The joy of living without cell service

[CalG]

The internet provider (Comcast) sent me an e-mail a week ago to offer an improved router to go with their new fiber optic delivery lines.

So, I signed up.

The box came yesterday, and I took some time this morning to set it up, replacing the old box.

After downloading the app to the phone, and taking a picture of the "code image". I started in.
First disconnecting the old box, then connecting the new one.

Well, got to about step 5 of the setup, and got a "No Connection" warning, "Would you like to make a service appointment"?

Well , We only get phone service here at the house via Wi-Fi. There is no "cell Service" here.
So I was in a "chicken or egg" situation. Can't get phone app to work without cell service, and can't get phone to work without the wi-fi.

The appointment is next Friday afternoon, I wonder what the work around is going to be. The "pre- service prep info" indicates I need to get the app on my phone before the serviceman arrives. Hee-hee-hhee.

 

[lman]

It may not help but you could drive a few miles to cell service and install the app. I remember when our internet went down a few years ago, I had to drive a couple of miles to the highway to make a call.
I've always set up a new router by finding the network and default password and accessing the settings to get it started.
How did you post this message?

 

[Oaktree]

Ran into something similar a few years ago when I installed a new cable modem (one I owned as opposed to paying a rental fee from the provider). Once it was physically hooked up, they needed the MAC address to permission it. They de-permissioned the old one, then the agent told me I needed to agree to a new terms of use policy before they could permission the new one. Fine and dandy, but they'd already disabled the old one, so I didn't have any way to go online to agree to the new terms. Apparently once the old one was de-permissioned they couldn't re-permission it.
Don't have a smartphone.
Went round and round with the rep until I had him escalate the problem to someone who knew something. Got a different representative who WAS able to re-permission the old modem long enough for me to agree with the EULA.

I sure wish the business world would realize that (1) not everyone has or wants a smartphone and (2) even those who do may not want to install your ap to do something they should be able to do without doing so.

 

[lman]

Ran into something similar a few years ago when I installed a new cable modem (one I owned as opposed to paying a rental fee from the provider). Once it was physically hooked up, they needed the MAC address to permission it. They de-permissioned the old one, then the agent told me I needed to agree to a new terms of use policy before they could permission the new one. Fine and dandy, but they'd already disabled the old one, so I didn't have any way to go online to agree to the new terms. Apparently once the old one was de-permissioned they couldn't re-permission it.
Don't have a smartphone.
Went round and round with the rep until I had him escalate the problem to someone who knew something. Got a different representative who WAS able to re-permission the old modem long enough for me to agree with the EULA.

I sure wish the business world would realize that (1) not everyone has or wants a smartphone and (2) even those who do may not want to install your ap to do something they should be able to do without doing so.

Good luck on that.

 

[Jstpssng]

Good luck on that.

Some of us say that if you require me to upload your app then you don't need my business.

 

[ponytug]

We had the same type of issue last week with Starlink, but no representative to talk to. It was an interesting catch-22 to realize that their system need to see satellites at your location and simultaneously needed cell service to commission it.

All the best, Peter

 

[lman]

Some of us say that if you require me to upload your app then you don't need my business.

I only have one option for internet so I learned how to set mine up without the app. I never installed the app. It wasn't necessary for my router.

 

[Jstpssng]

I only have one option for internet so I learned how to set mine up without the app. I never installed the app. It wasn't necessary for my router.

Right now my phone is my only internet option. It sort of works at my house, if I want better service I drive to the top of the hill on the other end of my property.
It also works well as a hotspot for my laptop.
Also for my company phone, which uses a different server and has much worse coverage.

 

[CalG]

It may not help but you could drive a few miles to cell service and install the app. I remember when our internet went down a few years ago, I had to drive a couple of miles to the highway to make a call.
I've always set up a new router by finding the network and default password and accessing the settings to get it started.
How did you post this message?

Yes, I drove the mile and a half to get service. But then the new box set up needed a QR code or manual text entry. Both needed phone service while at the device..not a mile away.

I put the old box back in to post that message.

 

[JTKub]

I live in a valley, so we've endured the same thing for years. We are lucky to get one bar of cell service at the house, so WIFI is needed. Cable internet is our only choice unless you want to go with satellite internet and we only have one cable internet provider (Spectrum). Darn near $100/no just for their basic internet service.

 

[CalG]

Work around!

I left the old box connected, and connected the new box via a splitter that had been put in when we had a TV (We don't miss that thing at all!)

That worked, but there were a few ups and downs. I'm not sure if two routers on one incoming line is a "thing".

Any way, the phones appear to work at the house, the wired devices appear to work, and the wife's wireless tablet is going.

I may cancel the service appointment.....tomorrow ;-)

 

[CalG]

I live in a valley, so we've endured the same thing for years. We are lucky to get one bar of cell service at the house, so WIFI is needed. Cable internet is our only choice unless you want to go with satellite internet and we only have one cable internet provider (Spectrum). Darn near $100/no just for their basic internet service.

xfinity is OVER $100/mo just for internet.

The only option here.

 

[Roadworthy]

I'm too far out to get cable. I can get wi-fi beamed to me but it's iffy. I've tried three different cell phone providers (AT$T, T-Mobile, and Verizon). Verizon is the only one that works reliably. I use Visible by Verizon. For $25 a month I can use the phone as a hot spot for my computer or television and they don't throttle the speed back after using so much data. The only issue getting connected was they're not compatible with all phones - I purchased a phone from them to ensure it would work. It did. It was cheaper than other vendors, though.