Contributor
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2 Messages
Can I buy my own wireless router for Uverse and avoif the $7 monthly rental?
I called AT&T on 9/8/15 and asked a representative if it is possible to purchase my own wireless router for my U-verse Internet/Voice service and avoid the $7 monthly rental fee, and was told that I could. But on the AT&T forum, people said that it is NOT possible to avoid the $7 monthly fee, even if I purchase the equipment. Who is correct?
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skeeterintexas
ACE - Expert
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27.7K Messages
9 years ago
I'm sorry that you were so terribly misinformed but as pedro said, all equipment is leased and incurs a monthly fee. This includes the Residential Gateway (aka RG/router/modem) which is wireless capable.
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JefferMC
ACE - Expert
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35.1K Messages
9 years ago
No, you cannot. AT&T charges all customers (who aren't grandfathered under an old policy) an equipment fee. In any case, you can't buy the same gear directly from the manufacturer because it won't have AT&T's firmware. You could buy it used, but (a) AT&T will normally give you trouble about activating it, and (b) what's the point, you'll still pay the equipment fee.
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pedrochin
Guru
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638 Messages
9 years ago
the forum.
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Chano
Contributor
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1 Message
9 years ago
So, I don't understand. Can't you or can you buy your own router (the same model) and remove that rental fee?
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D4V1D1
Contributor
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2 Messages
9 years ago
I called AT&T again today and was told that AT&T owns the wireless router, that I am only leasing it, that it must be returned to AT&T when I cancel my Uverse service, and there is no other alternative. This reminds me of the OLD AT&T that made us lease their telephones, and would not allow us to connect an aftermarket telephone to our home landline. Does anyone else remember those (bad old) days? It appears AT&T is being heavy-handed again. They didn't learn their lesson the first time around.
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JefferMC
ACE - Expert
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35.1K Messages
9 years ago
The difference between the change where they had to let you buy CPE (which changed in the 1970's if I remember correctly) and now is that now you can tell AT&T to kiss off and chose someone else (including a Mobile provider) if you don't like the way they do business.
Back then (if you were in their service area), you could only get your phone service from AT&T and not allowing you to use your own CPE was considered abuse of monopoly power. Since there is competition, no monopoly power. If you don't like AT&T's business model, choose another.
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tricorn
Teacher
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19 Messages
8 years ago
Right. there's so much local competition for Internet service now.
Do they really expect me to upgrade my service ever (for a $5 discount for 6 months) when it's going to cost me $99 for a tech install (why? no one knows, no one understands, but the computer says so so it must be true) AND they're going to start charging me $7/month for the new RG I don't need.
If the current RG breaks, I'm dropping one VOIP line, switching the other one back to POTS, and gritting my teeth and switching to Cable for Internet access, until our local fiber network (publicly owned) is extended to our neighborhood. Then I never want to see AT&T or Comcast ever again. I'm currently paying $106/month for 2 VOIP lines and a 12Mbps Internet connection, and they want to add on another $7? Take a hike.
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ditchcity
Contributor
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1 Message
8 years ago
I agree with everything you said...but in Florida there is really no competition which is why they get away with their antics. I thought I was getting the $30 deal as advertised which turns out to be 78 and on top of that they collect it all up front because you have to pay a month in advance...at what point in time does a government entity step in and fine ATT for these kinds of false advertising and antics....by the way you are not told any of this until you get an almot immediate bill...I will switch to anybody but comcast because they are even worse...it is enough to make you leave Florida because other states do not allow these kinds of "illegal" practices. linda
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BMSL99
Contributor
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2 Messages
8 years ago
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