Comments on: Frontier Communications Boosts DSL Modem Rental Fee to $6.99 Per Month

By: Mike Hess

Mike Hess — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:36:06 +0000

Frontier pulled this stunt in WV in early 2009. I bought my own Speedstream and mailed theirs back to them. All with their knowledge and permission.

Now, here we are in Feb. of 2010, guess what? My SpeedStream rental fee has suddenly reapeared on my bill!

After a conversation with their billing folks they now, suddenly claim they have no record of ever having had a conversation with me regarding owning my own modem, nor did they ever recieve their modem back in March of 09… Funny how this just “suddenly” happened!

They also claim that “I’ve been using their technical support, so either way, I’d have to pay a fee. Mind you that the “use of their tech support” they are referring to is my having to call in a “Your DSL Service is DOWN” about once every 2 weeks for the last 4 to 6 months. So in Frontier’s mind calling in the fact that their service is down equals “you requested tech support”…

I’m SO sick of these folks I could scream! I have to call them every single month to get them to fix some billing error, some mystery charge, get my service (either phone, voice mail, or DSL) fixed, get my LD billing correct…on and on and on…

This all started about a year ago. I’m guessing they’re over extended, and also trying to come up with every possible way to squeeze a penny out of the customers to make up for it!

So, the BL is, if you buy your own modem, don’t count on it not being charged anyway!!!

By: Phillip Dampier

Phillip Dampier — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:30:11 +0000

Were you a Telus DSL customer per chance? Used Telus Speedstream modems turn up on eBay all the time and should be able to be re-purposed with Frontier.

You have to contact Frontier technical support and get them to “provision” your new modem to be recognized by their service. I would think giving them the device’s MAC address, which is probably somewhere on the modem or the box (or available from the status screen) would be generally enough for them to access it and configure it to work on Frontier.

You should be able to bring your own device to their DSL service and dispense with the outrageous rental fee, and save plenty. A lot of their tech support is done locally here in Rochester, NY. Occasionally, a tech support rep may not understand what you are looking to do and won’t be able to help, but you can call back and try again. Our reader Smith is well-versed on Frontier’s services and can probably assist, but if you still experience problems, drop me a note on our contact form. I know a few folks over at Frontier who might be able to intervene.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:47:33 +0000

Hi, I am a Frontier DSL subscriber in a small town in Minnesota where Frontier has the sole market for this service. I rent the Speedstream 6520 modem. The price started out at $3.99 in 2007 and is now $6.99. This infuriates me since I have no choice of ISP’s.

I have my own Speedstream 6520 modem which I used in Canada successfully with another provider. When I try to use it in Mn on my laptop, I am not able to access the internet. What am I missing? Does Frontier do something special to interface their modem to my computer? Why can’t I use their installation CD with my modem? Is it just geared to the modem they gave me to rent?’
What set-up info do I need to ask Frontier to set up my own modem?

Thanks anyone.

By: Phillip Dampier

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:15:26 +0000

It’s clearly an attempt to raise the price on customers with backdoor nickle and diming, especially if they don’t offer an easy way to purchase and bring your own modem to the service without a lot of Scooby Doo-like mystery. When consumers get inconsistent answers, many will be afraid of buying a modem outright they aren’t absolutely positive Frontier will accept and provision for service, ending that modem rental fee for good.

By: Phillip Dampier

Phillip Dampier — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:53:09 +0000

My Frontier bill was a real mess for two months thanks to my DSL experience, so I’m not surprised your credit didn’t materialize. If you are still using Frontier, I’d call the Executive Office customer service (number in the front of the White Pages) and ask for that $50.

Bringing your own modem to the service is one of those “your results may vary” things, although some people have managed to do so and get the fee dropped. A lot of former Telus (in western Canada) DSL customers sell the same modems Frontier uses on eBay so keep an eye out. Back in April, I found several used ones for less than $50.

By: Smith6612

Smith6612 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:27:41 +0000

My SpeedStream 6520 doesn’t have any rental fee on it as no such fee appears on my bill. It seems that they’ve been tacking that on ever since the SE567s started being used. But more of a reason to use your own modem.

Just for the notice, make sure you have a DSL modem which can support the VPI/VCI Encapsulation settings of 0/35 which Frontier typically uses, and possibly 8/35 as well should you oddly enough be on that. Also, the modem can be a “dumb” or a bridged modem, or it can be a modem that supports PPPoE or PPPoA Authentication. Anything will work. ADSL2+ modems are suggested but old ADSL ones will work too. Make sure the modem supports ATM as well, as Frame Relay ones will not work!

By: Ron Dafoe

Ron Dafoe — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:02:31 +0000

These Frontier modem rental fees are bogus. When I had DSL years ago, there were no fees for the modem. They have had them for a litttle while now and I feel it is very misleading and wrong to have them. They always disclose the fee, but they make it look like they are lower in price.

Raising the fee is worse to me than increasing the cost of service. They can still advertise those $24.99 prices, but now they really are over $30.

By: Angus

Angus — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:19:10 +0000

When I signed up for Frontier DSL when TWC was going to implement caps, I was told there was no way to avoid renting a modem(and was promised a $50 credit that never materialized b/c I complained about this). If I could return the POS modem they give out and replace it with a cheap DSL bridge & my own router I’d do it in a heartbeat.

By: Uncle Ken

Uncle Ken — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:22:24 +0000

Im not sure what STC could do given that Phil dumped them because of speed issues
I do not doubt any ones numbers on what the providers are making but
the economy it still in the tank and OB just said from the great wall of
china that we spend to much money and could be looking at another
double digit recession. SO just like bank rates they are raising everything
knowing regulation might be around the corner. Look for more of this
soon. Cell phones are killing them but I remain a hard core copper
phone nut because it works well. I have no desire to be connected 24/7
as most of the people who call want something. Family can call anytime
for anything. Your not on the white list you ain’t getting through. Frontier
finds to many of these Ebay modems they will ban it to only their offerings.

By: Phillip Dampier

Phillip Dampier — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:16:47 +0000

I have bigger fish to fry at the moment.

As Wednesday Addams said, “wait.”