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Forum Discussion
CM1000 - ISP (Wowway) says they can't update firmware, I need to contact NetGear....
Seems I'm stuck in a circular finger pointing - NetGear says customers/modem owners can't update the firmware and my ISP (woway - 6th largest in the country) says they can't/don't update the firmware...
Its not a scam. Its part of the docsis spec. Netgear does submit firmwares to the ISP for updates. but it costs the ISP's money as they "certify it". So most just don't certify it unless it fixes a major error. Sadly, netgear can't force them to update.
But usually issues with modems aren't related to firmware. It tends to be line/connection issues.
Do you have a screen snip of the cable connections page and the event logs from the modem?
I stand by my statement it is a scam, if that's the docis spec, then that line item in the spec serves no benefit to the customer and you can gaurantee whatever 'group' came up with the spec was filled by industry representatives - it only benefits the companies as I outlined above. I'm sure somebody argued it would serve the customer better due to 'stability' etc.
Just like prevernting the federal government from negotiating drug prices somehow benefits the average American. The point is, I own the hardware, I I choose to ugprade the firmware, great. If it doesn't work, ok, it is my hardware. This was not intended to help the the end consumer.
You can lodge your statement against these guys then:
Maybe they will listen to you. This is NOT a scam!!! The spec as been like this for a long time now.
One reason why users can't update FW, ISP sent FW seemed to have bricked users bought modems back in the past. This was costly for ISPs to have to replace user owned modems. One reason why that ISPs are now testing in house FW that gets sent to them prior to pushing FW to user owned modems. Some ISPs will not push FW to users owned modems.
If this is not to your liking then I recommend you find a different ISP than cable or use the ISPs modems, either DSL or Fiber which you may have some control over. In regards to Fiber, most of there ONTs are not user controlled either. Not much is needed. So only a connected wifi router is all that needed.Most cases FW update is NOT needed or would solve problems with modems. Most of the time its a signal line issue from the ISP which THEY the ISP needs to look in to and solve.
Good Luck.
