Arris TM1602 Review – Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

A good modem is absolutely necessary if you want a fast and stable internet connection. That is because the modem transmits your digital traffic to your internet connection.

So in our quest to find the perfect router, we are reviewing the Arris TM1602. Arris is a well-known company when it comes to telecommunications equipment. Their products are known to be great inside out with the latest technology and excellent design.

So without further ado, let’s find out if the Arris TM1602 lives up to all these expectations and upholds the good name of the company.

Arris TM1602

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PROS

Cost Efficient - Investing in the Arris TM1602 will save you more than just a few bucks. Renting may seem like a feasible option; however, in the long run, it always costs more. Apart from that, internet service providers tend to increase renting rates every now and then. Buying a modem of your own is a one-time investment, and you do not have to worry about paying rent every month. The TM1602 also provides you better quality than the device provided by your service provider. So, all in all, just buying the device is a win-win situation.
Design - The design of the product is also nice. The black color makes it look sleek. The device itself is compact and does not take up much space. It is not very bulky, either. This means it can fit into your setup very well. Apart from that, it is lightweight, but it is also durable.
Compatible With Mainstream Internet Service Providers -Another great quality of the Arris TM1602 is that it is compatible with all the mainstream internet service providers. Your equipment should be compatible with your service provider; otherwise, it will not work. That can cause a lot of trouble because you would then have to either get a new modem, or you would have to change your service provider, both of which can be very troublesome. However, you will not have to worry about that with this product as it works with most service providers. But do check before you decide to invest in it, just to be on the safe side
Simple Setup - The setup of this device is not very complicated. In fact, the chances are that you will not even have to spend any money on the installation cost. You can just do it by yourself! It will hardly take more than 10 minutes to finish. You will need an alternative internet connection if you want to self-install the modem. Connect your device and turn it on. Then you will have to access the website of your service provider and open the self-install page. It will ask for details like name and cable account information. Lastly, you will have to enter the MAC, CMAC, and MTA number, and you will be all set. The entire process can be done over the phone as well.

CONS

Does Not Come With Instructions - Although the setup process is fairly easy and does not include a lot of complicated steps, it would be better if the box of the device had instructions on it. It would make the entire process easier and less confusing than it already is. If you are not familiar with the setup process, you can look it up on the internet or watch a few videos about it. If it is still unclear, you can always call customer support and get help from there as well.
Firewall is Not Equipped - Unfortunately, this device does not come equipped with a firewall. A firewall is very important when it comes to the security of your modem and your connection as well. A firewall can control all the incoming and outgoing data, and it can protect your connection from malicious viruses and hackers. It makes sure your confidential data is safe from prying eyes. You can, however, set up a firewall after you set up the modem, although it would take some time.

Main Features

The Arris TM1602 has a collection of some very interesting features, which makes it a very attractive choice for customers. Let’s take a look at what these features are.

24x8 Bonded Channels

Bonded channels increase the transmission of data by spreading it over two or more lines. The Arris TM1602 features 24x8 bonded channels. This means that it has designated 24 channels just for downloading purposes, and 8 channels are kept open for uploading. This works much better than the previous models that had 16x4 bonded channels. With 24x8 bonded channels, your modem will be able to support internet plans ranging from 100Mbps to 300 Mbps. This means that your connection will face no hiccups and will work faster than ever.

Two Lines of VoIP

Voice over IP is the modern way to place your calls. Instead of using a specific phone line, it uses the internet to connect your phone calls. Needless to say, it is more efficient and provides a wider range than your standard phone line. The Arris TM1602 is equipped with two lines of VoIP. This gives you more options. If you want, you can use one line for personal and the other for business use. You could also keep both lines for business, as well. In any case, it grants you more connectivity, and you will not separately have to worry about phone lines. In addition to that, it is cost-efficient when compared to the traditional phone system.

Dual-Stack IPv4/IPv6

This modem supports dual-stack IPv4/IPv6. Although IPv6 is the newer version of internet protocol, it is not the only internet protocol being used. We still have some time before that can happen. In the meantime, we need something that can provide us access to both IPv4 and IPv6 content. The TM1602 does just that. It is equipped with dual-stack that allows every server, networking device, etc., under your internet service provider’s network to be configured to both the internet protocols. So you do not have to be worried about any sort of connection problem related to IP address conversion.

What is the Arris TM1602 Best For?

Now that we know all the details of the device, let’s find out what the target audience is for this product.

Heavy Duty Programs

The specifications of this modem allow it to work with higher-tiered internet plans, which means it can easily be used to run heavy-duty programs without a hitch. This would also be an ideal modem for people who have a lot of work that involves downloading and uploading material.

Gaming and Streaming

Both gaming and streaming can be very heavy. Often, people complain that the connection is the reason they are not able to enjoy their experiences to the fullest. For enjoying activities like these, you need a stable connection, and Arris TM1602 provides its users with just that.

Small Business

Another great way to use the TM1602 is for running small businesses. The 24x8 bonded channel will make sure that the connection runs smoothly. Apart from that, the two VoIP lines can be utilized here as well. You can provide an extension for the office number or even use one for a fax. It will also work great for people with international clients as VoIP provides better connectivity and better voice quality as well.

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?

The following are just a few things you should keep in mind before purchasing this product.

Modem Only

This device is just a modem; it does not include a Wi-Fi router. There are some devices that offer both modem and router in one, but that is not the case for this device. If you opt for this device, you will have to purchase the router separately. Generally, buying routers and modems separately gives you more options than buying a combo. You can choose to upgrade your network for better performance if you purchase a modem separately.

Make Sure Your Product is Official

It is important to make sure that the product you are buying is official. The reason for that is that if you end up buying a product that is unofficial or stolen, then you are likely to get a faulty product. It will not work as well as an official product, and the company warranty product will also not apply. It is very possible the device may stop working altogether.

Bottom Line

It is safe to say that the Arris TM1602 lives up to the Arris standard. It has all the features that make it dependable. It is also less expensive in the long run and has better quality than the equipment rented out by service providers. It can work well with high-tier internet plans. So, it can be used for various purposes, for example, business, gaming, streaming, etc. All in all, it is a great modem that provides its users with a lot of options and can prove to be a good investment.