When you buy a cable modem do you need to call the internet provider?

Question

When you buy a cable modem do you need to call the internet provider?

Answer 1

if they register by MAC address, then yes you would. Other than that, you should be able to plug it in a go. Of course, programming the cable modem would be needed, but your better off calling them and finding out.

Answer 2

YES.

Answer 3

Cable modems are registered by MAC, but typically, if you were sent a modem by the company, your MAC address is already registered.  Unless the documentation that came with the modem specifically tells you to call, you don't need to call.  Keep in mind that once you plug in a computer to it, you will not be able to plug any other computer into without some degree of complication.  The modem will remember your COMPUTER'S MAC address.  If you get a ROUTER, wireless or not, you can then CLONE the MAC address of your computer, thereby making it look to the modem that it's your computer plugged into, but actually it's a router with a bunch of computers plugged into it.  Got it?

Answer 4

Almost all ISP's use the MAC address of your cable modem to determine who's a paying customer. So you won't get any service until you phone them and give them the MAC address of your new modem.