Top Reasons To Avoid using Comcast and AT&T Internet Supplied Wifi Routers

Here are the top reasons you should ditch your Comcast Cable modem or bypass your AT&T U-Verse Wifi equipment.  We always recommend you avoid using vendor supplied Wifi and Routers/Firewalls.  Use a reputable third party router for best performance, security, and insight into your network.

To Bridge or Not To Bridge

Please note that I said “bypass” because in many cases you still have to leave the vendor’s equipment in place and just bypass (or bridge) your Internet connection (as with AT&T.)  This would be especially the case if you have telephone lines connected to your equipment.

Bypassing is only required if you intend to host a device (e.g. Surveillance Camera DVR) with a private (LAN) IP on the Internet using Port Forwarding.  Port forwarding is what allows you to access servers and view your cameras from the (WAN) Internet side.

When you use port forwarding you will either need to have static IPs from your ISP, or you can use DDNS (Dynamic DNS) for free.  Generally your ISP’s equipment will not support DDNS, so there is another reason to get a good third party router.

Static IPs
Many people pay extra fees to AT&T and Comcast for static IPs when in fact they are not really needed.  (in some cases with business class Internet the static IPs come bundled with your plan, check with your vendor for extra savings.)  Usually you only need static IPs if you have a higher end firewall or more sophisticated requirements.  In an Enterprise network you will most likely be using static IP addressing on your the WAN side of your network.

DDNS
You can use Dynamic DNS instead of static IPs in many cases.  These days most modern hardware will include support for DDNS, most older equipment may not support this, but you can use software (like on a computer to add this to your network anyway.

Top Reasons To Avoid AT&T & Comcast Internet Supplied Wifi Routers

1. Take better control of your Network

2. Avoid having to call Comcast or AT&T for Support

3. Better more powerful Wifi (all without having to broadcast some third party wifi like “XFINITY”) and for the benefit of who?

xfinity Wifi Signal is for Who?

4.  Better insight into what goes in and out of your Network to allow you to Analyze, Defend, and Track malicious behaviour or for parental controls (e.g. more powerful Parental Controls with an App)

5.  Take Security in your Network seriously by having more control of your router/firewall

Note:

• Users below 500Mbps can use 3rd party cable modems at this time (since they are Comcast Xfinity approved)
• If you have less than 500Mbps Internet speed with Comcast then consider purchasing a third party cable modem from Arris, or in second place would be a Netgear.  Next, get a separate Wifi system like one of these.
• For AT&T your only option may be to bypass the AT&T supplied equipment, purchase a good Wifi Router/Firewall from Asus check out this blog posting for suggestions.
• Do not combine Cable modem with Wifi ever
• If you buy a separate Wifi system then later you can upgrade or replace only the broken piece (either cable modem or Wifi hardware) so keep them separate!

Now, let us review the most important points we can realize from our experience of fixing and helping thousands of people with Comcast and AT&T.

REVIEW IMPORTANT REASONS WHY:

• Vendor supplied equipment (from Comcast and AT&T) does not provide you with adequate control or insight into your Network
• Do you really want to sit on the phone talking to the AT&T or Comcast representative (in the Philippines?)

• Do you realize some Routers and Firewalls from vendor supplied and even 3rd party equipment you buy at the store is getting hacked?  Here is a posting on Firewalls we wrote in April 2018 Your Firewall Needs An Update.

Some people will do anything to take control of their Internet, so just do something before it gets out of control and you have to waste time fixing it.

In 2020 we are recommending Ubiquiti Network’s UniFi line as our top pick for a 3rd party router for home or small business.  Their expandability and enterprise features make this our favorite choice.

Times have changed but many people still have not upgraded their outdated modems or routers.  If you want to know which WiFi Router we recommended in 2018 check out this blog posting:
The Best Router Firewall for Home & Small Business 2018   

Asus RT-AC68U (AC1900)

http://offthegridit.com/2018/04/10/the-best-router-for-home-small-business/

CABLE MODEMS

• Consider checking with Comcast on what will work with your subscription
• Avoid combining Modem with Wifi

If you want to purchase your own Cable Modem consider these:

Next-Generation ARRIS Surfboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem – Retail Packaging- White

• Mid level Cable Modem for Speeds higher than 300Mbps
• For Xfinity
• Comcast Xfinity and Cox Cable APPROVED! Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner and Brighthouse) and others pending approval.
• Cable Modem only (no WiFi router). Compatible with major U.S cable providers.
• DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem, the newest technology being offered by Cable Internet Providers. Backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0.
• 32 DOWNLOAD and 8 UPLOAD Channels. BEST for 300 Mbps Internet plans and above! Perfect for streaming 4K HD video and online gaming.

Arris Touchstone CM8200A DOCSIS 3.1 Ultra Fast Cable Modem 32X8 Gigabit (Black)

• EXTREME/TOP SPEEDS
• For Xfinity
• Comcast Xfinity and Cox Cable APPROVED! Spectrum (Charter, Time Warner and Brighthouse) and others pending approval.
• Cable Modem only (no WiFi router). Compatible with major U.S cable providers.
• DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem, the newest technology being offered by Cable Internet Providers. Backward compatible with DOCSIS 3.0.
  • 32 DOWNLOAD and 8 UPLOAD Channels. BEST for 300 Mbps Internet plans and above (possibly 1Gbps +, not validated as of 12/4/18.) Perfect for streaming 4K HD video and online gaming.

• BUDGET MODEM
• For Xfinity
• ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 32×8 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem – Retail Packaging – White
• Budget Modem, only BEST for LESS THAN 300 Mbps Internet plans
• Not a good long term selection

Also consider Cable Modems from

• Motorola
• Netgear