My DOCSIS 3.0 modem has reached Comcast end-of-life, which new to buy?

[mtbdudex]

Well I learned something yesterday, my DOCSIS 3.0 modem, Arris Model SB6120, has reached Comcast "end-of-life", which new to buy?
Current one bought 3-4 years ago,
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-SB6120-SURFboard-eXtreme-Broadband/dp/B001UI2FPE

Ultra-fast Internet at your fingertips - NEW lightning fast technology lets you surf up to 4x faster than traditional cable modems. The Motorola SURFboard SB6120 extreme Cable Modem unleashes the next wave of broadband technology at exceptional speed. The SB6120 is up to 4 times faster than DOCSIS 2.0 broadband cable modems making it capable of reaching data rates up to 150 Mbps.

Comcast list their approved devices here:
http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net/

This site provides a list of all currently approved cable modems and EMTA devices. Use this site to ensure your device is compatible with the service level that you subscribe to.

Comcast strongly recommends customers only purchase devices that include a warranty and/or return policy. Cable modems and eMTAs operate with firmware/software and could make the device defective and inoperable if compromised in any way.

Here they make it "easy" to buy thru amazon.
Suggestions appreciated.
http://mynewmodem.comcast.net/


I have an Apple Airport Extreme Gen6, so not looking for a wifi one.....just your basic fast one.

 

[satcomer]

Well I learned something yesterday, my DOCSIS 3.0 modem, Arris Model SB6120, has reached Comcast "end-of-life", which new to buy?
Current one bought 3-4 years ago,
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-SB6120-SURFboard-eXtreme-Broadband/dp/B001UI2FPE

Comcast list their approved devices here:
http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net/


Here they make it "easy" to buy thru amazon.
Suggestions appreciated.
http://mynewmodem.comcast.net/


I have an Apple Airport Extreme Gen6, so not looking for a wifi one.....just your basic fast one.

The modem you choose should include a 1000base-t (gigabit port) that connects to the LAN (local area network)!

 

[mtbdudex]

The modem you choose should include a 1000base-t (gigabit port) that connects to the LAN (local area network)!

Yep, my old one did, specs of it

• Features a 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Port for incredible wired network speeds

and surely the new one I buy will also
So, any suggestions from the list?
Which do you use?

 

[satcomer]

Yep, my old one did, specs of it


and surely the new one I buy will also
So, any suggestions from the list?
Which do you use?

I would go with the Motorola modem since it is the newest in the list.

 

[chrfr]

Well I learned something yesterday, my DOCSIS 3.0 modem, Arris Model SB6120, has reached Comcast "end-of-life", which new to buy?

Keep in mind that if you are getting your full internet speed, you really don't need to replace your modem. Comcast isn't going to shut off the SB6120 from work at all at this point. DOCSIS 3.1 will be released throughout Comcast's network by 2018 so all these 3.0 modems will be obsolete then.

 

[mtbdudex]

^^^well that's good to know, so makes me wonder why they were so adamant over the phone I needed to get a new one ... After 2 calls and 35 minutes they did stuff on their end to make it work again. I'll check my
Actual upload download speed to what I'm paying for.

 

[Weaselboy]

^^^well that's good to know, so makes me wonder why they were so adamant over the phone I needed to get a new one ... After 2 calls and 35 minutes they did stuff on their end to make it work again. I'll check my
Actual upload download speed to what I'm paying for.

What speed tier are you paying for now?

Here is what is likely going on. Your cable modem "bonds" channels for both upload and download. The 6121 you have can only bond four download channels, so will not support the higher speed tiers. If you go to that Comcast page you linked and move the speed tier slider down, you will see modems on the list disappear (not supported). When you go from Extreme 105 to Blast!, the 6121 drops off the list because it does not support enough channels for that speed tier.

If you run the slider all the way down, you can see which modems support the highest speed tiers and are available for retail purchase. I went through this same thing recently with Time Warner and ended up getting the SB6183. There is a newer SB6190 out, but the firmware seems immature and it costs more, for no real practical benefit at this point IMO.

The other issue is, even if you are on a lower speed tier, having a cable modem that can bond more channels is a good thing as you have access to more channels during times the pipes are getting saturated upstream. I know on Time Warner now, even the lower tiers use eight channel download bonding.

 

[BrianBaughn]

My modem is also EOL at Comcast but I just checked with them via chat whether or not my "Blast" speed is OK. It is.

The modem was on the approved list until recently.

 

[mtbdudex]

What speed tier are you paying for now?

Here is what is likely going on. Your cable modem "bonds" channels for both upload and download. The 6121 you have can only bond four download channels, so will not support the higher speed tiers. If you go to that Comcast page you linked and move the speed tier slider down, you will see modems on the list disappear (not supported). When you go from Extreme 105 to Blast!, the 6121 drops off the list because it does not support enough channels for that speed tier.

If you run the slider all the way down, you can see which modems support the highest speed tiers and are available for retail purchase. I went through this same thing recently with Time Warner and ended up getting the SB6183. There is a newer SB6190 out, but the firmware seems immature and it costs more, for no real practical benefit at this point IMO.

The other issue is, even if you are on a lower speed tier, having a cable modem that can bond more channels is a good thing as you have access to more channels during times the pipes are getting saturated upstream. I know on Time Warner now, even the lower tiers use eight channel download bonding.

View attachment 616960

Hey thanks, I'm at Blast service, so possible I'm not getting the speed I should, 25 Mbps.
It does drop off when using their slider view like you mentioned....

other packages - https://www.xfinity.com/upgrade-center/offers#upgrade-internet

Ok - I just ran this test, twice, and it shows me way fast! So, my old cable modem is "ok", but it's 2am so this is the best possible time for performance, when everyone in my neighborhood sleeping (besides me )
http://www.speedtest.net/

>>If I'm getting nearly 90 Mbps, why'd it drop off in their slider view???

I'll try it at prime time 8pm, but for now looks like I'm getting what I pay for.
So, full circle:
(correct me here if I'm wrong on the below)
1) My DOCSIS 3.0 modem is working now, after 2 service calls to Comcast
>>also after I did my own reset via un-plug the power and even the Comcast iPhone app reset did not work
2) it has 4 x 4 channels (4 downstream and 4 upstream) - this is the SB6120
3) at 2am I get nearly 90 Mbps, which per the specs is not un-expected, "The SB6120 is up to 4 times faster than DOCSIS 2.0 broadband cable modems making it capable of reaching data rates up to 150 Mbps"
4) COMCAST will NOT be upgrading their network rendering my DOCSIS 3.0 modem not usable, however it may limit my future speeds, someday ....

[edit] my 6am speed, still FAST!!

 

[Weaselboy]

(correct me here if I'm wrong on the below)

You are not wrong, but you did not touch on one possible advantage of a newer cable modem even with your current speed tier. Like I mentioned, the newer models can bond more download channels, so even at the same speed tier a new modem would bond eight or even 16 download channels and likely give you more consistent downloads speeds during busy periods.

 

[mtbdudex]

I'll post some speed tests tonight here, again I'm amazed at these speeds... nearly 90 MB/s!

7pm EST

9:20pm EST

8:40pm on a Friday night

8am Saturday morning

 

[satcomer]

I'll post some speed tests tonight here, again I'm amazed at these speeds... nearly 90 MB/s!

7pm EST

9:20pm EST

The drop is because the way ISPs use cable to deliver data. You probably share data with several neighbors that stream video at night or stream music, etc. The slight drop is expected during the night peek hours and in your case it's looks like your better off then most!

 

[glenthompson]

I have a couple of Arris SB6141 modems. Service is 100mbps at one location (Cox) and 10mbps at the other (local cable co). Both modems deliver the rated speed.

 

[maflynn]

Personally, I'd not get any comcast cable modems. I still don't understand what you mean by EOL? I have an old zoom cable modem that is probably in excess of 5 years (docsis 3) and it still works fine.

I choose to buy my own, first I don't need comcast charging me more, secondly I don't want them setting up an xfinity wifi hotspot on my account, i.e., using the cable modems with wifi built in, automatically creates a xfnity wifi hotspot

 

[BrianBaughn]

Personally, I'd not get any comcast cable modems. I still don't understand what you mean by EOL? I have an old zoom cable modem that is probably in excess of 5 years (docsis 3) and it still works fine.

I choose to buy my own, first I don't need comcast charging me more, secondly I don't want them setting up an xfinity wifi hotspot on my account, i.e., using the cable modems with wifi built in, automatically creates a xfnity wifi hotspot

EOL is Comcast's designation. See http://mynewmodem.comcast.net/ and check the box for Filter: End-Of-Life Devices.

 

[maflynn]

EOL is Comcast's designation. See http://mynewmodem.comcast.net/ and check the box for Filter: End-Of-Life Devices.

I know its their designation but does that mean in reality that the modem stops working or won't work on comcast?

 

[BrianBaughn]

I know its their designation but does that mean in reality that the modem stops working or won't work on comcast?

Hard to say since the link on that page to the "EOL FAQ" is dead.

 

[maflynn]

Hard to say since the link on that page to the "EOL FAQ" is dead.

That's my point exactly. If its working as I surmise it will, don't bother, especially if they're pushing you toward one of their cable modems.

 

[chrfr]

I know its their designation but does that mean in reality that the modem stops working or won't work on comcast?

It means that if you call Comcast for support they will tell you that you need a new modem. As long as the existing modem continues to work and gets you the speed you're paying for, then don't upgrade it until you have to.
[doublepost=1455890676][/doublepost]

That's my point exactly. If its working as I surmise it will, don't bother, especially if they're pushing you toward one of their cable modems.

That list of modems are just links to Amazon; Comcast isn't selling those to you. (It wouldn't surprise me if Comcast gets some affiliate income, however.)

 

[jterp7]

yeah i upgraded sometime last year to the 6183 which has been pretty good so far from the 6121, which on paper ups the ceiling from 172 to 686. I think the last time I ran a test, i was getting 150.

I basically got spammed phone calls and emails from comcast about needing to upgrade the modem for several months beforehand.

 

[mtbdudex]

Well my SB6120 cable modem is acting flaky, I've reset it countless times and called comcast, etc.
So after much waste of time I'm buying a new one.
Went future proofing as much as I could, ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem.
"

• Internet speeds up to 1.4 Gbps DOWNLOAD and 262 Mbps UPLOAD based on your Cable ISP subscription.
• 32 DOWNLOAD & 8 UPLOAD channels to future proof your modem as your Cable ISP enhances service offerings

"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016PE1X5K

 

[mtbdudex]

No internet for 4 days at home, my family not happy.
The new SB6190 came in, since I was in Mexico for 5 days my wife installed it earlier today, Ijust came home and here is 1st speed test.

btw, based on advice she called customer service for the install.

I'm still at Blast service, so this while faster than what I'm rated/paying for (25 MB/s), it's no faster than my now bad SB6120.
fwiw: I'm at the end of a private road, we have 16 homes that could run off this Comcast branch from main road, I'm not sure if some get the internet via other means.

Friday Feb-26 9:20pm EST

Saturday Feb-27 5am EST

Saturday Feb-27 9pm EST

Thursday Mar-3-2016

 

[cube]

deleted

 

[Jozone]

I was in the exact same boat as you (SB6120), and opted for a SB6183 -- must say I miss the aesthetics of the SB6120.