Can we use another Cox modem, so that we can stop renting theirs?
July 9, 2022 12:34 PM Subscribe
My mother's apartment building in California is such that only Cox offers voice/phone and internet service, and only in the form of a VoIP solution. We had to rent their modem, a Panoramic Wifi Gateway model CGM4140COM. I'd like to buy my own and stop paying a rental fee to Cox. Can it be done?
In the past I tried to find a replacement I could buy new, but no other DOCSYS 3.1 modem seems to have the voice component. In a flash of the blindingly obvious, today it occurred to me to look for a used CGM4140COM on eBay. Sure enough, there are plenty available. But will that work, or does Cox do something to lock modems to specific accounts (perhaps via the MAC address)?
I'm experienced with computers and networking and feel comfortable with the idea of duplicating her existing modem settings to another modem. What I don't know—but hope someone else here does—is whether it's only a matter of getting the right type of modem and configuring the settings, or whether it's hopeless because Cox does some shenanigans that I won't be able to work around.
In the past I tried to find a replacement I could buy new, but no other DOCSYS 3.1 modem seems to have the voice component. In a flash of the blindingly obvious, today it occurred to me to look for a used CGM4140COM on eBay. Sure enough, there are plenty available. But will that work, or does Cox do something to lock modems to specific accounts (perhaps via the MAC address)?
I'm experienced with computers and networking and feel comfortable with the idea of duplicating her existing modem settings to another modem. What I don't know—but hope someone else here does—is whether it's only a matter of getting the right type of modem and configuring the settings, or whether it's hopeless because Cox does some shenanigans that I won't be able to work around.
You'll want to check Cox's list of supported modems before making any decisions. I doubt that they would allow you to activate a Panoramic gateway you've bought from eBay. Chances are they are unreturned devices anyway.
posted by wierdo at 3:21 PM on July 9, 2022
posted by wierdo at 3:21 PM on July 9, 2022
I've bought used modems (not specifically from eBay, but used on Amazon) and used them with Cox. Am using one at this very moment, in fact.
The Cox person on the phone didn't even (audibly) blink; they just went through the setup procedure when I called and said I had a new modem, which basically involves giving them the modem's MAC address so they can "provision" it. (Basically flash it remotely with their settings, encryption keys, and possibly the entire firmware image, I'm not sure.)
They didn't seem to give a hoot about where the modem came from, as long as it was a compatible model that they could provision with their headend system.
If you're concerned and want to get a model that's specifically on the compatibility list, it appears that the CGM4141 is on the list. You might want to see if you can find out what's different between the CGM4140 that you have currently and the 4141 and if they're very similar, I might give it a try.
All that said... I was under the strong impression that if you were paying for phone service, the provider had to supply you with the equipment necessary to get a regular POTS signal without charging extra. Usually this is achieved by giving you a "free" modem if you pay for their integrated phone service. That's why you don't see nearly as many DOCSIS modems floating around that have phone capabilities—most people don't need them. The market is mostly there for people (like myself) who have data-only connections, for which the cableco is allowed to "offer" rental equipment at an additional charge.
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:19 PM on July 9, 2022
The Cox person on the phone didn't even (audibly) blink; they just went through the setup procedure when I called and said I had a new modem, which basically involves giving them the modem's MAC address so they can "provision" it. (Basically flash it remotely with their settings, encryption keys, and possibly the entire firmware image, I'm not sure.)
They didn't seem to give a hoot about where the modem came from, as long as it was a compatible model that they could provision with their headend system.
If you're concerned and want to get a model that's specifically on the compatibility list, it appears that the CGM4141 is on the list. You might want to see if you can find out what's different between the CGM4140 that you have currently and the 4141 and if they're very similar, I might give it a try.
All that said... I was under the strong impression that if you were paying for phone service, the provider had to supply you with the equipment necessary to get a regular POTS signal without charging extra. Usually this is achieved by giving you a "free" modem if you pay for their integrated phone service. That's why you don't see nearly as many DOCSIS modems floating around that have phone capabilities—most people don't need them. The market is mostly there for people (like myself) who have data-only connections, for which the cableco is allowed to "offer" rental equipment at an additional charge.
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:19 PM on July 9, 2022
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Personally I prefer to add the voice component separately, because this makes switching the VoIP adapter or the modem out when either one fails a lot easier. The Cisco/Linksys SPA2102 is a tidy little unit that works nicely. I've been running one of these for many years and the only thing that's ever gone wrong with it was the wall wart died. Replaced that (totally generic, 5V 1A with a barrel plug) and it's been fine ever since.
posted by flabdablet at 1:20 PM on July 9, 2022