If you’ve recently subscribed to a new Internet service, you might be thinking about buying or renting the equipment.
You’ll get a free modem if you choose reliable Internet services like
Spectrum internet san diego for your home. However, you might also consider buying the equipment to enjoy more control.
In this guide, you’ll know about all the pros and cons of buying or renting the equipment. After that, you’ll be able to make a decision easily. Read on to know more about this.
Do You Need Both Modem and Router?
Before considering whether to buy to rent, you should know if you need both the pieces of equipment. If you want to use the Internet on your laptop only, then you can just connect your device with the modem. You won’t need a router in this case.
However, if you want to surf the web on multiple devices, then you should opt for the wireless option. In this case, you will need to buy both the modem and the router.
Benefits of Buying
Several Internet subscribers want to buy their own equipment. This is because opting for a gateway helps them in reducing the costs. Here are all the benefits of buying the Internet equipment discussed in detail:
More Freedom in Terms of Settings
Buying your equipment gives you greater control over the settings. This is because if you rent the equipment, then the ISP controls the settings. However, by buying the equipment, you can easily install upgrades and enjoy other features like selective bandwidth for various devices.
Lower Costs
You also won’t have to pay a hefty sum. If you buy the equipment, then your yearly Internet costs will get reduced. You also won’t have to pay the heavy installation charges. In this way, you’ll be able to stay on budget easily.
One-Time Fees
To buy the equipment, you’ll just have to pay one-time fees. After paying these fees, there’ll be no additional costs. In this way, you won’t have to worry about paying an extra charge every month for the equipment.
Freedom in Terms of Changing ISP
If you have your own equipment, you can easily switch between providers. You just have to make sure that you don’t sign any long-term contracts with your ISP. In this way, if the equipment is compatible with various Internet providers’ services, you can make the most of it easily.
Disadvantages of Buying
But buying the equipment has its own disadvantages. Here are all of them discussed in detail:
Repair Is Costly
After the warranty period is over, you’ll have to bear full repair charges. If there are serious issues with your equipment, this can be a very costly option.
No Customer Service
If you face a problem with your equipment, you’ll have no choice but to turn to the Internet. After the warranty period is over, the equipment provider will not entertain you.
Difficulty in Installation
If you are not tech-savvy, you’ll face a lot of difficulty in installing the equipment. If you would opt for pro-installation, it will cost you a lot.
One-Time High Cost
If you don’t have enough funds, buying the equipment can be quite costly. In this scenario, renting the equipment is a better choice for you.
Benefits of Renting
Now that the pros and cons of buying have been discussed, it is time to discuss the benefits of renting. Some of the most celebrated ones are:
Free Customer Service
If you rent the equipment, you’ll get free customer support. If you face any difficulty at any time, you’ll be able to seek customer support easily. You can also get any issue fixed without paying any kind of additional charges.
Easy Installation
Several ISPs install the equipment for free. So, in that case, you won’t have to pay a single penny. Even if they charge additional fees, the fees are usually quite lower than the normal professional installation charges. So, the installation is quite easy if you choose to rent the equipment.
Easy Renewal
If your equipment is outdated, your ISP will replace it immediately. You won’t have to put an effort to upgrade or repair your equipment. So, in this way, you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Automatic Software Upgrades
If you choose the renting option, the ISP will take care of the upgrades for you. You won’t have to think about installing upgrades now and then.
Disadvantages of Renting
Here are some of the glaring cons of renting your equipment:
Costly Option
Even if you pay a monthly price of $5 for renting the equipment, you’ll have to pay almost $60 every year. This can be a lot for most people. So, you should consider these things before opting for the rental option.
Device Is Not of High-Quality
Most of the devices provided by the ISPs are quite old-fashioned. You won’t be able to enjoy upgrades on this device. So, if you want to have several other features on your device, you should opt for the buying option instead.
Prices Might Increase
Because of the yearly inflation, the rental fees might also increase. The $5 you pay monthly might increase to $7. So, keep inflation in mind while choosing to rent.
The Final Verdict
Both renting and buying have their own pros and cons. If you want to enjoy a diverse range of features without worrying about the costs, you should opt for buying. But if you want to stay on budget and enjoy customer support, then renting is the better choice for you.
