Business Customers: If you are a business customer, please reference our approved business modems page HERE.

GigaOne Customers: GigaONE service requires the use of an approved GigaONE modem.

Sparklight strives to produce a high level of reliability, stability, and security for our high-speed Internet subscribers. As such, we continually evaluate cable modems on our network for compatibility and performance.

Sparklight requires customers to use a DOCSIS 3.1 or higher Cable Modem. These modems incorporate the latest cable technology, can deliver faster Internet speeds, and have a longer expected lifetime. Sparklight no longer supports the addition of modems with DOCSIS 2.0 technology.

The following is an up-to-date list of cable modems that have been certified to work on the Sparklight high-speed Internet network. If you wish to purchase your own modem, we strongly recommend purchasing a DOCSIS 3.1 modem to ensure you receive the fastest speeds and maximum connectivity on our network.

Note: WiFi ONE service requires the use of a leased modem through Sparklight. Customers will not be able to use their own modem with WiFi ONE service.

Sparklight Recommended Modems 

Brand	Model	Channels	802.11 Wifi compatibility
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG8300	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	CM8200	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	None
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SB8200	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	None
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG7600AC2	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Arris	S33	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	None
Motorola	MB8600	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	None
Netgear	CM1000	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	None
Netgear	CM1100	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	None
Netgear	CM1200	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	None
Netgear	Nighthawk C7800	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Netgear	CBR750	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	2.4 GHz AX + 5 GHz AX
Netgear	CAX80	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	2.4 GHz AX + 5 GHz AX
Netgear	CAX30	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	2.4 GHz AX + 5 GHz AX
Netgear	CM2000	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	None
Arris	DG3450	DOCSIS 3.1; 32x8	2.4 GHz AC + 5 GHz AC

The following modems have been approved to work on our network. However, they are not recommended as they utilize older DOCSIS technology. Purchasing one of these modems may result in slower internet speeds, limited connectivity, and the need to purchase a newer modem sooner.

Other Supported Modem

Compatible for plans with speeds up to 1000 Mbps

Brand	Model	Channels	802.11 Wifi compatibility
Arris	DG3270	DOCSIS 3.0; 32x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SB6190	DOCSIS 3.0; 32x8	None
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG7580-AC	DOCSIS 3.0; 32x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Hitron	CGNVM-3582	DOCSIS 3.0; 32x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Netgear	CM700	DOCSIS 3.0; 32x8	None
Netgear	Orbi CBR40	DOCSIS 3.0; 32x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC

 

Compatible for plan with Speeds up to 600 Mbps

Brand	Model	Channels	802.11 Wifi compatibility
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG7400AC2	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Motorola	MG7700	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Hitron	CGNM-2252	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Netgear	CM600	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	None
Netgear	Nighthawk C7000	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Netgear	Nighthawk C6900	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Netgear	Nighthawk C7500	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Netgear	Nighthawk C7000v2	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Linksys	CM3024	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	None
Linksys	CG7500	DOCSIS 3.0; 24x8	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC

 

Compatible for plan with Speeds up to 300 Mbps

Brand	Model	Channels	802.11 Wifi compatibility
Arris	DG1670	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz N
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SB6183	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	None
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG6900-AC	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG6950AC2	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG10	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Motorola	MB7420	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	None
Motorola	MB7621	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	None
Motorola	MG7550	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Motorola	MG7540	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Netgear	CM500	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	None
Netgear	C6300	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Netgear	C6250	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
TP-Link	TC-7620	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	None
TP-Link	Archer CR700	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Linksys	CM3016	DOCSIS 3.0; 16x4	None

 

Compatible for plan with Speeds up to 150 Mbps

Brand	Model	Channels	802.11 Wifi compatibility
Arris	CM820	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Arris	DG860	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Arris	DG950	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SB6141	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SB6180	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SB6182	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG6400	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG6700-AC	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG6782-AC	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz AC
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG6580	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	Switchable 2.4 GHz N or 5 GHz N
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SBG6580-2	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	Switchable 2.4 GHz N or 5 GHz N
Motorola	MB7220	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Motorola	MG7315	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Motorola	MG7310	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Netgear	CM400	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Netgear	C6220	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz N
Netgear	N450/CG3000Dv2	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Netgear	C3000	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Netgear	C3700	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N + 5 GHz N
TP-Link	TC-7610	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
TP-Link	TC-W7960	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Zoom	5341J	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Zoom	5345	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Zoom	5350	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Zoom	5352	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N

 

Compatible for plan with Speeds up to 50 Mbps

Brand	Model	Channels	802.11 Wifi compatibility
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SB6120	DOCSIS 3.0; 4x4	None
Arris | Motorola SURFboard	SB6121	DOCSIS 3.0; 4x4	None
Zoom	5341	DOCSIS 3.0; 4x4	None

 

Telephone and Internet Modems (eMTA)

Note: Sparklight Phone Service is supported on Sparklight leased Arris and Hitron cable modems only (eMTA)

Brand	Model	Channels	802.11 Wifi compatibility
Arris	TM802G	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Arris	TM822G	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	None
Arris	TG852G	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N
Arris	TG862G	DOCSIS 3.0; 8x4	2.4 GHz N

 

What does "End of Life" mean for my modem?

A cable modem that is specified as "End of Life" was once a recommended Sparklight cable modem. Due to the discontinued production, manufacturer support changes, or other technical issues, these cable modems are no longer recommended or allowed to be registered on our network. At present, active accounts that use these modems will continue to operate normally on our network and are permitted. However, if the account is disconnected and the modem has become unregistered from the account, you will need to upgrade to one of our approved modems listed above. Currently, no dates have been specified to fully retire the DOCSIS 2.0 modems from our network.

If you lease a modem from Sparklight, you don't need to do anything at this time. You will be contacted by a representative from our local Sparklight office soon. Until then, please continue to enjoy your high-speed Internet access provided by Sparklight!

If you have purchased your own modem, we suggest that you replace the cable modem with an approved Sparklight modem in the near future to avoid any service disruption or connectivity issues. 

Can I purchase my own modem?

If you choose to purchase a modem, Sparklight recommends you purchase a new modem with DOCSIS 3.1 capability from a reputable source, and select one that is listed on our approved modems list above. Although a DOCSIS 3.0 modem will currently work on our network, it does not use the latest technology, which can affect your connectivity and internet speeds. Should you wish to purchase a modem that is not on our approved modems list, please contact our team prior to making your purchase to verify compatibility.  Second-hand modems may not work properly on Sparklight's network even if listed above. Sparklight reserves the right to refuse service to any modem or modem model that might impair network performance. See the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for details.

Why can’t I purchase a secondhand modem or use a modem that was given to me?

Second-hand modems may not work properly on Sparklight's network for a number of reasons. This is why we do not recommend purchasing or using a secondhand modem. The following is a list of possible reasons why the secondhand modem may not work properly:

• The modem is using older DOCSIS technology that no longer works with our network.
• The modem may be broken or nonoperational. There is no way to test this until after you purchase the modem and have tried to activate it. Just because the light comes on when you plug the modem in does not mean it is fully operational.
• There may be a defect in the equipment that can only be identified when the modem is online and configured.
• The modem may be stolen or belong to another Internet Service Provider
• In most cases, you are unable to return a used modem if it does not work.
• The ports on the modem may not be operational.