High Speed Internet (DSL) and Dial-Up

[#1]

I've been an unhappy verizon high speed internet customer for less than 4 months... just long enough for the lousy modem they supplied with (in exchange for a 1 year contract) to come out of warranty and break down. Now they want to sell me a new crap modem that will probably break down in another 4 months AND make me take a day off of work so that they can come out and install it. Anyone know of someplace to buy a cheap alternative that I can install myself?

[#2]

Ebay has several for about $25.  I have had a Verizon service tech suggest purchasing one without the Verizon software.  Any modem will work.  You are entitled to a free replacement from Verizon but you may need to return the defective unit.  Verizon should supply a return mailing label.

[#3]

I got my own router and I followed http://www.dslreports.com/faq/13600

As to why:

#1 They have a back door in their router(s).

#2 I do not trust Verizon in my router's control panel.

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It seems that Verizon is to big and they don't BLEEP care.