How to avoid Wi-Fi equipment rental fees

Consider Internet Service Provider (ISP) Types

Home Networking Equipment – WYNTK

First, know that there is an important distinction between Internet and Wi-Fi. Simply, think of the Internet as the network of cables and stuff outside your home. The modem or gateway allows your home to connect to the Internet. And Wi-Fi is how your devices connect to the modem/ gateway inside your home, replacing the need for Ethernet cables. Read Internet vs. Wi-Fi for more details. All internet connections require the following:

IMPORTANT: We are in the beginning of a technology shift to Wi-Fi 6. More and more internet-connected devices (phones, tablets, computers, TVs, smart home devices) are utilizing Wi-Fi 6 technologies in lieu of Wi-Fi 5. If the modem/ ONT/ gateway isn’t Wi-Fi 6, then your Wi-Fi 6 devices will not benefit from the increased speed and reliability of the new technology. And in some cases, we have found that older devices are not compatible with sophisticated, custom networking setups. Learn more about Wi-Fi 6.

Wi-Fi Equipment – to Rent or to Own

With most Internet Service Providers, they will recommend (or force) you to rent a Gateway. However, the gateway is often not as good as the devices you can purchase. Why do the ISPs do this? Because they want you to pay monthly fees for equipment in addition to the service so that they can make more money on your subscription. But renting isn’t the best option. To avoid Wi-Fi equipment rental fees, you should consider owning your own equipment. It’s how you can save hundreds of dollars per year on Wi-Fi and the internet.

NOTE: There is a tradeoff between renting network equipment and purchasing networking equipment. Renting the equipment costs more in the long run and is not the highest quality equipment. However, rented equipment will be replaced if it fails. Purchasing the right networking equipment can improve overall speed and provide better Wi-Fi coverage. And you can save hundreds of dollars annually by owning it. Most equipment will have 1 year manufacturer warranties should the equipment fail.

Recommended Hardware:

• Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router: TPLink Deco X20 Mesh
• Tri Band Wi-Fi 6E Mesh: TPLink Deco AX5400 Mesh
• Cable ISP Modem: Motorola MB7421 Cable Modem only

Rent vs. Own Options by Provider Type

ISP	Equipment Required	Options	Recommendations
Cable (ex. Xfinity)	Cable modem plus router Or, Gateway	Own or Rent	– Purchase your own modem, requires activation – Purchase a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system
Telco DSL (ex. CenturyLink/Lumen)	DSL Gateway	Rent	Rent the DSL gateway because owning is too provider specific. Purchase your own Wi-Fi 6 mesh system because the provided gateway has poor Wi-Fi.
Telco Fiber (ex. Quantum from Lumen Tech., Google Fiber)	ONT plus, Wi-Fi router Or, Gateway	Some offer the ONT free. Rent	With a free ONT rental, we recommend you purchase and own your Wi-Fi 6 mesh system.
Municipal Fiber (ex. NextLight, Connexion)	ONT plus, Wi-Fi router Or, Gateway	Some offer the ONT free. Rent	Rent the ONT / Gateway from the ISP. Purchase and own your own Wi-Fi 6 mesh system.
Fixed Wireless / 5G Wireless (ex. Verizon, T-Mobile)	Gateway	Most offer the Gateway Free	Gateway must be close to a window line of sight to transmitting tower, thus signal strength throughout the home is weak. Purchase and own your own Wi-Fi 6 mesh system.
Low-orbit satellite (ex. Starlink)	Gateway	Starlink offers the Gateway Free	While the Gateway is free, it tends to be less powerful. Purchase and own your own Wi-Fi 6 mesh system.
Satellite (ex. Dish, DirecTV)	Gateway	Rent or Own	Gateway rental is typically required, but devices do not have good Wi-Fi signal. Purchase and own your own Wi-Fi 6 mesh system.

Key Takeaways Recap

We know that this subject can be confusing, so here are a few key takeaways:

• Internet Service Providers generally do NOT rent you the best equipment. They rent you the equipment that is prioritized for cost over performance. Exception: NextLight in Longmont Colorado rents a very high quality Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router for a reasonable price.
• Wi-Fi Routers (especially Wi-Fi 6 Mesh) that you purchase will perform better in terms of speed and coverage than those you rent.
• Gateway rental fees go up every year and currently can range anywhere from $180 to $300 per year.
• For a 2500 sq. ft. home, a high-quality Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router will cost approximately $250 and will be highly effective for 4 – 7 years.
• By purchasing your Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router you will save $1000 over four years.
• When you purchase your own router, you can take it with you when you move or switch Internet Service Provider. Simply plug it in and it will work with all your devices just like it did in your old home. No need to set it up again from scratch.
• If you only have DSL service available at your address, we recommend purchasing a Wi-Fi 6 mesh network.

Conclusion: Avoid Wi-Fi Equipment Rental Fees

1. If possible, avoid Wi-Fi equipment rental fees. Owning your equipment can save you the most money while having a reliable home network. Even as Internet and home networking equipment evolve, your owned network can last you 5+ years. The own vs. rent payback is typically 8-10 months. Unfortunately, not all ISPs give you this option, but take advantage of it if they do.
2. Choose a professional home-network installer that cares about your entertainment and smart home needs. Only StreamWise Solutions offers a free, no obligation consultation first and an appreciation for how you use the internet (tv, streaming, gaming, computing, etc.).