The joy of living without cell service

CalG · 2025-10-12T00:45:03-0400

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 · 2025-10-12T07:15:16-0400

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 · 2025-10-12T08:41:49-0400

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 · 2025-10-12T08:43:59-0400

Oaktree said:
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 · 2025-10-12T08:54:32-0400

lman said:
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 · 2025-10-12T08:55:11-0400

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