13 Oct
2011
13 Oct
'11
11:11 a.m.
At 12:18 PM 10/13/2011, Keith M wrote:
Verizon(both DSL and FIOS) and Comcast(cable modem) who
are the predominant carriers in my area give out wireless *routers* standard and have done
so for at least 5 or 6 years.
Can't quite tell if you are refuting me or confirming how it is in your area.
I assure you, in SE WI, it is as I describe. Yes, a device that NATs and
includes a DSL or cable modem should properly be called a modem/router
and I presume they aren't doing anything firewall-ish like actual protection.
Walk into any Walmart, ask for a DSL modem, they'll sell you a $55 gizmo with
an ATT logo on the box. Maybe we're a backwater that won't have fiber to
the home for another decade, but fresh squeaky cheese curds are $4-5 a pound.
ATT U-Verse is only available in cherry-picked areas of Milwaukee, Madison,
and parts of the Fox Valley.
The days of the ISPs trying to upsell a router(or
wireless router) are long gone. Consumers now-a-days demand wireless routers standard.
Could be the case in your area. I assure you, as recently as this month,
ATT (n? Wisconsin Bell, n? SBC) will ship a non-wireless one-MAC router/modem
when you order low-end DSL. The wireless 4-port is an extra-cost option.
- John