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Comcast Phone Service vs. My Own VOIP Phone
If I've got my technologies all messed up, I will appreciate correction:
I am a prospective cord-cutter. Ideally, I would like to get only internet service from Comcast, not phone, not TV.
I might be interested in maintaining a landline phone, i.e., in addition to my mobile phone. It seems that I can get landline service in one of two ways:
- Through Comcast, obviously; and
- With my own VOIP phone (and router) and Comcast's modem.
What would be the pros and cons of these two alternatives?
Thanks for your help.
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CCAndrew
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4 years ago
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CCAndrew
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4 years ago
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Bulldog99
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229 Messages
4 years ago
I should add that the biggest reason why I would choose my own VOIP phone and VOIP service over Comcast's voice service is that with Comcast's voice service I have to lease an eMTA from Comcast, whereas with my own VOIP phone and VOIP service I can buy my own modem.
It's primarily that eMTA rental charge that I'm trying to avoid. Also, should I ever decide to try Verizon's FIOS, it would be easy to switch my voice service to FIOS because it's all my equipment.
But is it still the case that to use Comcast's voice service, I must lease their eMTA?
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Bulldog99
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4 years ago
Thanks for replying.
Clearly, it would be cheaper. What I had more in mind, and should have specified, is if there is an inherent technical advantage to using Comcast's own phone service in terms of voice quality and up time vs. my own phone and VOIP service.
A lot depends on the quality of my phone and of the VOIP service I choose, I know. Aside from that, does Comcast's own phone service have a built-in voice quality and service up time advantage just by being Comcast's own service?
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BruceW
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4 years ago
Equipment that works with their Voice service is available for purchase as well as rental, see https://www.xfinity.com/support/devices/. Be sure to check the "Voice/Telephone enabled" box. Also see https://forums.xfinity.com/t5/Home-Phone-Service-Equipment/How-to-purchase-and-install-a-voice-modem....
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Bulldog99
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4 years ago
Can you show me on either of those links where I can purchase a new (i.e., unused) eMTA?
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BruceW
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4 years ago
The site doesn't indicate whether devices are still in production or not, but I believe that the CM1150V and the CM500V are fairly new. Perhaps others as well.
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Bulldog99
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4 years ago
The fact is, these eMTAs are not offered for sale to consumers. That's why available units are used, and there is no guarantee that Comcast will permit them on their network.
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BruceW
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4 years ago
Both of the models mentioned are available as new equipment from multiple sources, and both are listed on Comcast's "approved retail" site. Why would you say they are "not offered for sale to consumers"?
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