Wireless Internet, router, cable?

Question

I want to get wireless internet. So when I get high speed internet through Cox cable, I'm assuming they will give me a modem. Then for the wireless I will need a router. Can I use any type of router? Like I have good experiences with Linksys, so will that work? Or do cable companies have deals with certain wireless routers? Also is wireless internet always through a cable company? Is wireless just an adaption of cable interent?

Answer 1

I'm not sure if Cox sells you a modem or not, but you can use any brand modem, router, adapter together.   In order to have a wireless network, you need a broadband connection (dsl, cable, fios, etc) and a wireless router.

A router, wired or wireless, allows multiple sessions using one internet connection.  That way you can have one Cox internet connection and several computers.  

A wireless router, in addition to the above, creates a wireless signal so your local network doesn't have to have ethernet cables.  Your computer does have to have a wireless adapter though.

Answer 2

I have cable Internet and am using a Linksys router for the wireless.  Linksys is the best and very reliable.  No probs here.  Sounds like you're ready!  Good luck!

Answer 3

There are two kinds of "wireless" Internet.  The original is the kind you see at Starbucks:  A cable or DSL connection with a wireless router doing the "wireless" part.

The second is true wireless through a cell phone network.  I don't know if there are routers for this kind yet.

You should be able to use any router, wireless or not, that connects to the modem type (DSL or cable) your ISP uses.  Linksys is fine.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

I think what your asking  is and I'll try to answer it   is that yes the cable co. will give you a modem  the router is for you to buy. now you didn't say what exactly "gaming or watching you tube or just reading net news" so I'll assume your just a general user and not a hard core gamer sometimes ISP's provide a combo modem /router or just a modem  which you either connect to or buy a wireless router which if  it is a "G" which most are you would get around 54mbs of speed. however if your a gamer and want more speed or watch streaming video  you would want an "N" which will deliver around 300mbs but only if your wifi card in your comp is also an "N"   hope this helps explain what I think was your question

Answer 5

From the perspective of someone who works for a cable company, I can tell you that I almost always tell people to purchase their own router. We give modems free with the service, but for a router we lease them for an additional $10 a month. Once you lease the router for 6 or 7 months, you could have purchased your own. The only time when I recommend that people get one from us is when they know nothing about internet service or the equipment involved. If you get your own, we couldn't care less what brand or what kind you get.

If it's your own router, it'll save you money, but if you call us and you have an issue with your internet service, and we think it's due to your router, you're on your own to fix it. If you have our router, it's more expensive, but if anything happens to the router, then we fix it for you. I had a customer who had a dog that broke her router, that she got from us, 3 times and we always replaced it for her.

What the "top contributor" is referring to is an AirCard through a cellphone provider not a wireless router.