ARRIS Touchstone TM1602A DOCSIS 3.0 Upgradeable 16x4 Telephony Modem for TWC & Optimum (Renewed)

I finally got around to buying this so I no longer have to rent from Optimum, and I'm glad I did. This is fully compatible with Optimum's cable internet up to a 960Mbit connection. As you can see in the photo I'm only subscribed for a 300Mbit-down/20Mbit-up connection and I'm getting that and a bit more. If it wasn't listed as a refurbished item, and didn't come in an unlabeled brown box, you'd think it was brand new; No blemishes, dirt, or damage that I could discern. Pros: Cost - Will pay for itself after only 4 months. Performance - Theoretical maximum downstream speed of 960Mbits and 192Mbits upstream. Bundled in package - 6ft/1.8m coax and ethernet cables included. Cons: None yet. If the device fails at any point I'll edit this review, but these modems are pretty simple and have fairly long expected lifespans. Summary: If you're considering it, I recommend it. You'll save money each month by not renting from your ISP. The model I received has 24 downstream channels, not 16 as the description states - a nice surprise. (See photos). Note that this model does not have a backup battery compartment like some of the older Arris models such as the TM822. Additional notes: When you call your ISP to activate the MAC address on your new modem, be sure to give the tech the CMAC address (sometimes referred to as HFCMAC) - The C is for CABLE and that is how the device is provisioned on the ISP end. The MTAMAC address is for telephony, and the tech should be able to identify that after provisioning the CMAC first. (If you don't have a VoIP line with your ISP, this is unnecessary).

Worked for Optimum/Altice, however, only way to register the modem is to call optimum. Self registration online only works for their modem. You'll need to provide them the CMAC# on the label under the modem. After they registered the modem, it took several reboots to come online. Otherwise straight forward swap out. There is no documentation telling you that you must call to register the 3rd party modem. Bought refurbished unit but a month in so far so good. It was cheap enough that I decided to purchase a 2nd as a backup in case this one fails; WFH some days so I can't be out for any length of time.

The ARRIS Touchstone TM1602A has been a worthy addition to our home. Straight off the bat, by purchasing this modem, we've managed to cut down our monthly expenses, saving over $11 a month on Optimum's rental costs. It's always a win when you can acquire equipment that pays for itself over time! Performance-wise, the TM1602A delivers reliably. We've experienced consistent internet connectivity with minimal disruptions, which, given today’s digital demands, is absolutely crucial. The setup was straightforward, and the device has so far proven durable. We will still have to call Optimum tech support to complete setup. However, the world of modems offers a spectrum of advanced options, and while the TM1602A functions admirably, it wouldn't be hailed as the absolute best in the broader market. My main gripe, which leads to the deduction of one star, is the limited flexibility with Optimum. While I understand the constraints of needing a modem with phone line compatibility, it's slightly disappointing that this is the only model Optimum permits for such a setup. Nonetheless, for anyone bound by the same constraints and looking to save on rental costs, the ARRIS Touchstone TM1602A is a commendable choice. If you have a large house, pair this with Eero 6, and you will have the best Wi-Fi speeds and connections you can get!

5 stars for this product and 1 star for me for renting this stupid thing for 10yrs from optimum. This is the fastest compatible modem offered, identical to my rental, and was a snap to install using the optimum install web page. Good instructions, done completely on line in 10-15 minutes. The item is renewed so had some scratches, so we'll see how it lasts. Hopefully I won't be adding back to this review down the road.

Good price and was hoping the phone section would work but it did not. It was fine for the internet connection.Was on the phone for hours with Optimum,Morris county NJ and had the tech come to the house but they couldn't get it to work.Tried other tm 1602 modems and had the same issue.At this point I wasn't willing to try another one. All told I spent 8 hours plus trying to get one to work.This was my experience Maybe you'll have better luck.

I've been trying to get our cable bill down and wanted to buy our own modem for years, but was hesitant that it might not work. We do have two phone lines, and this was one of the few models that has phone ports. The model received was TM1602, which was the exact modem we've been leasing for $10 a month for many years. I plugged this modem in and made a quick call to Optimum, and was up and running within minutes. Everything works perfectly! Happy to be rid of the $10/month lease on our old modem. :-)

For whatever reason the phone part of this modem is not working and my ISP is unsure of whether it is the MODEM or them so are sending a technician in 2 days. I tried contacting Arris and this product is not retailed by Arris and they make it quite clear they provide NO support on their website. Now I do believe that should be included in the amazon description of the product and it is not, but when I called technical support they felt that the fault was probably Optimum's but to ensure that all goes smoothly are sending a second modem just in case the first does have an issue with telephone capability. I find that proactive attitude commendable. Very impressed. Thanks much

For some reason, my old modem stopped working with my Optimum cable, but the phone continued to work. After having an Optimum tech state that he couldn't find a problem, he recommended that we buy a new modem (they offer such for a monthly fee, but, I don't want to pay that). So, I bought this modem, which worked with the 'net, but not the phone! Again, Optimum was baffled. So, being pointless to have, I returned the modem.