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Tuesday, March 6th, 2018 3:00 PM

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ANSWERED: Finding Approved Xfinity Modems and Gateways

Find out more about buying and using your own internet equipment (cable modem/gateway) instead of renting an Xfinity Wireless Gateway.

Keep in mind there are advantages to using an Xfinity Wireless Gateway, including access to value-added services such as xFi — our WiFi management platform — and usage of a home-based Xfinity WiFi hotspot.

Before making the decision to use your own equipment, find out what the Xfinity Wireless Gateway has to offer, including coverage, features, speed and exclusive Xfinity services.

Note: Xfinity Prepaid Internet Wireless Gateways cannot be used for standard Xfinity services.

Find out if your equipment is approved and compatible with Xfinity services

  1. Before buying your own equipment, use my device info to easily check if your device is approved for Xfinity Internet and/or Voice service.
  2. My device info shows a database of all approved cable modems.
    • You can also use this site to make sure your modem or router supports your selected internet speed tier.
  3. After checking this website for approved retail devices, visit xfinity.com/learn/offers for up-to-date information on the internet speeds and other offers available in your area.

If you don't know your level of service, check your Xfinity services.

Identify approved retail devices

Before buying a retail device through a third-party retailer, go to my device info to better understand which devices are approved by Comcast. For more details, see the FAQs section.

  1. To get a personalized experience, go to my device info from your web browser and click Sign In. Then, sign in using your Xfinity ID and password.
    • Notes:
      • If you don't sign in or aren't an Xfinity customer, you'll need to enter your Street Address and select a Download speed from the drop-down menu.
      • Then, click the Find Devices button to show all equipment compatible with the download speed you chose.
  2. You'll see recommended devices.
  3. Click Get Gateway if you’d like to rent an xFi Gateway.
  4. Click theView detailslink under the thumbnail image of a specific device.
    • You can narrow the search results by using the filters available on the left-hand side of the screen. Filtering options include:
      • Download Speed.
      • Voice/Telephone Enabled.
      • Built-in WiFi.
      • Brand.
      • DOCSIS Channels.
      • DOCSIS Version.
  5. If the device is compatible with your Xfinity Internet and/or Voice service, you'll see a message under the thumbnail image with details about the product, including Device Type and Download Speed.
    Confirmation messaging: This device is compatible with your service download speed of 250 Mbps.

  6. You'll only see recommended devices.
    • Note: You can click All Compatible Devices to view a list of other compatible but not recommended devices.

FAQs

Can I bring my own equipment to Comcast?
You can purchase your own retail modem for use with your Xfinity Internet and/or Voice service, as long as the equipment is certified to work on our network. Before buying from the retailer of your choice, please go to my device info to find certified retail equipment that supports your internet speed tier.

If you're an existing customer and need to know your level of service, see which level of Xfinity services you subscribe to. Then, after buying compatible retail equipment, install and activate it and start enjoying your service. To learn more, see installing and activating your purchased modem for Xfinity Internet or Xfinity Voice service.

What are my responsibilities when buying and using my own equipment with Xfinity service?
You're responsible for making sure your retail device is secure and certified, that it supports your Xfinity Internet service speed, and for upgrading your equipment when we increase speeds. Visit my device info for compatibility. We recommend that you stay aware of new developments in technology to better understand when replacing your retail device may be necessary.

You'll be responsible for troubleshooting device-related issues using the manufacturer's user manual if we've confirmed that your Xfinity Internet or Voice service is functioning properly. You'll also be responsible for configuring your wireless network's security settings, if applicable.

How do I find the right retail equipment?
If you're currently an Xfinity Internet or Voice customer, you can find compatible retail equipment automatically. Just visitmy device infoand sign in for a personalized experience.

Once you've signed in, you'll see information about your existing device, as well as download speed (if applicable) and all retail equipment certified and compatible with your existing service. You can customize the results by adjusting the filters, such as Download Speed, Built-In WiFi or Voice/Telephone-enabled.

If you're not currently an Xfinity customer, you can still find compatible retail equipment using your address and the internet service speed you want.

Note: Please remember that modems require routers in most network configurations for features like WiFi or to support add-on products like Xfinity Home.

What does it mean if my equipment isn't supported, and how do I check if a piece of equipment isn't supported?
If a device isn't supported, it's not certified for use on our network and won't be activated as new or replacement equipment. You can check if a piece of equipment isn't supported using my device info.

Note: Uncertified and end-of-life equipment won't show up on my device info.

For existing Xfinity Internet or Voice customers, if you try to use a piece of equipment that's not supported, the equipment will automatically display with a yellow indicator and notification once you sign in tomy device info.

To learn more about why devices become unsupported or end-of-life, please see why upgrading your devices is important.

What should I do if my older retail equipment isn't supported?
To get the most out of your service, you should consider replacing your retail equipment if it has been identified as not supported. You have the option to replace your older retail device by renting a wireless gateway, or by purchasing a certified and compatible device listed on my device info. To learn more about the Xfinity Wireless Gateway, see renting an Xfinity Wireless Gateway.

Can I use Xfinity Prepaid equipment (cable modem/gateway) with Xfinity Internet services?
Xfinity Prepaid Internet equipment doesn’t work with Xfinity Internet services. You would have to replace your Prepaid Wireless Gateway with a rented or purchased certified compatible device listed on my device info.

Learn more about renting a wireless gateway from Xfinity.

When can I use retail equipment (cable modem/gateway) that I already own or want to buy with my Gigabit Internet service?
There are third-party, Comcast-certified retail cable modems and gateways that support the Gigabit Internet service. To learn more about this service and to check if it's available in your area, visit xfinity.com/gig.

Additional information

Visit our Online Support Center to find common solutions and self-help options, troubleshoot or manage your account and more.

The easiest way to manage and troubleshoot your Xfinity experience is with the Xfinity app! Download it for free from Google Play or the App Store, or text "APP" to 266278.

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​Expert-Created Content/Videos​

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​***Created by our ​​ Community Experts​​***​

​Below is a list of Comcast/Xfinity approved retail modems and gateways that can be used in lieu of rental equipment.​​ ​​This is not an official list ​​but is compiled and maintained by the community.  Please visit ​​https://mydeviceinfo.xfinity.com​​ to verify that a specific device will work with your service.  If you find an error or information that needs to be updated, please feel free to send me a private message. Thank you!​

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​Definitions​

​Modem:​​ ​​This is the basic device you need to connect your home network to Comcast. A modem will provide a single ethernet connection. Most people connect the modem to a​​ ​​router​​ in order to have more than one wired device and WiFi service. Some modems provide voice capabilities.​

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​Gateway: ​​Many people don't want to deal with a separate modem and router. A gateway device is a combination modem and router. They typically allow four wired connections and provide WiFi. Some gateway devices also provide voice capabilities. ​

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​Channels:​​ ​​These are communication paths. The more channels the better. This is expressed as​​ ​​downstream channels​​ x​​ ​​upstream channels​​. So a device that is labeled "32x8" has 32 downstream channels and 8 upstream channels. Higher speed tiers require modems with more channels. Each channel can handle ~25Mbps, therefore an eight channel modem would be capable of ~200Mbps. ​

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​To find your speed tier v​​isit ​​https://mydeviceinfo.xfinity.com​​. After you log into your account, your speed tier will be displayed on the left-hand side of your screen. Alternatively, you can​​ ​​view the speed tier to which you are subscribed here​​. Sign in and scroll down to the data usage graph area.​

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​Additional Resources​

​https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/list-of-approved-cable-modems​

​https://www.xfinity.com/support/devices/#unauth​

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