Grande Communications: can you use your own modem?
Yes — Grande Communications allows customer-owned modems and publishes its own approved-device list. It names devices including Motorola MT8733 and Motorola MG8725. Your device must meet at least DOCSIS 3.1. Buy from that list — anything off it may not activate. Every detail below is quoted from Grande Communications's own page, last checked 2026-08-25.
- Connection
- cable (coax) primarily, plus fiber-to-the-home in some areas — page states …
- Minimum standard
- DOCSIS3.1
- Verified
- 2026-08-25
- Your modemyou buy it, or you rent it
- Your ISP's networkthey decide what connects
- The internetthe part you actually want
Which modems does Grande Communications approve?
Grande Communications names these models on its own page. They are the exact make and model strings published there as of 2026-08-25 — a sample of the list, not necessarily all of it.
- Motorola MT8733 Find on Amazon →
- Motorola MG8725 Find on Amazon →
- Motorola MB8611 Find on Amazon →
- Arris G36 Find on Amazon →
- Arris S33 Find on Amazon →
- Netgear Nighthawk CM 3000 Find on Amazon →
Can I use my own modem with Grande Communications?
Yes, with a restriction: the device has to appear on Grande Communications's published approved list. In their words: but NOT on fiber. Page states under "BYOM restrictions": "You can't use your own modem if: You use Astound Digital Phone and don't have an EMTA. You live in an area with fiber-to-the-home or Ethernet-delivered internet—Astound equipment is required."
What DOCSIS version does Grande Communications require?
"Look for a modem that supports DOCSIS 3.1. It's the latest technology that helps your internet go faster. If your modem says DOCSIS 3.0, it won't be able to keep up with Astound's higher speeds."
Do Grande Communications's requirements change with my speed tier?
"For speeds above 1000 Mbps, we recommend a DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a 2.5GE port—this lets more speed flow through." And: "If you have the 5G x 1G tier, you'll need to use Astound's modem and eero Max 7—there's no retail modem available yet that supports this speed." Also: "Special areas: Fiber Network Upgrade Zones (currently the Lehigh Valley, PA) — If you live in a fiber network upgrade area, you'll need a Netgear Nighthawk CM3000 modem."
What does Grande Communications not allow?
"Note: The Motorola MB8600 has known issues connecting to Astound's network. Also, EURODOCSIS modems won't work in the U.S." Plus the BYOM restrictions: fiber-to-the-home / Ethernet-delivered areas (Astound equipment required), and Astound Digital Phone customers without an EMTA. Digital Phone note: "You can still use your own modem! But you'll need to keep an Astound EMTA device to use the phone service."
Two boxes
- Modemtalks to the ISP line
- Routermakes the Wi-Fi
One box — a “gateway”
- Modem + routerone unit does both jobs
Where does this information come from?
Every statement on this page is quoted from Grande Communications's own published pages:
- https://www.astound.com/support/internet/bring-your-own-modem/
- https://www.astound.com/internet/equipment/
- https://www.astound.com/support/internet/equipment-return/
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