Xfinity Gateway Modem Model Tg1682g Firmware Update
Not too long ago, I highlighted 3 ways to
go rid of your Comcast modem rental fee
later on
Comcast Xfinity
killed my old Netgear gateway (modem + router).
Comcast recently raised their modem rental fee
for the xFi gateway to a ridiculous $14 per month (or $168 per twelvemonth) in January, 2020. And every bit of mid-2020, they have raised the price for their “xFi Complete” service to a ridiculous $25 per calendar month (or $300/yr). You lot don’t demand either. Replacing an Xfinity modem with your own is an excellent fashion to
cut your full Xfinity bill. I’ve saved thousands in doing and then over the years, and I’ll item how in this article, with a listing of the all-time modems and routers to supersede Xfinity xFi with below. It’s easy – y’all tin can do it!
I had successfully tried the
Comcast negotiation
route before – but it’s easy to forget to call in to negotiate every 6 months or so. And, when you lot get a discount on your modem rental, it leaves you with little leverage to negotiate bigger discounts on the cost of the internet service. Besides. I hated seeing a device with a footling “Xfinity” logo on it sitting side by side to my reckoner. And, Xfinity is even using leased modems as WiFi hotspots (but you lot can opt out).
So, I decided to replace the Comcast-owned gateway, with my ain, at a current cost savings of $168 per year. Don’t let Comcast fool you –
anyone
can do this on their own. Now, I am no longer paying the ridiculous $fourteen per month rental fee for a Comcast modem – and I want to share how you can do the same.
Update:
I’ve besides written more broadly on
how to get rid of your Internet access provider modem rental fee
(if you’re not a Comcast customer).
Here is How to Supplant a Comcast Modem with your Own, in iv Easy Steps:
I will specifically detail how I replaced a Comcast modem with my own, but this should be applicable to other ISPs every bit well.
1. Purchase an Xfinity Compatible Modem & Router or a Gateway to Supersede your Comcast Modem
Y’all
do non demand
to buy a 2-in-1 gateway device (modem + router in 1 device), such equally the one Comcast normally supplies and brands every bit “xFi”. You can get with a cable modem and pair it with a wireless router. It will work the same, simply ownership separately allows y’all to replace 1 half of the philharmonic if you want to upgrade more cheaply in the futurity, versus the entire (more than expensive) device. Non to mention, this setup is oftentimes more than reliable, based on reviews of gateways.
There is a list of
Xfinity supported cable modems
that are compatible and supported with their network (and many modems are uniform fifty-fifty if not supported). Comcast recently upgraded their network to
DOCSIS 3.1, simply it is backwards compatible to previous generation DOCSIS model modems (e.chiliad. DOCSIS three.0).
The customer support tech I had spoke to previously had recommended a at present obsolete Motorola gateway. After doing some inquiry, however, I had noticed that this device had horrible reviews due to a number of problems working with Comcast’s network through firmware updates (or, lack of).
Instead, I opted to go for an
Arris Surfboard SB6190 modem
and paired it with a
TP-Link AC1750 router. Both were top sellers in the cable modem and router categories on Amazon and had outstanding reviews. I paid a total of $140, which ways the devices would be completely paid for in fees saved in less than a year (versus the $168 to rent the Comcast Xfinity xFi modem)! So, it’southward free and clear until the devices die many years later!
Those were my picks then, but new and improved modems and routers come out all of the fourth dimension. I’d probably cull
Motorola MB8611 modem
and
TP-Link AX1800 router
if I were ownership today, but whatever of the following modem + router combos volition be more than sufficient for 99.9% of users. Remember, a modem + a router = a gateway. You need to buy both a modem and router, or alternatively a combo gateway, which has the functionality of both. I combed through
every
Xfinity-uniform modem available, so you lot don’t have to. Just select from whatsoever of the following modem and router combinations below (all are Xfinity-supported and compatible and will piece of work with virtually other ISPs likewise):
All-time Modems (Pair with a Router Below):
These modems have the latest/greatest technology and will be able to meet height Internet access provider speeds for a long time. All are height sellers on Amazon with 4+ star customer ratings, offer the latest DOCSIS three.1 technology, over 1 Gbps (=1,000 Mbps) speed capabilities, and have been chosen for great value for their cost. If you lot’re paying for acme speeds with Xfinity, get with ane of these.
- Motorola MB8611: up to two.33 Gbps (DOCSIS iii.i)
- Netgear CM2000: upwards to ii.33 Gbps (DOCSIS 3.1)
- Arris S33: up to 2.33 Gbps (DOCSIS three.1)
Adept Modems (Pair a with a Router Below):
These modems are all good too, use DOCSIS three.0 technology, accept high (close to 1 Gbps) but slightly lower top speed capabilities, in exchange for lower prices. These are besides all height sellers on Amazon with iv+ star customer ratings.
- Arris SB8200: upward to 957 Mbps (DOCSIS 3.1)
- Netgear CM700: up to 935 Mbps (DOCSIS 3.0)
- Arris Surfboard SB6190: up to 859 Mbps (DOCSIS three.0)
Modems with Xfinity Phonation Capability (Pair with a Router Below):
In my view, Xfinity Voice is overpriced, with much cheaper VOIP landline options out there that you can connect to any router (see
Ooma). Simply, if y’all are sure you want it, the following modems are Xfinity Voice compatible:
- Netgear CM2050v: upward to two.33 Gbps (DOCSIS iii.1)
- Arris T25: up to 949 Mbps (DOCSIS 3.ane)
Routers (Pair with a Modem Above):
The following routers all handle 1 Gbps+ speeds, offer great value, and are highly rated Amazon best sellers with iv+ star customer ratings and pair nicely with the modems above. The outset iii offer newer WiFi 6 technology.
- TP-Link AX3000 – WiFi half-dozen: upwardly to 3 Gbps (2.402 Gbps on 5GHz band + 575 Mbps on the 2.four GHz band)
- TP-Link AX1800 – WiFi vi: up to ane.8 Gbps (1.2 Gbps on 5 GHz band + 574 Mbps on ii.four GHz band)
- Netgear Nighthawk AX1800 – WiFi 6: up to 1.8 Gbps (ane.2 Gbps on 5 GHz band + 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz band)
- TP-Link AC1750 – WiFi five: upward to 1.75 Gbps (i.2 Gbps on 5GHz band + 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz ring)
Gateway Modems (with Router Born, Don’t Pair with Dissever Router):
You don’t
demand
a modem and router in a philharmonic unit (aka “gateway”), as they work the same as whatever modem and router combo. They are a bit on the more expensive side and if y’all desire to upgrade either modem or router functionality, you need to buy an entirely new device (vs the one-half you want to upgrade). Just, if yous want a combined unit, check out the post-obit devices:
- Arris G36: up to 2.33 Gbps, WiFi half-dozen
- Netgear CAX30: upwards to 949 Mbps, WiFi 6
2. Call Comcast to Actuate your Modem (Or, Use the Activation App)
After you go your new modem and router philharmonic, you tin can
actuate your modem using the Xfinity app
or y’all tin can phone call
Comcast customer service
to actuate. Select “technical back up” when you call in. When you are continued to a tech, tell them you bought your ain new modem to replace your Comcast modem.
They will start by asking yous for the MAC address and Serial Number listed on your new device so that they can ship a signal to your device. I’ve had my share ofbad Comcast customer service experiences, but this i was surprisingly positive and simple. The tech walked me through getting my internet upwardly and running with my new modem. Inside 5 minutes, I was connected at the full internet speeds I was paying for – the aforementioned speeds I had from the Comcast gateway.
The Comcast tech besides removed the modem fee lawmaking in my billing profile (I didn’t have to ask for this, merely you may take to). Finally, he gave me the accost of a service center to return my Comcast modem. You can verify
on your Xfinity device profile hither, if y’all’d like, besides as on a futurity
Comcast billing statement.
3. Connect your Mobile Devices to your Router WiFi
Once yous have your modem and router running, y’all should secure your WiFi network and connect your devices.
Yous can easily set your network name and your countersign on your router. You’ll then need to go back to each device (laptop, cell phones, tablet, etc.) to cull the new network and enter the password.
Each router will have slightly different instructions on how to do this, but all yous need to know is that it’s a adequately uncomplicated and straightforward process. Total time invested was about 15 minutes.
For readers who are concerned about losing Comcast Phonation capabilities I highly recommend purchasing an
Ooma
device. I’ve been using an Ooma for over a decade with Comcast and information technology works simply as well. It merely costs a few bucks per twelvemonth in taxes, and so you save significantly over Comcast Voice and allow yourself more negotiation power in the future. You just plug the Ooma device in to the dorsum of your router, plug your phone into the Ooma, and you lot’re all set.
iv. Return your Old Comcast Modem!
Don’t forget to return your old Comcast-supplied modem or gateway. The tech told me I had 45 days to due this earlier Comcast listed the device every bit missing and charged me for it. You volition not be charged for the device in the concurrently, you just demand to make sure to return it inside the 45 days.
You tin can
get-go your Xfinity device return online. And hither is a list of
Comcast Xfinity service centers
to return your device. They are more often than not open Monday – Saturday during normal business hours.
Make sure to go a receipt for your device render! I accept heard of a few examples where the returnee did not do so and ran into later bug. Any fourth dimension yous can go on a newspaper trail with Comcast, it’south usually a good affair, so you don’t get stuck with
unwarranted fees
afterward (even when you lot own your own modem).
Update:
I’ve also written about how y’all tin
get rid of your Xfinity DVR & Idiot box Box fee
through owning your own streaming device like a Roku or Smart TV, saving $8.50 per calendar month ($102/year) for the showtime device, and $7.l/month ($90/twelvemonth) for each additional device.
Replacing your Comcast Modem Fee Discussion:
- Have you replaced your Comcast modem with your own?
- What gateway or modem/router combo exercise you personally recommend?
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