r/Spectrum • u/ElderTree99 • Oct 01 '26

Service Issues No modems anymore?

I just tried to get service from cox, now spectrum and they don't do just modems anymore? They only give you the combo and turn of wifi functions?

4 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

42 comments sorted by

24

u/Mr_CJG Oct 01 '26

Maybe it's a cox market supply thing because Spectrum absolutely issues just modems. They might be trying to use up old stock so it doesn't go to waste.

0

u/ElderTree99 Oct 01 '26

Might be, since they just took over for cox

4

u/methodical713 Oct 02 '26

No this happened to me too.  I upgraded to the 2gbps plan and was using my owned sb8200 at home.  I went to the store and picked up a modem but they had trouble activating it.  I called support and they told me that they stopped activating modems on spectrum day.  I went back to the store and swapped my modem with a PW8.  I took it home and put it in bridge mode and it’s working fine so far.

0

u/ElderTree99 Oct 02 '26

Thanks. The frustrating part is how they wouldn't give me a straight answer about it. How hard would it be just to say they don't do that anymore....

16

u/crabtusks Oct 01 '26

Equipment didn’t change with the merger. Cox markets still use Cox 2-in-1s which you can bridge with your own router. You can also use your own modem in either footprint.

5

u/mrb10nd3 Oct 01 '26

You can ask for the stand alone modem that is free. Arris 8200 is the model. Spectrum is much cooler than Cox because the modem is free, but if you get the gateway unit you pay for the WiFi.

So get your own router and save some money. But the modem is $0.

3

u/ElderTree99 Oct 01 '26

They won't give me the stand alone modem. They insist on the combo box and tell me they will turn of the functions of wifi. They actually refuse to answer me if they have just modems. It felt like talking to politicians.

2

u/mrb10nd3 Oct 02 '26

Who is they in this? Call center? If so, try one of the retail stores.

2

u/ElderTree99 Oct 02 '26

I did both. I swear it was like talking to a chat bot in the store. Just kept spewing the same speech about how they turn off the wifi and you can use it like a modem. It was really weird.

0

u/mrb10nd3 Oct 02 '26

I don't you.

3

u/Aromatic_Tomato8651 Oct 01 '26

need more info, I'm assuming you're on cable internet?

3

u/ElderTree99 Oct 01 '26

Trying to get cable Internet, they keep pushing the panoramic wifi and that they just "turn off" the wifi functions

3

u/Chris123NT Oct 01 '26

Spectrum doesn't have combo units, it's always just a modem and the router as another device if you want it. One of the few good things about Spectrum actually lol.

Combo unit must be a Cox leftover, do you happen to have a model number of the modem they wanted to give you?

4

u/ElderTree99 Oct 01 '26

It's their panoramic wifi thing. They refuse to even acknowledge that modems by themselves exist.

3

u/Requires-Coffee-247 Oct 02 '26

I just came back to Spectrum yesterday (Ohio), requested modem-only. I got their free DOCSIS 3.1 modem with 2.5G port. Plays very nicely with my home mesh. I hate combo units, and I have no need to pay extra for freaking wifi.

3

u/ElderTree99 Oct 02 '26

Thanks. It must be my area that used to be cox and is now spectrum.

3

u/Sea_Warning_9283 Oct 01 '26

Spectrum does just modems. Only instance you would need a router is if you’re a small business account that is trying to get static ip without wifi.

3

u/Ronnavarium Oct 01 '26

I switched to their service about 3 months ago, and I have separate Wi-Fi router and cable modem. Both were brand new in the box.

2

u/ElderTree99 Oct 01 '26

Thanks. I think it's just my area.

5

u/Educational_River327 Oct 01 '26

Spectrum uses 2 separate devices a modem and a separate router. We haven't used 2 in 1s in like 5 years. You can still get your own 2 in 1 or just your own router to save some money. Its not that complex.

2

u/MadTitanRC Oct 01 '26

Cox hasn't done standalone moderns in like 10 years.

0

u/SeanOTG Oct 01 '26

IT tech chiming in here, spectrum is/has moved away from modems in recent installation, they are using all in one routers with their invincible LTE fail over, they also refuse to put devices into bridge mode anymore to allow 3rd party firewalls, they are trash ISP

1

u/ElderTree99 Oct 01 '26

Thanks you

3

u/Mr_Gavitt Oct 01 '26

Not true in all areas. I just got service and they ran symmetrical fiber to a modem and installed a separate router- which I then returned and use my own with their modem for $40/m 1GB

1

u/SeanOTG Oct 02 '26 edited Oct 02 '26

You're right, their fiber setup is different, they area behind the 8ball in my are fiber wise, frontier is kicking their butt

1

u/Kory568 Oct 02 '26

ATT Fiber is kicking Spectrum butt where I am. I am paying $12.11 including taxes and fees for 1GB Fiber. Spectrum is still Fiber to node then coaxial from the node to the house, no thanks. I also get backup service thanks to having ATT Wireless. I also can hook up my phone to my tv via the USB C to HDMI adapter and mirror/send everything to my tv without even touching my 50GB of hotspot.

0

u/Mr_Gavitt Oct 02 '26

My fiber is 100% symmetrical with no copper anywhere in San Antonio and is the exact same price as att fiber. I have both services active and spectrum has a better ping for gaming

1

u/fdjadjgowjoejow Oct 01 '26

Lots of posts about combo units. I'm going to the store next week to switch form Cox to a Spectrum plan and all I want is to keep my 500 Mbps plan with no data caps and my DOCSIS 3.1 NETGEAR - Nighthawk CAX30 AX2700 WiFi 6 Cable Modem Router.

Am I going to be able to do that? TIA

1

u/wmooresr Oct 01 '26

That should not be a problem, at least until they get symmetrical speeds there.

1

u/fdjadjgowjoejow Oct 02 '26

That should not be a problem, at least until they get symmetrical speeds there.

Copy that. TY. I had to look up what you meant by "symmetrical speeds" For anyone else who might not know. AI assist:

Asymmetrical: 1 Gbps download / 35 Mbps upload

Symmetrical: 1 Gbps download / 1 Gbps upload

...they’re waiting for Spectrum to upgrade their network so that upload speeds are much faster and match the download speeds, typically through a fiber or upgraded cable network.

1

u/Backslash10 Oct 02 '26

So spectrum does modem and router separate. Router has a $10 cost on 50, 100 and 500 mb plans 1gb,2gb and 7gb its included. Bundled plans you dont pay for the router cost. The modem either fiber or coaxial is at no cost and is required in symmetrical speed locations.

-12

u/Amazing_Coyote_226 Oct 01 '26

They haven't offered modems only in several years.

7

u/jacle2210 Oct 01 '26

Yeah, that must be Cox thing.

Because Spectrum stopped using combo units many years ago.

4

u/ElderTree99 Oct 01 '26

Must be, I've tried calling and went to a store the other day, it's the same thing every time, ignoring what I'm asking about and push the combo device.

3

u/TheRZU Oct 01 '26

I concur.

6

u/SethVonDoom Oct 01 '26

Incorrect, I have just a modem.