So Comcast sent a new modem...

[johngalt]

... and that turned out not to work as smoothly as possible. It was a forced upgrade - they say my old modem won't work with the network after 1/25/2018.

The new modem has built in wireless capability, which I don't need because I have my own Airport wireless base. I disconnected the old modem and connected the new one. Connecting the first time with my computer walked me through the modem setup/activation, which was painless. It appeared all was working well, except...

My connection to the internet was very slow and intermittent. The Airport connection doctor ran its diagnostics, which concluded that there are too many wireless signals in close proximity, which makes sense since the Airport and Xfinity modem are only 1 foot apart and both are using the same frequencies.

I also discovered Xfinity pulled a dirty trick - their modem has a built in public hotspot named 'xfinitywifi' that you have no control over, but is using your bandwidth and electricity.

I started a chat session with xfinity (which actually works quite well) to have them shut off the wireless radios. The biggest problem with the chat was that due to my unreliable connection, the chat kept getting interrupted.

Anyway, they shut off my wireless network, but the public hotspot is still broadcasting. They say to wait 24 hours and then reboot the modem. If the hotspot is still up to call them again.

So we will see hat happens next. I would prefer to have a modem with no wireless capability, like my old one.

 

[GaryS]

If it's an X1 modem, you should be able to turn off the public WiFi. At least you can on mine.

 

[johngalt]

If it's an X1 modem, you should be able to turn off the public WiFi. At least you can on mine.

I'm not sure what model it is, it doesn't say. I did find that if I connect to http://10.0.0.1 I can get to the internal settings. Turning on bridge mode supposedly turns off the wireless network, but the hotspot is still broadcasting. Apparently xfinity has to do that on their end. The status lights on the front indicate that it is still broadcasting on both the 2.4 and 5.0 GHz bands.

 

[rwsmith]

Does the 'hotspot' mean...

Does the hotspot mean that your modem is acting as a hotspot for other users?

 

[Jack222]

I just got a new modem also 2 weeks ago. Model XB3 written at the very bottom. I just checked and it is broadcasting a hotspot too. I will follow this thread.

 

[rkwood]

The best thing to do is buy your own cable modem from the list of compatible modems on the Comcast website. You can buy a good Arris brand unit from Amazon for around $60-$80 or the newer models can also sometimes be found at thrift stores for $7 or so... Owning your own cable modem allows you to control your own destiny.

 

[rick1085]

If you have a smart phone. Download the xfinity my account app. Log in, click on Internet, then click on your modem. Then advanced settings. There you will see a home hotspot switch. Turn it off.
You're done!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I also discovered Xfinity pulled a dirty trick - their modem has a built in public hotspot named 'xfinitywifi' that you have no control over, but is using your bandwidth and electricity.

Turn pubic hotspot on or off.

How to Turn XFINITY WiFi Home Hotspot On or Off - My Account Help

I have Xfinity and use my own Motorola modem along with the new Airport Extreme. Got the modem at BestBuy a few years ago. Box said it was good for Comcast at the time. Why was your old modem not compatible... still using a 14.4k?

 

[Onomea]

FWIW, Comcast says that allowing your Comcast/Xfinity wireless router to be a hotspot for Xfinity customers who use the Xfinity mobile app in no way reduces the bandwidth that is provided to you in return for your subscription.

I find using the Xfinity mobile app helpful as it allows me to connect to Xfinity hotspots while out and about.

I left the hotspot function on my router on.

 

[GaryS]

Bridge mode does disable the built in WiFi, but has nothing to do with the public hot spot.

To turn off the public hotspot, go to XFINITY | My Account | EcoBill(R) Online Bill Pay

Log in using your user name and password. It will bring you to the page that allows you to turn off the public hotspot. Why you can't do that from the modem, I don't know, but you can't.

The reason they do that is to keep you from having to share your password with people while giving them access to the Internet. I don't believe that it actually effects your bandwidth, but I've never asked.

ETA: I see others beat me to it.

I'm not sure what model it is, it doesn't say. I did find that if I connect to http://10.0.0.1 I can get to the internal settings. Turning on bridge mode supposedly turns off the wireless network, but the hotspot is still broadcasting. Apparently xfinity has to do that on their end. The status lights on the front indicate that it is still broadcasting on both the 2.4 and 5.0 GHz bands.

 

[johngalt]

Turn pubic hotspot on or off.

How to Turn XFINITY WiFi Home Hotspot On or Off - My Account Help

I have Xfinity and use my own Motorola modem along with the new Airport Extreme. Got the modem at BestBuy a few years ago. Box said it was good for Comcast at the time. Why was your old modem not compatible... still using a 14.4k?

I don't know why the old one isn't compatible - the network protocol hasn't changed. They just say it isn't compatible with the new network speeds.

I checked my account, the hotspot is disabled but I still see the hotspot (assuming it is not my neighbor). The status lights indicate wifi is still on.

But the interference seems to be reduced, my airport seems to be working better.

My modem is the Arris tg862g, which appears to not be highly regarded. I get my phone through the xfinity triple play package, so my options for modems are very limited.

Why do I get my phone through them? Because I live in a crappy town where the only other option is Frontier, which is even worse.

 

[johngalt]

FWIW, Comcast says that allowing your Comcast/Xfinity wireless router to be a hotspot for Xfinity customers who use the Xfinity mobile app in no way reduces the bandwidth that is provided to you in return for your subscription.

I find using the Xfinity mobile app helpful as it allows me to connect to Xfinity hotspots while out and about.

I left the hotspot function on my router on.

Possibly so, but I don't want it broadcasting and interfering with my airport.

While the hotspot is using a different channel, all of the available channels go through a pipe of fixed bandwidth. If the bandwidth is sufficient for all channels at full speed that might be correct. Is it? That I don't know. I suspect they are taking liberties with their interpretation of 'no effect'. Just as car salesmen insist the new downsized turbo engines have 'no lag'.

 

[H Richard]

I have my own modem, but they tell me I need to update as the current one won't handle the new speeds. I just had to get a new one about 5 years ago. I haven't done anything yet, and don't plan to until after the new year. Wonder what happens if I don't get a new one? They gave me a website to go to to get a list of what modems are certified to work at the new speeds.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I don't know why the old one isn't compatible - the network protocol hasn't changed. They just say it isn't compatible with the new network speeds.

I checked my account, the hotspot is disabled but I still see the hotspot (assuming it is not my neighbor). The status lights indicate wifi is still on.

But the interference seems to be reduced, my airport seems to be working better.

My modem is the Arris tg862g, which appears to not be highly regarded. I get my phone through the xfinity triple play package, so my options for modems are very limited.

Why do I get my phone through them? Because I live in a crappy town where the only other option is Frontier, which is even worse.

The modem I have is good for 300+Mbps. Maybe yours was not up to speed for a change in service. Xfinity told me they were going to 100Mpbs minimums around here.

This hotspot thing got me to thinking about the new cell phone service Xfinity is offering. The rates are significantly lower than the competition and terms are very flexible. Almost too good to be true. When the gal was telling me about it she mentioned that Comcast had hotspots everywhere so cell data usage would likely be significantly less than what I use with Sprint. So........ maybe that's the plan. Get everyone broadcasting a hotspot for Comcast via their home and business.

 

[PPS1980]

The best thing to do is buy your own cable modem from the list of compatible modems on the Comcast website. You can buy a good Arris brand unit from Amazon for around $60-$80 or the newer models can also sometimes be found at thrift stores for $7 or so... Owning your own cable modem allows you to control your own destiny.

That's what I did. Why allow others to suck your bandwidth for free and lower your access in the process. Buy a 3.0 modem (the 3.1s are still new and acting up and having reliability problems) and be done with it.

 

[bullmack]

I have an X1 modem and they sent me an message asking to upgrade it because it will not handle their faster speeds.

 

[johngalt]

I rebooted my modem. while it was off, I checked the available networks - xfinitywifi is still there, so at least one of my neighbors has the hotspot on. That doesn't mean mine isn't also still on - I think if there is more than one it just acts as a range extender.

The lights on the modem still indicate that wifi is broadcasting, but my airport is working better. I guess I don't know if the wifi is really off or not. As long as my airport works, I guess it doesn't matter.

 

[johngalt]

This hotspot thing got me to thinking about the new cell phone service Xfinity is offering. The rates are significantly lower than the competition and terms are very flexible. Almost too good to be true. When the gal was telling me about it she mentioned that Comcast had hotspots everywhere so cell data usage would likely be significantly less than what I use with Sprint. So........ maybe that's the plan. Get everyone broadcasting a hotspot for Comcast via their home and business.

That is exactly how Comcast is building their hotspot network. Pretty ingenious (and of questionable ethics). The customers are paying for the electricity to power their network.

 

[Onomea]

I see your point about not wanting the Comcast router to interfere with your own WiFi Airport gizmo.

In my case, I bought from Amazon for $100 or so a box which is both a WiFi for the house and also the Xfinity internet router (?). This is for a place I bought in Oregon a couple of years ago. I have an Airport WiFi in my house in Japan, but have been wondering if I should replace it. It's about five years old. I read that WiFi technology has advanced a lot, and suspect a new one might be faster.

(Don't think they take much electricity, so I would not worry about that aspect of it.)