Comcast Xfinity Internet and Arris TM722G Voice Modem DOCSIS 3.0 Self Install Unboxing

Below is my unboxing experience with the new Comcast Arris TM722G EMTA Internet Voice Modem. The Modem is DOCSIS 3.0 and supports Comcast's Triple Play service (TV, Internet and Voice). I'm not a big fan of paying a $7 per month rental fee in my area, so I purchased a modem from the Best Buy in Crystal Lake, Illinois for $149. I paid for the modem at Best Buy. It took the representative a couple minutes to set things up so I could check out at Best Buy.

You can get a list of all the locations at http://www.arrisi.com/consumer/_docs/ARRIS_Modems_Comcast_Xfinity_Best_Buy.pdf

Users Manual in pdf format
http://www.trebacz.com/Instruction%20Manuals/Arris_TM722_Instruction_Manual.pdf

Once at home the unboxing began.

Pretty box on the outside with all kinds of Comcast Xfinity branding.

List of the minimum requirements to install. You do need to have a working triple play service setup or an appointment to have the voice installed, if you don't already. It took the technician quite awhile to set up my voice lines (trips to the various phone and cable boxes) and verify it was working correctly.

Back of the Arris Touchstone TM722 Comcast modem box.

Open box with the modem underneath.

All the contents of the box, TM722G/CT DOCSIS 3.0 Internet and Voice Modem, Instruction packet (very thick), Li-Ion Battery, assorted cables, and power cord. Yeah -no extra power brick.

Modem itself was just packaged in an anti static back. It is surprisingly light without the battery. The unit has rubber feet so it can be set flat or vertical. The dimensions of the box are 2" by 9" by 7-1/2" deep (allow more depth for cables and power out the back).

Here's a view of the connections out the back of the Arris TM722G modem. Note there are connections for two analog phone lines, a reset button (there is a sticker over the phone lines and reset button), cable connection, power cord, and push button to get to the battery on the bottom of the eMTA DOCSIS 3.0 modem.

Backup battery in the package. This is the battery that keeps your phone up during a short power outage. Since it's Li-Ion I would expect it to have a good lifetime. The Comcast technician said he's not had to replace one yet.

The shape of the battery is a very proprietary design. It is made to just fit in the compartment of the Arris modem. It's approximately 1-1/2" wide by 3/4" thick, by 7" long. It also doesn't weigh a lot. Not compared to the lead acid batteries in my UPS's.

The battery model number is listed as BPB044S and Product ID 718005. 8.4 VDC with a life of 4400 mAh. Charging current is listed as 0.115 Amps. Seems like a pretty decent backup. The installer said the backup was in the neighborhood of 8 hours. My networking equipment is on battery backup anyway, so in combination I should get long life.

Here you can see the proprietary battery connectors.

Here you can see the loop of yellow tape that allows you pull out the battery if you needed to replace it.

Little warning message not to remove the battery. Use the reset button (located by the cables in the back) if you want to power cycle it.

Above are the coaxial cable bundles that are included wit the package. They were quite generous with the 20 foot cable. For my installation I didn't need any of this, since I was replacing an installed Comcast TM402P Arris DOCSIS 2.0 modem.

General wiring instruction for the Digital Voice modem.

Wall Mounting template instructions. The Arris Touchstone TM722 has slots to wall mount the modem. This sheet has a template to put in screws so you can wall mount it. The screws were not included.

The installation of the modem was pretty simple. I called the Comcast number for activation of the new modem.

1. I gave them the MAC address of this modem.
2. The had me switch the cable and power from the old TM402P leased modem to the new modem (AC cords are the same).
3. Then switch the coaxial cable. At that point the person on the phone could "see" my modem. He started pushing a configuration to it.
4. After that started I switched the ethernet and voice over to the new modem. I chose to unplug my network ad have one laptop on the ethernet line for simplicity.
5. He activated the internet portion and my laptop connected just fine.
6. Last step was to verify that I got dial tone on the phone. Then Comcast placed a call to my voice line. 

Pretty simple and painless. The total call took about 20 minutes to switch from the leased modem to my modem. Hope this gives you an idea what the Self install process for moving from a leased triple play modem to an owned one can be like. I'd expect this modem to last at least 6 years like my old Motorola SB5100. PS - you can buy it on eBay now if you like.