Older Docsis 3.0 Modem Works Great and Just do Internet Basics. Question?

Satch

Hello Spectrum,

I recently got the "Action required email" to order a new Docsis 3.1 modem for higher Internet Speed. The thing is I am not a gamer, I don't watch or download things that need the newer speeds and just browse the Internet downloading photos, Office/Google Drive files. Internet reliability is excellent, and extremely reliable. I might have to reboot the modem once every four to six months.

My philosophy is "Don't trouble trouble, til trouble troubles you." or "Don't fix what's not broken." Will Spectrum still be supporting Doc Sis 3.0 modems for some time to come? Obviously, the Spectrum documentation states clearly that Doc sis 1.0 is gone due to its age, and I still know people on the older 2.0 modems who are on borrowed time. I believe in upgrading on needs over speeds. While I am actually encouraging my Internet games and heavy downloaders to upgrade tp Docsis 3.1, I don't think casual users need the higher speeds yet. What is Spectrum's position on modem upgrades? My engineering friends say, "If you are not a heavy Internet downloadfer or bandwidth user, keep your existing modem. If you are heavily into gaming, music, movies, and large files, (which doesn't apply to me,) than upgrade."

Satch

Lyn_T

Hi there @Satch

Thank you for reaching out to us about the email you received. Generally, any emails sent out we have a record noted on the account of the communications. I am not seeing anything recently sent out. Was this attached to your billing statement or a separate email? Also, can you provide the date the email was sent to you? -Lyn

Satch

Good Evening @Lyn_T,

It was an email message, This might have been sent by the marketing people. I use the new Yahoo Mail and it prioritizes messages. The message was not in my high priority list. Checking it now. Date of email: Tues November 19, 4:07PM .

OK, It looks to be from Spectrum Marketing. I broke up the email into three screenshots added:

Satch

William_M

@Satch It doesn't look like you are being required to upgrade just yet but it will likely come at some point in the near future, continuing to use a D3.0 modem could cause service issues as network upgrades are made in your area, not just for yourself but others nearby. I recommend upgrading now but you could wait longer, when it's required you should get another email that will tell you specifically what date the swap needs to be completed to avoid service loss.

Satch

I am going to wait it out thank you @William_M and @Lyn_T for your assistance!

Satch

RAIST515O

Eventually, the frequency spectrum is going to get restructured. 3.0 connections are baked into 3.1 and 4.x, but ultimately are there more as a fallback case. So while 3.0 will still "work", it will go through a period where it will be VERY limited performance and be phased out of mainstream usage... same way as 1.x and 2.x were handled in the past.

Youcould still technically connect an old 3/1 modem... provided the headend is configured to allow it... but the frequency/protocols may not be active in the system any more so they can use the resources for the newer technology... kinda like what happened with older 2g/3g cellphone tech.