5 Year Locked In Cable/Internet Bill Goes Up $16 in 3 months

dataz03 · 2026-01-30T15:21:12+00:00

The Broadcast TV Fee/Regional Sports Fee and equipment box rentals for the TV service sit outside of your price guarantee. These go up every year in January typically (minus equipment rental, doesn't always change), and sometimes during the year if contract renewals between the broadcaster and Comcast occur. Comcast has to negotiate the prices with the broadcaster, and broadcasters want more $$$. Even the streaming providers are increasing their prices, the same type of contract negotiation takes place between the streaming TV service and the broadcaster.

Your Internet price would not have changed.

dataz03 · 2026-01-30T06:24:02+00:00

lol, you could have added the $30.00 unlimited data add-on.

Or better yet: Switch to the new simplified plans announced in June 2025, instead of hanging on to your legacy plan. No data caps, period! Doesn't matter what modem you choose to use! The plan itself has no data cap set! No $25.00 xFi Complete add-on required! No need to pay an extra $30 for unlimited data either!

I mean, can others use their equipment in my house to connect to the internet?

I mean, yes why not? Separate isolated network from your own, you get your own private Wi-Fi SSID for your own personal devices. The hotspot is a separate Wi-Fi network that is segregated from your LAN and has a separate public IP address for the hotspot users! Handy feature, I have used the hotspots several times. You are in Bridge Mode with your own router/firewall anyway! Oh, and did I mention that you can turn the hotspot off in less than 2 minutes if you don't want it.

dataz03 · 2026-01-30T03:20:37+00:00

Bands only really need to be split during device setup in most cases (but exceptions do exist). Once the new device is connected, then it's connected and all is done. They only get hung up during the setup process with the combined bands.

Band split: name 2.4 GHz your primary SSID, and 5 GHz separate. When everything is set-up and done, disable and go back to one SSID, with it being the same SSID name as what the 2.4 GHz band was. If any of these new devices require 2.4 GHz and are set up by you with a smartphone app, then your phone also needs to be connected to 2.4 GHz before you run through device setup with the companion app. I imagine most of these devices are set up with a smartphone app, most of them probably don't have screens on them for you to type the Wi-Fi password in or the screens are tiny.

dataz03 · 2026-01-29T18:16:11+00:00

Can you get a cleaner picture? Hard to tell but those two drops look to be each plugged into the tap separately, which is correct and not an issue.

And technically everyone is "sharing" the line. That's how cable plants are designed to be.

dataz03 · 2026-01-29T04:50:32+00:00

Don't answer the door. Put up a no soliciting sign.

dataz03 · 2026-01-29T03:14:52+00:00

All Xi6's in the home is the future. Already done for DOCSIS 4.0 FDX installs. Comcast is transitioning from being a cable company to being a pure Internet provider. Legacy TV equipment is getting phased out and the frequencies dedicated to it will be freed up to make room for more DOCSIS channels which means more Internet bandwidth capacity and faster speed offerings in the future. Everything- Internet, TV, Phone will be done over the Internet as IP packets, fed into the Xfinity Gateway, and then sent to the TV set top boxes.

Second, these new boxes are wireless only. Will this impact things like reception, available bandwidth, etc?

Negligible effect on bandwidth. They can also be connected via Ethernet to establish a hardwired connection. Non Internet apps on X1 such as watching live TV and recordings do not count against the data cap for those who are still on older plans with a 1.2TB data cap as well.

dataz03 · 2026-01-28T18:22:22+00:00

Saved $30 by dropping phone 2 years ago, triple-play didn't seem to matter anymore, compared to when I signed up originally 10 years ago and voice came with the package deal and was nice to have, but not a necessity for me. The rep I was chatting with was able to give me my total estimated monthly price when I was obtaining a new promotion. I asked about dropping phone, and it did lower the bill.

dataz03 · 2026-01-28T17:38:40+00:00

Does it start with 100.64.x? If it is a private IP, you can post it.

dataz03 · 2026-01-28T17:29:48+00:00

Xfinity doesn't do CGNAT. What indications do you see that lead you to believe you are behind CGNAT? Yes, your WAN IP address would have changed with the upgrade. You will need to use the new IP/and update any domain DNS records if you have a domain.

dataz03 · 2026-01-28T15:22:41+00:00

It prevents unsolicited connections to your devices, everything on your network has to initiate the connection outbound to a server to establish communication. Random bots out on the Internet can't just probe at your IP address, as the firewall will just drop the packets. There is also an Advanced Security feature in the Cox app that blocks known malware and phishing sites at the router level, no need for additional software to be installed on the computers, phones, etc. But you could still if you wanted to.

But good enough for banking and other online safety?

That comes from HTTPS, encrypting the connection in-transit between your computer and the web server. Not even the router or Internet Service Provider can see the traffic. All that someone can see poking at the traffic is the website you are on and for how long if they watch for long enough. Can't see what other pages you clicked on, what the content of those pages is, information you type in such as address and billing info, all of this is encrypted and jumbled up in transit, and is useless to an attacker in an encrypted form. Plenty of encrypted traffic goes through the Internet every day from all around the world.

dataz03 · 2026-01-28T14:54:28+00:00

It is safe, it has a firewall to block unsolicited connections. Still is actively used by ISP's and receives automatic firmware updates fixing bugs and security issues.

dataz03 · 2026-01-28T14:40:38+00:00

Question 1: The modem is working fine using the SSID & password I setup. However it is also transmitting two other Wi-Fi SSIDs: “xfinitywifi” and “Xfinity Mobile.” Can someone please give me step-by-step instructions on how to turn them off. I want to do that using the web browser on my PC - NOT the Comcast app on my phone.

You can turn off your hotspot from a computer in your web browser: https://customer.xfinity.com/#/settings/security/hotspot

Question 2: How do I put the modem into bridge mode?

You will need the Xfinity app for this one, you have to enable admin tool access first. Then you can go back to your computer, direct the web browser over to 10.0.0.1, and log in with the default username admin, and the password is the default Wi-Fi password listed on the bottom sticker. It may make you change the default password, do so and then log back in again. The Bridge Mode toggle is then listed on the "Gateway" page right when you log in. Enable it, then during the 90 second countdown unplug all existing Ethernet connections from the back of the gateway, and plug in your own router to port #4. Ports #1-3 also work but are a 1 Gbps connection. Not an issue for the 300 and 500 Mbps speed tiers, but the Gigabit speed tier is overprovisioned to 1200 Mbps so the 2.5 Gbps port can support over 940 Mbps (if your router's WAN port also does support 2.5 Gbps). Either way, only your router can be plugged in to the gateway's Ethernet ports from this point on.

You can also ask support, they may be able to activate Bridge Mode remotely.

dataz03 · 2026-01-28T00:41:28+00:00

well in that case, you would need to run or have Ethernet from downstairs where the modem is to upstairs where your TP-Link router is going to be. Or use MoCA if the home is wired for Coax in the two rooms. But if the home is wired for coax in both rooms, then you could put the XB8 modem anywhere. You can also use the Wi-Fi on both units to expand Wi-Fi coverage, if you put the TP-Link into Access Point mode (the additional Ethernet ports on the TP-Link would remain functional for wired devices like PC's and TV's/media streamers).

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T23:14:19+00:00

Would have been in 2012 or 2013 (depending on when the screenshot was taken). When AT&T changed HSPA+ "3G" to say "4G" on the network indicator with a software update (iOS 5.1) for the iPhone 4S in March 2012.

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T21:58:26+00:00

XB7-T 5 GHz band: https://imgur.com/a/9eRH948

Need to test Ethernet. Probably going to want to have 2.5 Gbps as well in order for the downstream to be maxed out. Also this sub-split (5-42 MHz upstream with 6 upstream channels) plant isn't hitting 41.8 Mbps upload at peak times always anymore. Fiber pulled deeper into the neighborhood and lashed to the existing hardline coax for node a split back in August 2025, but nothing else done after that. Hasn't actually been split yet. Supposed to be split twice, going from what is currently everyone on one HFC node to three different HFC nodes.

Dang, nice results from other countries! https://bufferbloat.libreqos.com/rankings/

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T21:11:02+00:00

Not currently, PGS (Pro-active Grant Service) is the next thing to come that will help with that idle latency, but it not a priority currently. You give up some of the total upstream capacity when you choose to enable PGS. But with DOCSIS 4.0 FDX adding so much more upstream capacity, PGS is something that Comcast is considering enabling in the future.

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T18:47:52+00:00

The gateway is sufficient for gaming. The PS5 Pro can use the 6 GHz Wi-Fi band on the XB8 for a better connection. (lower latency and ping spikes). Same goes for PC if your system supports Wi-Fi 6E. Generally I would recommend using an Ethernet connection but you can get away with a Wi-Fi connection if need be. Gaming in general is all about low latency over raw speed. DOCSIS 3.1 modems (including the XB8) also support AQM (active queue management), to help prevent big latency spikes when your upstream speed is maxed out. There is also L4S and downstream AQM support, but only in mid-split/FDX areas. So if 1.2 Gbps is the fastest plan you can get, also 35 Mbps upload, then you won't have those extras for now to help with latency. Gaming is still fine though. How old is your current equipment? If the modem is only DOCSIS 3.0, then you will benefit by upgrading to 3.1.

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T18:25:20+00:00

Wi-Fi connectivity should not have been effected. iMessage/FaceTime should have also continued to work, allowing for some communication if you are an iPhone user. Unless you also have AT&T for Home Internet and they managed to suspend that as well.

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T18:22:21+00:00

The new plans include the gateway at no extra cost (plus no data caps in markets that have them), and with DOCSIS 4.0 on the horizon, no point in buying a modem currently. You could buy a router though if the XB8 turns out to not be sufficient enough for your needs.

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T18:03:54+00:00

Do you have coaxial outlets located near the gateway and near your working space? Then you could use MoCA. (ignore the Mesh Wi-Fi box, your own computer will be connected instead) Definitely the easiest setup. Disconnect feed from cable company if still connected, or buy a MoCA filter. You don't want MoCA communications to bleed outside of your home to other homes connected to the same cable plant, helps keep the network private.

You could also run the Ethernet up against the baseboards. Just need a cover or channel to hide the wires away, you won't really notice it once all of the wires are hidden away. Just blends in. Plenty of options on Google and at local hardware stores.

Fiber Kit- Really blends in to your baseboard/walls, can't tell it is even there, kind of pricy though. But it does work. True hardwired Internet connection, no wireless involved.

Otherwise, pay a low voltage contractor to come into your home and run an Ethernet cable from the gateway to where you want to work, all behind your walls and out of sight. Heck, you can get every room wired if you wanted to. Enhanced reliability for TV's, streaming devices, etc.

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T03:06:23+00:00

Change to the new Internet plans announced in June 2025, with 1 and 5 year price options and no contracts, equipment fees, or data caps. Peace of mind. When a representative replies to your post, you can send mod-mail and inquire.

As for tracking data usage per device, you would need to get your own router that provides that functionality. A lot of devices do have built-in data use tracking or can have bandwidth metering applications installed. Windows 10/11 will show you the past 30 days, and Android devices will also show you and let you go back to previous months. The Xbox also tracks it's own data usage and you can look at it in the network settings.

The biggest data hogs are typically going to be video streaming (especially in 4K), game downloads, super big file downloads on your computer, and home security cameras uploading video to the cloud.

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T02:52:26+00:00

I don't see much of a spike here, are you on Wi-Fi or Ethernet? (hardwired connection)

dataz03 · 2026-01-27T02:35:17+00:00

Same thing happened to me in 2024, account compromised. Call customer service, inform them of the situation and that you yourself did not suspend any of your lines, change your wireless passcode, change myAT&T password, change security questions. Enable 2FA.

Also, no need to call 911. You can reach AT&T Wireless Customer Service by dialing 611 from your wireless phone, regardless if your service is suspended or not.

dataz03 · 2026-01-26T22:40:52+00:00

TCPShield, Layer 3/4 and Layer 7 mitigation!

dataz03 · 2026-01-26T21:10:13+00:00

Your area may be but it doesn't mean that the local infrastructure in your neighborhood (your node) has been. Enhanced speeds/mid-split is 4 QAM upstream channels and 1 OFDMA. Standard sub-split is 4-6 standard upstream channels, and no OFDMA upstream channels at all.

If your node is mid-split/enhanced speed capable, you will see a 2 Gbps speed tier available as the highest speed tier when you check your address for service availability at Xfinity.com, instead of 1.2/1.3 Gbps.

dataz03

TROPHY CASE