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Comcast Plans Cable Boxes with Integrated Wi-Fi and Snooping

Posted by michael on from the all-in-one dept.

Kaa writes "Short version: Comcast's cable modem/802.11g base station that is made by Linksys has capabilities to 'phone home' to Comcast and tell them how many devices are connected to your WiFi base station, how much bandwidth they are using, etc. It also has the capability to 'disable LAN segments' which, I assume, means they can kick your devices off your home network if they choose to do so. Something tells me this particular device won't make it into my house..."

6 of 427 comments (clear)

  1. This is a product for the lusers... by LostCluster · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Sure, the /. user won't want this in their house...

    But the user who is too dumb to configure WiFi without Comcast's help needs this. This technology could let Comcast's techs lock down any access point who's not running WEP, and see to it that all the devices the customer has are taking their DHCP assignments properly. Of course, anybody reading this will know how to do these administrative tasks on their own, but those who are clueless can have trust Comcast configure their router and firewall to optimal settings.

    If this cuts down the number of worm-vunerable computers on the Internet by letting those who don't know what they're doing hand the controls over to Comcast, I won't complain.

    1. Re:This is a product for the lusers... by the_mad_poster · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I can't use just any old modem I want for Adelphia. It has to provide certain *ahem* "features" that let them do some level of snooping. Of course, this is all in the name of helping me troubleshoot my connection.... yea.. sure... depsite the fact that they've never successfully found a problem remotely...

      They can't make you use any specific modem, but they CAN mandate that your modem must have certain "features" and "standards" under the guise of helping you out. Then, they can push that this tech gets standardized and start requiring it for new connections.

      Never underestimate the power of a monopoly to get it's way when it comes to raping consumers.

      --
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    2. Re:This is a product for the lusers... by DrEldarion · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I wouldn't let comcast, of all people, to administer my computers. Nor would anyone else want to, no matter how technically-alternatively-enabled..

      I'm sure you'd be surprised how many "technically-alternatively-enabled" people would jump at the chance to have Comcast administer their computers.

      I'm not saying that it would be in their best interests, but if you're clueless about computers, a well-known company offering to take care of everything for you is something you'd squeal in glee about.

      In fact, I'd imagine that a significant portion of computer-illiterates would give FULL control of their computer to any well-known company (say, MS) if the company put enough marketing spin on it ("Imagine having all your computer problems fixed with one call! We'll even do it all for you, you just sit back and relax!")

  2. I'm out. by Schezar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm done with consumer/residential broadband. Blocked ports, slow connections, poor customer service, arbitrary limitations on use... It's just not worth it anymore. I've dealt with dead lines and clueless techs for too long.

    Instead, I'm springing for commercial/business class service. The support is better, the speeds are higher, and the service is usually excellent (since businesses won't put up with the same garbage residential users will).

    Consider this: a cable modem usually costs about $40-$50 a month for residential service including a single IP address and bandwidth caps. I can get 1536k x 256k commercial DSL for about $80 a month that includes web hosting, DNS, and 5 IP addresses. The extra $40 is not much, and you can offset that by selling access to your neighbor if you're so inclined (perfectly ok with most providers).

    The above costs about as much as most people pay for a cable modem and cable TV, and quite frankly, I've found that lots of bandwidth is far more entertaining than lots of TV stations.

    I'd list some companies that offer comparable service plans, but I don't want to look like an astroturfer. Hit Google and you'll find lots of nice options (as long as you live somewhere civilized ^_~)

    --
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    1. Re:I'm out. by Minwee · · Score: 5, Interesting
      "I'm so angry at my ISP that I'm going to give them even more money so maybe they will provide the kind of service I was supposed to be getting in the first place."

      I think you're their kind of customer. How much more will you cough up when they start screwing with your "business class" service?

  3. Re:Huh? by ciroknight · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Well in theory this technology could be good if they only charged you for the bandwidth you actually pulled through your modem, but they could do this without their level of snooping.

    My guess is that they just want more control over your modems, making sure that there's no way you can modify the bandwidth you use (uncapping), automatically updating firmware ([[could be good: block certain ports during a virus emergency]]), etc etc etc... but the fact still remains: they could do all of this from their side of the network.

    So really, you have to question what they're going to do with this..

    --
    "Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." G.W.Bush