Back Story:
I use Spectrum Cable with a 300 Mbps download plan for my Internet. It is the fastest I can get in my area, and for the last couple of years, it has worked flawlessly. Recently, that wonderful euphoric digital state ended rather abruptly. My network would not stay connected. It went from “bad” (disconnecting from the Internet a half dozen times or so a day) to “horrible” (disconnecting over 30 times in one afternoon). After each disconnect, my Ubee modem/router combo would restart, then my hardware firewall would restart, then some or all of my iOT’s wold fail to reconnect to the wifi portion of the router (and then be nudged by me manually to get them back on the network, or to my wifi extender). Also, I have VOIP, so my phones went down every time there was an internet disconnect, only to return online after the routers, modem, and hardware firewall came back to life.
I will say that Spectrum did a good job in resolving the connection issue (that turned out to be a bad cable connector located on a telephone pole behind my property). They started with the most obvious problematic source, replacing my old Ubee combo router/modem, with a new and separate router and modem. When the installer connected these two components, I noticed the new router and modem were simply branded “Spectrum”. After the components were installed, I got into the router and configured it. It had a lot of the “right” configuration options, and I felt fairly comfortable that it was at least an “OK” router. For the modem, there was no access point, and I really could not tell anything about it. I decided to leave well enough alone and let both the components be for awhile.
After several months past, though everything on my network again returned to the aforementioned euphoric digital state, I could not get a comfortable feeling about the modem. I decided to do some digging. I found a model number on its back (E31T2V1). I could not find much on the Internet, and that is because there isn’t much. That being said, there might be enough to get a feel about what the Spectrum E31T2V1 cable modem is all about. What follows is a summary of what I found.
Four Brands For One Modem: E31_2V1
In order to get the specs for the modem, I needed to figure out who actually made the thing. The Spectrum E31T2V1 cable modem seems to have been made by Hitron (the linage is still a little vague). Under the Hitron label, its model number is E31N2V1. Ubee has also labeled this modem as a E31U2V1. Then, Techicolor also sells this modem, with a model number of E31T2V1, – the very same model number as the Spectrum branded modem.
So basically, we have Hitron making a modem that Spectrum, Hitron, Ubee, and Technicolor all sell and/or distribute, and it is the very same modem, right? Well………, maybe. It seems some, if not all of the Hitron and Ubee modems have the dreaded and maligned Intel Puma 6 or 7 chipsets. The E31T2V1 versions of Spectrum and Technicolor use the more favored Broadcom chipsets. Beyond this point, I have not been able to distinguish any differences between the various vendors and model numbers.
Specs
All the E31_2V1 cable modems have DOCSIS 3.1 and are backward compatible to DOCSIS 3.0. For most of you knowing this will not increase your heart rate one beat. This may change when you find out what DOCSIS 3.1 is:
DOCSIS is a technology developed by CableLabs for transfer of data over coaxial cable that are developed and used for cable TV connection. Cable Operators across the world have adopted DOCSIS standards for providing Internet data, voice, and video services using existing cable TV systems(1).
So why would you want DOCSIS 3.1 over DOCSIS 3.0? For starters:
DOCSIS 3.1 has a maximum downstream speed of 10 Gbps (3.0 is 1 Gbps). DOCSIS 3.1 has a maximum upstream speed of 1 Gbps (3.0 is 200 Mbps). DOCSIS 3.1 features significantly higher speeds than DOCSIS 3.0. DOCSIS 3.1 also uses data spectrums more efficiently, increasing the amount of data that can be sent over your network(2)
In summary, DOCSIS 3.1 is a good thing. A good thing where up until recently it was only found in the “expensive” cable modems. DOCSIS 3.1 is found in all the E31_2V1 models of this modem.
To get all the specs on the E31_2V1, click HERE (Spoiler Alert: They are impressive)
How Good Is The E31_2V1?
My modem is an E31T2V1, with the Broadcom chipset. I was nearly ready to shelve this modem and go after an Arris Surfboard. After finding more about the modem’s specs, I am glad I didn’t. I have a 300 Mbps download plan, and am consistently getting speeds in the 340–350 Mbps range. Also, the E31T2V1 has not had any problems. It has been reliable.
This modem with many names and model numbers has earned its place inmy network.
Sources
(1) What is DOCSIS 3.1 and why should I use DOCSIS 3.1 technology? | https://kb.netgear.com/000038891/What–is–DOCSIS–3–1–and–why–should–I–use–DOCSIS–3–1–technology
(2)ibid
