NETGEAR Nighthawk Multi-Gig Cable Modem for Xfinity Voice (CM2050V) – for Cable Plans up to 2.5Gbps - DOCSIS 3.1-2 Phone Lines

Super easy setup with Xfinity. The Xfinity app did it all. All I had to do was connect it, turn it on and scan the label on the box in the app. Unboxing and the physical connections took longer than the network setup.

It took me a while to get it to actually get online and working with Xfinity and the network I have setup in my home. I needed to go online with my cellphone and go to the activate a new device page while just my computer and the new modem were networked together. Once it was activated I had to reboot the modem and it then went online and was networked into my computer and online. Then I had to get my wifi router passing the internet from the new modem which took some time. I reset the automatic DNS selection settings and that got everything working together so all my network devices got online. Since then everything has just worked including the phone lines and it's fast. It's a nice fast cable modem with telephone voice support, just be prepared for some work to get it setup and working properly if you have a complicated network with a lot of devices to work with.

This review documents a material misrepresentation and functional security defect involving a product sold and shipped by Amazon as Brand New. I purchased the NETGEAR Nighthawk Multi-Gig Cable Modem for Xfinity Voice (CM2050V) on October 21, 2025, paying full retail price ($299 + tax). The unit received was clearly used, improperly packaged, and security-compromised. Evidence of Prior Use (Not New Condition): Outer box was torn, unsealed, and forcibly opened Device surface had grease marks and fingerprints Power cable was loosely thrown into the box Missing required accessories: Installation documentation Ethernet cable Telephone cable All other items in the same shipment arrived factory-sealed and new, making this discrepancy unmistakable. Functional & Security Defect After installation and ISP MAC registration, the modem becomes operational; however, the administrative credentials cannot be reset: Factory reset procedures do not restore default credentials The default admin password (“password”) no longer applies Admin password cannot be changed or recovered This indicates one of the following: The device retains prior owner credentials, or The reset mechanism is non-functional Both conditions render the modem defective and insecure. A consumer networking gateway that does not allow credential control is not fit for purpose and presents a security risk. As a Network Infrastructure Engineer, I can state unequivocally that a modem in this condition fails basic security and usability requirements. Return Window Impact: This modem was shipped directly to Texas for an elderly family member. Due to an unforeseen family death, I was unable to install the device until November 26, 2025, at which point the return window (November 22) had expired. The defects were discovered immediately upon first installation. Conclusion: This is not a matter of buyer error or preference. It is a case of: Used hardware sold as new Incomplete contents Security-related functional defect At this price point, and for a foundational network device, this is unacceptable. Amazon must ensure that items sold as “New” meet minimum packaging, reset, and security integrity standards. I will follow-up this review with a formal Executive Escalation letter to request escalation regarding this defective and misrepresented product sold and shipped by Amazon as Brand New.

Title: Great Modem Choice Description: This meets my needs as a retired person who uses computers and internet technology to meet my every day needs for tracking finances, downloading medical testing results, spreadsheets, and graphs. Very easy to set up.

As a buyer, I'm uncomfortable seeing the name of a competing internet service provider on the actual tech product I'm considering. Looks like a thing that will only work with Company X. But I did a LOT more (time-consuming) research to be sure the Netgear Nighthawk CM2050v would be the modem to grow into, even if I discontinue my RCN phone/internet service and want to keep my landline and fax phone line with another ISP. It wasn't plug-and-play, as one of the video reviews would suggest. I'm not sure how that person plugged it in and had it interface with her ISP and router with no phonecall to her ISP. There's a MAC number on the unit that needs to be reported to your service provider in order to get it running. (Maybe if you're with Company X, you don't need to call it in?) Alas, the phone agent at my ISP ultimately bailed and scheduled me for an in-home appointment. After a lot of household disruption, this cable modem works as well as to be expected within the bounds of what I pay for at RCN. There was an initial internet outage that lasted an entire overnight (which isn't usually our experience, which is defined by frequent but brief interruptions). So I got nervous when already I was having to recycle the power on this thing and start over. But as some of the other reviews indicated, that might happen at the outset, then after that, smooth sailing. I'm disappointed that I still have to rent a separate RCN modem just for the landline phone and fax machine. But I'm so pleased there are companies still providing landline service so I can keep these amenities in my home office. I can also send a fax digitally, sure, but it's such a convenience to send/receive faxes out of the same box that makes copies, scans, and color print jobs, so why not keep my fax line, too? Company X does warn on their product that though there are two phone lines indicated, you'd need to paying for a 2-line package in order to use both. At this point, those lights remain dark because I'm not using them. Glad I got this for the same price as a no-phone Nighthawk unit of the same caliber thanks to a sale at the time of purchase.