3 generations of ADSL modems

Posted on August 29, 2007
Filed Under Technology |

ADSL modems

The above image shows 3 generations of ADSL modems that I have used during the last 8 years. The oldest modem is the one on the right and the newest modem that I currently use is the one on the left. The latter is only 2 weeks old since my ADSL provider decided once more to upgrade the device for all customers.

The very first ADSL modem that I used is the 3Com HomeConnect modem made in the USA. I first subscribed for ADSL service in 1999 and I recall that I had to pay for the modem. The cost was about $200 and the service provider gave me a few months of service free, in effect making the modem free. The good news is that I actually own this modem. I used the 3Com modem until 2 weeks ago when I finally decided to upgraded to the latest device that my provider sent me free of charge.

I received the second modem in 2003. It is a D-Link DSL 300G, Generation II modem made in Taiwan; no more made in the USA. In all honesty, I never bothered to upgrade from the 3Com modem that continued to work without problems regardless of my service provider who warned me about possibly slower service and outages. In fact, the D-Link modem is new and totally unused. But I don’t really own it since my service provider sent it to me for free under the assumption that I will return it when I discontinue using their service; I wonder if many people bother to return their several years old modems that are worth less than $20; mine is till in its original box stored safely in my closet.

The last modem that I use today is the Thomson Speedtouch shown to the very left of the photo above. This one is made in the People’s Republic of China. Indeed, no more made in the USA just like all (or maybe I should say most) consumer electronic devices sold in North America today. Anyways, I was surprised to receive this modem in the mail 2 weeks ago. My service provider warned me that a week later only this modem would work with their service and I should upgrade immediately. Although I am certain my older and trusted modem would have continued to work just fine, I decided that it was time to upgrade to something newer. If anything else, the new modem is half the size of the old one. I don’t know if you noticed but the modems are getting smaller with every generation.

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