aggravation. For example: Do you move frequently between locations with several available internet providers? Buying a modem (or gateway) could be too much of a commitment\u2014you won\u2019t know for sure which ISP you\u2019ll end up with next. Or the new location could support much faster download speeds, making a previously smart, frugal purchase semi-obsolete.<\/p>\n<p>On the flip side, you could be a person who lives permanently at one residence with just a single available internet provider. Renting a modem could end up far more expensive when sticking with the same provider for the long haul.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re somewhere in between\u2014you don\u2019t move often, but you can switch providers easily\u2014then you\u2019ll have to weigh other factors, like existing equipment that you already own, how likely you are to hop to a new ISP or haggle over renewal pricing, and more.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whats-your-internet-providers-reputation\">What\u2019s your internet provider\u2019s reputation?<\/h2>\n<p>With some internet providers, it could be safer to forgo a rental. Billing errors are an extremely real phenomenon with ISPs and wasting minutes of your life arguing with customer service can be taxing. Even if you don\u2019t mind arguing with customer service, there could be other irritations like Comcast\u2019s above-mentioned limits on active devices.<\/p>\n<p>So, even if the math works out a little more in favor of a rental, buying could be the less costly choice. Time is its own form of currency. Your mental and emotional health are important, too.<\/p>\n<p><\/body><\/div>\n<div data-ga=\"article-footer-author\">\n<h3>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/author\/ayee\" rel=\"author\"><br \/>\n\t\tAuthor: Alaina Yee<\/a>, Senior Editor\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ay_idg_byline2-100779100-orig-29.png?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\" height=\"125\" width=\"125\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>Alaina Yee is PCWorld&#8217;s resident bargain hunter\u2014when she&#8217;s not covering PC building, computer components, mini-PCs, and more, she&#8217;s scouring for the best tech deals. Previously her work has appeared in PC Gamer, IGN, Maximum PC, and Official Xbox Magazine. You can find her on Twitter at <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/morphingball\">@morphingball<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/morphingball\" title=\"Twitter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M459.37 151.716c.325 4.548.325 9.097.325 13.645 0 138.72-105.583 298.558-298.558 298.558-59.452 0-114.68-17.219-161.137-47.106 8.447.974 16.568 1.299 25.34 1.299 49.055 0 94.213-16.568 130.274-44.832-46.132-.975-84.792-31.188-98.112-72.772 6.498.974 12.995 1.624 19.818 1.624 9.421 0 18.843-1.3 27.614-3.573-48.081-9.747-84.143-51.98-84.143-102.985v-1.299c13.969 7.797 30.214 12.67 47.431 13.319-28.264-18.843-46.781-51.005-46.781-87.391 0-19.492 5.197-37.36 14.294-52.954 51.655 63.675 129.3 105.258 216.365 109.807-1.624-7.797-2.599-15.918-2.599-24.04 0-57.828 46.782-104.934 104.934-104.934 30.213 0 57.502 12.67 76.67 33.137 23.715-4.548 46.456-13.32 66.599-25.34-7.798 24.366-24.366 44.833-46.132 57.827 21.117-2.273 41.584-8.122 60.426-16.243-14.292 20.791-32.161 39.308-52.628 54.253z\" \/><\/svg><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t<\/main><\/p>\n<p><main id=\"primary\"><\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/article\/1515484\/should-you-buy-or-rent-your-internet-modem-ask-yourself-these-5-questions-to-decide.html\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><br \/>\n Sharie Latson<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Skip to content Image: Stephen Phillips \/ Hostreviews.co.uk \/ Unsplash Tech journalists (including me) often recommend buying a modem for internet service rather than renting one from your provider. It\u2019s quick advice that readers will remember and, in most cases, it works out. Take PCWorld\u2019s own local pricing as an example\u2014for the most basic plan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":610735,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2448,1140,46],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-610734","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-internet","8":"category-should","9":"category-technology"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/610734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=610734"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/610734\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/610735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=610734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=610734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=610734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}