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Tech News and Commentary
Dave and the team discuss Amazon’s headcount, Amazon and Microsoft fighting over cloud computing contracts, a in-shoe navigation device for users with visual impairment, in-store activation for power tools, Google’s custom phone processor, a new Android 12 beta, the tech in Dave’s new car, and more.
Chris in Cold Spring, Minnesota listens on KNSI and used the AskDave button at IntoTomorrow.com to call in and asked: “I was wondering if your modem has anything to do with your connectivity, and keeping a good connection – in that, if I get a new modem, other than the one issued to me by my provider. And if so, what would be a good brand to get?”
The modem has everything to do with external connectivity and nothing to do with internal connectivity.
In other words, if your internal network works (your devices can see each other and they think theyre connected to WiFi with a strong signal) but you dont have internet access, then your modem may be to blame. If your WiFi drops then its not your modem, unless its an all-in-one model that includes a WiFi router in the same device.
Getting a new modem is almost certainly pointless. As long as your modem adheres to the Docsis 3.0 standard you should be all set for gigabit connections and you wont notice a difference if you bring your own.
The only advantage of buying your own would be to avoid monthly rental fees if you have them at all, in which case you can replace your modem with the same model issued by your ISP, likely pay around $100, and not pay monthly fees going forward if thats an option (its not always they case).
In terms of performance youre not very likely to notice any difference at all, and if your modem was provided by your ISP and its not working properly, theyll replace it for you.
Modems are not marketed towards end users, so theyre usually more solid devices with fewer quality issues than inexpensive routers and more akin to expensive and stable routers, so you dont really need to bother replacing your modem yourself to try to improve the quality of your connection.
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