when charter cable up the rental fee to $ 7 a month it become silly not to buy we own modem . I buy this Motorola surfboard base on good review , and after 5 month of use it have prove very reliable , offer consistent , reasonably high speed without need to be re-plugged more than once . it be only drawback be a few design flaw . note : other have describe this modem as nearly identical to the Motorola surfboard sb6120 except more expensive and with a prettier but warmer-running case . normally this would steer I toward the older model but because some charter user experience firmware problem that turn they sb6120 into brick , I go with the newer model just to be safe . the price be still quite reasonable consider that after one year it will have pay for itself in rental fee . pro : so far we have speed equal to the modem we use to rent , and occasionally higher . it be easy to set up and only once have I have to unplug the modem to get internet working , although that may have be a problem with the router . it be important to note that unless you be pay big buck for super-high speed you may not be get d3 rate anyway . but unless you be strap for cash or certain that you will never , ever upgrade , it be not a bad idea to have the option and plan for the future . con : the sb6121 be sometimes warm to the touch . I would not describe it as hot . however , we have it free standing -lrb- not stack beneath something else -rrb- and in the cool basement , so it be not a problem . the illuminate led icon be easy to see but the icon themselves be somewhat obscure . it be useful to know that the top icon actually change color depend on the speed of you connection -lrb- which will also depend upon the computer its connect to -rrb- so if you get a amber light , do not assume the modem be not work . there be no reset button on the modem , as some version of this model seem to advertise . this be not a huge drawback for I . Bottom Line : for steady speed equal to what we be rent , a reasonable price in the long run , ease of setup , and long period of internet without interruption , I give this modem 4 star . for the minor flaw of chare more for a new case that run on the warm side and be needlessly cryptic with its cute icon I take off one star .