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Thread ID: 150412 2022-01-14 02:21:00 Spark Free Modems?? bk T (215) Press F1
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1483501 2022-01-14 02:21:00 Just found out that Spark has stopped giving 'Free' Modem/Routers even to new customers. All of their plans are on OPEN Terms.

I checked with them earlier today because my good old HG659b which is >6 years old now, is developing some issues. I used to get a new replacement unit at my door the next day years ago. It is discontinued now.

In view of the above, what's the recommended reliable, and reasonably priced router now. I am a bit out of touch with new routers as my good old HG659b served me well for the past years.

Cheers
bk T (215)
1483502 2022-01-14 03:58:00 My Spark modem recently died, just out of warranty so I paid just over $100. for the new replacement 'VRV9517UWAC34'. This model only has three (3) ethernet ports compared to four (4) on the earlier modem.
New one is doing all I need at the moment. Wi-Fi is good.
PeterE (6851)
1483503 2022-01-14 04:27:00 They now offered me the Spark Smart Modem 2.
The outright price of the modem at $106.20 or interest free options are:

1) $8.85 per month for 12 months
2) $5.90 per month for 18 months
3) $4.43 per month for 24 months
4) $2.95 per month for 36 months

Don't know how good / bad the new so-called 'Smart' modem are.

My Options are:
1. May change to another ISP to get a FREE modem.
2. Buy a 'third party' router. probably more expensive
3. Buy the Spark smart router by their Interest Free terms.
bk T (215)
1483504 2022-01-14 05:11:00 My Spark modem recently died, just out of warranty so I paid just over $100. for the new replacement 'VRV9517UWAC34'. This model only has three (3) ethernet ports compared to four (4) on the earlier modem.
New one is doing all I need at the moment. Wi-Fi is good.

Which modem were you using before?

The new replacement is better than the old one, other than only 3 Ethernet ports?
bk T (215)
1483505 2022-01-14 06:19:00 In the past I have found that a good way to get modems and such-like is to go to Church Opportunity Shops, they often have late models for $2 - $5 presumably from the previous owner expiring and the goods being donated to a church.

Salvation Army Shop is a good source as well including hard to find connecting cables and all sorts of random goodies but much more competitive and the prices tend to be a bit higher.
zqwerty (97)
1483506 2022-01-14 08:43:00 If you're on fiber your old one will top out at 100Mbits down. My fiber plan has just been upgraded to 300 Mbits so to get the full spped I need to upgrade the router. Just ordered their new one at $106. It's supossed to have good Wifi coverage. paulw (1826)
1483507 2022-01-15 02:07:00 @paulw which router is that? my HG695B does 300/100 just fine 11252 dugimodo (138)
1483508 2022-01-15 05:12:00 www.trademe.co.nz piroska (17583)
1483509 2022-01-15 21:39:00 After a lengthy online (via WhatsApp) 'negotiation' with Spark, they finally agreed to replace the modem with VRV9517UWAC34, as I am a loyal customer since those 'dial-up' days; but I need to pay for the postage and handling fee of $14.95, which I think is fair.
Sometimes, there's nothing to lose to use some nice, soft words in a negotiation. :)

Hope the new replacement modem will be at my door in the next couple of days.
bk T (215)
1483510 2022-01-16 01:22:00 @paulw which router is that? my HG695B does 300/100 just fine 11252

My current one is a HG630B which maxs out a 100Mbits down. The new one is a "Spark Smart Modem - VRV9517UWAC34 " Not sure what its max speed is. Still waiting for it to arrive.
paulw (1826)
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