Connecting to Wifi at home with Comcast

[Mari7]

Let me start by saying I'm new to wifi, so forgive if this question seems to noob.
I'm currently using Comcast cable to connect to the internet at home. Have been thinking of switching to their wireless service mainly because I want to connect with my 8525 at home (husband also has a wifi capable phone, the 8125). Spoke to a Comcast rep today who said that I could connect with up to 5 pcs but would not be able to connect with my phone and I would have to sign up for this service via my cell company; Cingular/Att.
Did I get wrong info? I've read that so many of you have connected at home and not sure if you're useing your pc's existing wireless service or have a sevice via your cell co.
And a little OT, but anyone personally compared having wireless svc vs. cable modem? Are there constant disconnect probs? Loss in speed? etc...?
Thanks for any input,
Mari

[scharnet]

This may be the blind leading the blind, but here it goes:

- To get WiFi going in your home - you need to have your Comcast cable internet service and cable modem like normal. In addition you would need to buy a WiFi router that connects to the cable modem to send the signal out to your phones/other computers. Comcast doesn't offer a wireless service, it would be you making your network wireless. Here is a link to a router with a good explaination. If you decide to go that route you might want to ask people what routers they recommend: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=136493

- Your other "wireless" choice is a Data Plan through Cingular (ie PDA Connect, et al). This can be pricey and it is much slower than any WiFi connection I have had. WiFi is faster, and no extra costs to use at your home. The Cingular/Att Data plans are great if you need data when not at home.

[Mari7]

Thanks scharnet for the info. I'm still not quite sure how this works, but I'll look into it further. Those of you who actually have wifi at home please chime in. I'm trying to get as much info and knowledge as I can b4 I go wireless and I'm trying to do so asap.
Thanks again,
Mari

[pcm2a]

scharnet is correct in his wifi statements.

What you need is to hook your cable modem into a wireless router. Then from your wireless router you will hook your home PC via a cat5 network cable. Then you can also connect to your wireless router from your 8525 and your 8125 (all at the same time).

Does your cable model currently hook into your home PC via a cat5 network cable or via a USB cable? If it hooks in via a USB cable is there also a cat5 network jack on the back of the cable modem or only a USB connection?

I suspect that when Comcast is trying to sell you a wireless service, what they are actually going to sell you is a cable modem that has a wireless router built into it. If it has wireless capabilities then it would work with your phone.

I also suspect that the representative that you spoke with at Comcast didnt fully understand that your 8125 and 8525 can connect via 802.11b/g wifi.

I have Comcast and my cable modem is hooked into a WRT54G 802.11g router. I have 2 regular PCs both connected to it via wifi. My 8525 also connects to it via wifi.

Hope this helps!

[Mari7]

thanx so much pcm2a! just the info I needed :D