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Yatesmichael's avatar
Yatesmichael
Follower
Aug 26, 2020

What's the point in buying a modem if you can't get updates for it?

I've read enough threads to understand that vendors like to sell you modems but won't share the firmware updates.  
So, now I have a modem that is crashing and my ISP refuses to update it and Netgear refuses to let me update it.

I'm not asking why they won't release the FW online.

I'm asking why should I waste my money buying another modem from a vendor?

1 Reply

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  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru
    Aug 27, 2020

    It isn't isolated to netgear. Reason why is the firmware/provisioning is how the ISP controls the speeds. 
    if end users could change the modems firmware, they could modify it for whatever speed they want. 
    Its why the isp controls it. But it costs the ISP $ to certify (test) new firmware which is why they rarely update. 

     

    If you want to rent a modem from an ISP, feel free to. But if you get tired of paying the $ to them and want to actually have your own equipment and maybe save some $ of the lifespan of a device then buy one. It doesn't have to be netgear. But like I said, the issue is the same for all modems*.

     

    The firmware upgrade issue is one of the reason we recommend users buy seperate modems from their routers and not all in one devices. 

     

    Potentially we can help you with your device. 

    What device do you have? 

    What issue are you having? Crashing isn't specific or detailed enough for us to help. So go over the issues, what you've done to correct it.

    Also, take a screen snip of your cable connections page and logs. That lets us check the connection back to the isp. 

     

     

    *the all modems thing. the new CAX80 has modem and router firmware seperated out within it. The isp still controls the firmware on the modem but the router aspect is supposed to be user updatable. I haven't seen any actual firmware updates but its supposed to.