Broadband Modems

trevortt · 14-08-2007, 18:30

Hi,

I would like to up my current connection 4MB to the 20MB but i do not want to get the standard modem from Blueyonder (Virgin)

I am currently on the Motorola Surfboard SB4100 which will not take a 20MB connection.

Instead i would like to get this one

Does anyone know where i can get one from in the UK as they all seem to be available in the USA.

Mick Fisher · 14-08-2007, 18:32

You can only use modems supplied by VM.

trevortt · 14-08-2007, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick Fisher

You can only use modems supplied by VM.

Well thats bull, i am sure as long as i register the MAC address of the modem with them they should be fine with it?

**Jefferson T** · 14-08-2007, 18:54

No they won't be fine with it.

Mick Fisher · 14-08-2007, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevortt

Well thats bull, i am sure as long as i register the MAC address of the modem with them they should be fine with it?

Go ahead and buy your modem, try to register it, get disappointed at having wasted your money

you will be the only one who cares.

v0id · 14-08-2007, 20:28

You can't even buy them legally in this country anyway can you?

When you phone up for a modem swap, specifically ask for the motorola modem, tell them you need one with a vertical stand as you have no space to lay it horizontally. If you catch a CS rep in a good mood, you might get one

trevortt · 14-08-2007, 22:59

Why the hell cant u get your own modem, why dop you have to use their own, i would prefer a Motorola modem as their other models are crap.

Quote:

You can't even buy them legally in this country anyway can you?

Whats so illegal about buying a modem?

**Graham M** · 14-08-2007, 23:01

Crap how?

trevortt · 14-08-2007, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

Crap how?

Well i hear alot of people complaining that their units overheat alot & drop the connections.

v0id · 15-08-2007, 00:08

err it's more likely that the motorola modems would overheat, I'd have thought as they have internal power supplies

Do as I suggested, and request one when you put in for a replacement. It's worked for a few people wo reported on the the newsgroups. Me personally, I'm more than happy with the tiny (cheap looking) SA 2100 that was sent me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevortt

Whats so illegal about buying a modem?

AFAIK no retailer sticks motorolla modems over here, so the only way to buy one is from ebay or the like, which would [more than likely] be buying stolen goods as those with UK plugs would be property of virginmedia

spiderplant · 15-08-2007, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevortt

Why the hell cant u get your own modem, why dop you have to use their own, i would prefer a Motorola modem as their other models are crap.

According to Motorola's own website, the one you want has "speeds up to 100 times faster than with traditional 28.8k analog phone modems". So that's 2.88Mbps - slower than your SB4100.

Not to mention it being a US-standard modem that simply won't work on EuroDOCSIS networks.

Rockabilly Spike · 15-08-2007, 12:14

what would be the point of buying and owning a cable modem? its not like if you left Virgin you could go to another UK cable co. with the same modem and get a connection with them instead.

trevortt · 15-08-2007, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id

err it's more likely that the motorola modems would overheat, I'd have thought as they have internal power supplies

Do as I suggested, and request one when you put in for a replacement. It's worked for a few people wo reported on the the newsgroups. Me personally, I'm more than happy with the tiny (cheap looking) SA 2100 that was sent me.

AFAIK no retailer sticks motorolla modems over here, so the only way to buy one is from ebay or the like, which would [more than likely] be buying stolen goods as those with UK plugs would be property of virginmedia

No i have seen various American retailers selling them none of which are eBay relating plus the Motorola site in America sells them too.

---------- Post added at 17:44 ---------- Previous post was at 17:43 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockabilly Spike

what would be the point of buying and owning a cable modem? its not like if you left Virgin you could go to another UK cable co. with the same modem and get a connection with them instead.

it has a much wider support and also includes more performance than a standard modem would.

**Graham M** · 15-08-2007, 17:50

including the fact that basically VM are the ONLY CableCo in the UK

trevortt · 15-08-2007, 17:55

Buying Cable Modems

Cable modems are starting to become widely available to consumers who'd like to buy their own units. Cable companies also lease modems to subscribers so that they won't have to deal with obsolescence issues as the technology evolves.

It may save you money in the long run to purchase your own modem. As DOCSIS becomes the industry standard you shouldn't have to worry about the modem being incompatible with another system if you move. When buying a modem, make sure that it is compatible with your system. There are still a few non-DOCSIS networks out there.

Cable modems range in price from $120 to $200, though a sale can knock quite a bit off that price. They can be found at retail outlets specializing in home electronics and at various online stores.

Source

There is no mention on there that it is illegal.

What did you all do when you had 56k internet, did you not buy your own modems?