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Question

Motorola DOCSIS 3.0 modem declared EOL by Comcast

May 10, 2017 4:18PM PDT

Hello folks. Yesterday while discussing my inferior Comcast Internet speed with them, they declared my Motorola Surfboard SB6121 at end of life (EOL). It's specs are a DOCSIS 3.0, 802.11ac etc. My speed test shows about 45Mbps down and about 12Mbps up. I was told by them that they are providing 75Mbps, anyway. I was told I should get a new modem, but they could not explain to me why, when my modem supports download up to 343Mbps, they suggested a DOCSIS 3.1, the specs say it's 10x faster that DOCSIS 3.0. I don't think a new modem will speed up my Internet connection, and for $175 give or take, I will be wasting my money. My question is; do I really need a new modem to speed up my connection. I don't think so, and I'm a software engineer. Thanks, Jay

Discussion is locked

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Answer
It's their cable plant.
May 10, 2017 4:30PM PDT

So EOL doesn't always mean it's gone. It's more like XP. Use it but don't expect support.

I've seen folk push back on this so a nod to dslreport forums if you want to go over this again.

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Answer
Think again
May 10, 2017 5:34PM PDT

I just did this with Comcast .
After another member told me how slow my internet speed was compared to what I was paying for , I questioned Comcast and found out I was paying for 100 Mbps down and was only clocking 31 down.
The said my Netgear modem was out of date and couldn't handle the speed.
I purchased the new modem and Bingo, I have 100 Mbps down and 15 up ( depending on the time of day.
So, they're probably telling the truth

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Motorola SB6121 DOCSIS 3.0
May 10, 2017 6:25PM PDT

Thank you sir. The Netgear modem that you had before you replaced it, was it DOCSIS 3.0 ? I can buy a new modem spec. DOCSIS 3.0, but what did you upgrade to ? DOCSIS 3.1, this is for the new technology for 1GB download. I would just like to know before I buy the 3.1. I seemed to know more that the Comcast support. Just because they declare a modem out of date & EOL according to the MAC ID, doesn't mean it doesn't work anymore. My spec says it will handle 343Mbps down. So I have to decide if a new one will give me better download than 45 or so when I'm paying for 75. Seventy five DL will be so much better.

Thanks, Jay.

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I'll show you both
May 10, 2017 6:35PM PDT
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If I had to do it over again
May 10, 2017 6:47PM PDT
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NETGEAR CM1000
May 10, 2017 7:03PM PDT

I know, I saw the Netgear CM1000 and the price, it says you should be set for years. I was just saying that the SB6121 is capable of 343Mbps down, I'm paying for 75 and getting 42. If you said that the CM1000 improved your download to 100, what you were paying for, I'll look into it and keep you updated. Thanks for your help, appreciated. Jay

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Answer
Modem
May 11, 2017 3:59AM PDT
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SB6121 Modem
May 11, 2017 3:48PM PDT

Thanks Bob, That's a great link ! My speed mysteriously went up to 68Mpbs down from 35 after I spoke with them. I don't think I need a new modem now, like I told them. Until they actually increase the speed past 343 down.

Thanks Again,
Jay