The joy of living without cell service

[CalG]

The internet provider (Comcast) sent me an e-mail a week ago to offer an improved router to go with their new fiber optic delivery lines.

So, I signed up.

The box came yesterday, and I took some time this morning to set it up, replacing the old box.

After downloading the app to the phone, and taking a picture of the "code image". I started in.
First disconnecting the old box, then connecting the new one.

Well, got to about step 5 of the setup, and got a "No Connection" warning, "Would you like to make a service appointment"?

Well , We only get phone service here at the house via Wi-Fi. There is no "cell Service" here.
So I was in a "chicken or egg" situation. Can't get phone app to work without cell service, and can't get phone to work without the wi-fi.

The appointment is next Friday afternoon, I wonder what the work around is going to be. The "pre- service prep info" indicates I need to get the app on my phone before the serviceman arrives. Hee-hee-hhee.

 

[lman]

It may not help but you could drive a few miles to cell service and install the app. I remember when our internet went down a few years ago, I had to drive a couple of miles to the highway to make a call.
I've always set up a new router by finding the network and default password and accessing the settings to get it started.
How did you post this message?

 

[Oaktree]

Ran into something similar a few years ago when I installed a new cable modem (one I owned as opposed to paying a rental fee from the provider). Once it was physically hooked up, they needed the MAC address to permission it. They de-permissioned the old one, then the agent told me I needed to agree to a new terms of use policy before they could permission the new one. Fine and dandy, but they'd already disabled the old one, so I didn't have any way to go online to agree to the new terms. Apparently once the old one was de-permissioned they couldn't re-permission it.
Don't have a smartphone.
Went round and round with the rep until I had him escalate the problem to someone who knew something. Got a different representative who WAS able to re-permission the old modem long enough for me to agree with the EULA.

I sure wish the business world would realize that (1) not everyone has or wants a smartphone and (2) even those who do may not want to install your ap to do something they should be able to do without doing so.

 

[lman]

Ran into something similar a few years ago when I installed a new cable modem (one I owned as opposed to paying a rental fee from the provider). Once it was physically hooked up, they needed the MAC address to permission it. They de-permissioned the old one, then the agent told me I needed to agree to a new terms of use policy before they could permission the new one. Fine and dandy, but they'd already disabled the old one, so I didn't have any way to go online to agree to the new terms. Apparently once the old one was de-permissioned they couldn't re-permission it.
Don't have a smartphone.
Went round and round with the rep until I had him escalate the problem to someone who knew something. Got a different representative who WAS able to re-permission the old modem long enough for me to agree with the EULA.

I sure wish the business world would realize that (1) not everyone has or wants a smartphone and (2) even those who do may not want to install your ap to do something they should be able to do without doing so.

Good luck on that.

 

[Jstpssng]

Good luck on that.

Some of us say that if you require me to upload your app then you don't need my business.

 

[ponytug]

We had the same type of issue last week with Starlink, but no representative to talk to. It was an interesting catch-22 to realize that their system need to see satellites at your location and simultaneously needed cell service to commission it.

All the best, Peter