New data suggests that renting internet equipment from your Online service provider can provide less experience online than buying your own router.
Study by OpensignalConducted between January and March 2025, it suggests that internet users rent out internet providers experience better network security and consistency than those who own their equipment.
The main reason for that discrepancy? Network diagnostics.
Internet providers often include applications, customer care teams or management services to facilitate the diagnosis of network health. While You can certainly perform those diagnostics independentlyOpendat notes that this customer care goes a long way in maintaining safe home networks, keeping customers satisfied and keeping them from them Switching to ISPs along the way.
Plus, many ISPs rent high performance routers with the latest Wi-Fi technology. Border fiberFor example, lease of three-band Ero Wi-Fi 7 Router for some of his fiber plans. That top router is designed to reduce network latency and support multiple range width devices.
Opensignal used two metrics to assess customer experience with their internet service: reliability and consistency.
Oppensal study It reveals that users who rent internet equipment have reported a total greater security and consistency with domestic Wi-Fi networks than users who have owned equipment.
Metrics for certainty is the ability of the network to balance multiple devices that share the width of the range at once (the heavier the width of the range, the better), without noticeable lags, interruptions or parties. Consistency metric estimates the continuous ability of the network to do well during daily tasks.
Also worth noting that cable or DSL Internet users usually buy their own equipment to save costs, probably because DSL and cable ISPs usually do not include free equipment.
On the other hand, Fiber Internet users often rent equipment from their service providers because they are often included at no extra cost. The Safe on the Internet with fibers It can contribute to a better overall experience, in this case. (Note: Opensignal study focused entirely on wired internet services. Fixed wireless services, as you would get them from A. 5g or satellite ISPA provider, not included.)
To know whether to buy or rent your router is situational and usually comes down to your budget, How much speed on the Internet you really need and What options you have.
While I often encourage people to buy their own routers to save money on their internet account, you only need to invest in that equipment when it makes sense to do so.
For example, A broadband writer and expert for router OEO SUPAN He rented his XFINITY router for six years, reaching nearly $ 1,000 at the top of his monthly account. After investing in his own router, he noticed increased speeds and security and savings on his monthly internet account.
On the other hand, if you can use internet equipment free from your ISP, you will save money and headache to handle your internet equipment. I have a free portal device from AT&TAnd it saves me a lot of trouble: When I experience (rarely) interruption or slowing down, the AT&T application is easily changed and fixes the problem of minimal impact or interruption of my day.
To that end, it was not a surprise to me that AT&T got the highest rating of customer satisfaction in the “Opendiginal” study – often in the first place in the first place Customer Satisfaction Surveys.
However, if you are able to invest in your own, high quality router and you do not mind striving for the health of your home network independently, you will save money by not renting equipment and learning some invaluable skills to Solving Wi-Fi Problems In the process.