Your own Cable modem
 

Is there any point in purchasing your own cable modem? Do your speeds increase etc...?

I've heard of people having issues with thier own modems due to their ISP not supporting it 100%. You COULD get one and save the $2/mo rental fee, but how long before it pays itself off?

Speeds are controled by any modem config file that the ISP sends to it, but it's not someting you can change (legally or easily).

The only advantage is that you may be able to find it cheaper online than the cable company will sell it to you. My modem, for example, was $45 from Adelphia. I'm certain I could have found it for half that on newegg or something, but I didn't want to have to deal with the compatability issues that could have occured. I paid the $45, knowing that if there was a compatability issue, it was their problem to fix, not mine.

Sure there is an advantage.. Two different cable ISP's I have been with since going with cable charged $10 a month rental fee for use of their modems. I paid less than $60 for mine, and it paid for itself in less than 6 months.

But, if your ISP only charges you $2 a month, it would be a matter of preference as to whether you wanted to use your own modem or not.

As for compatibility issues, they can easily be avoided by picking up the phone (or looking on their website) and asking your ISP for a list of compatible modems BEFORE buying one....It sure beats buying one and THEN finding out your ISP doesn't support that particular modem.

I have had my modem for a year and a half, and it runs fine, and I am saving $10 a month for every month it continues to work.