@DDave ,
we have Century Link. Our outdoor "old wired box" has gone down about 6 times, often associated with rain
Rep seemed to say they can upgrade the speed and ??? it would then be fiber optic cable ??? not the wired connection. She was unsure as we are
Our current modem is: Qwest ActionTEC, WPS , PK 5000
They always make it seem like your choices are all thru them, without ever mentioning buying it yourself. Funny how that happens
I'm a bit baked, but here go some random thoughts about your problem.
As a former cable tech, I would recommend having them swap out your current modem first to see if the problem stops, before buying a modem. If you go buy your own modem and the problem continues, they'll blame it on your "customer owned" modem all day long. Plus you need to know what modems CenturyLink allows. Do you need a Docsis 3 modem? Planning on digital phone service thru your cable company at a future date? You'll need a VoIp capable modem. Your local office should be able to tell you what ones work. Worst case scenario, ask what specific model modems they carry, get on NewEgg or Amazon, buy the same one. More than likely I can say probably an Arris model gateway. If no hurry, get me models CenturyLink approves, and I'll chase you down the best current listings for them on the web, and give you recommendations on what I myself would purchase.
If the problem is something like a bad signal to the modem, I don't care what speed they upgrade you to, the same problems will still occur that you're currently experiencing.
Better yet, see if you can get a tech out to the house and read the cable signal coming to the back of your modem. He would remove the cable line from the back of your modem and test the actual cable line with a RF signal meter(the signal meter has a cable "fitting" on it so he/she can plug your cable line right into it). If it is "out of spec", the tech may have to go outside and adjust the signal with a splitter or change an old, or "sucked out" fitting in the box outside. It may not be a problem at all with your current modem.
A good signal is imperative for proper operation of modem. RF signal needs to fall within a certain range or spec. Signal coming to modem WILL fluctuate. If your line reads too high or too low in this range/spec, when the signal fluctuates, it will push you out of spec, and service will disrupt or degrade. Later on, signal fluctuates again, brings you back within spec and internet works fine again, which will certainly start to frustrate even the most patient among us.
Read
HERE for more on RF signal and how it affects service, and some common industry RF specs. It's not a very technical read, more laymans terms. If need more technical, PM me and I'll give you some docs that'll put you to sleep lol.
There are a multitude of other problems that could be the culprit, it may not be a one-trip-to-the-house solution. But starting with that RF signal to your modem is where I would start, and work backwords from there is how I would approach the issue. If they come out to swap out the modem, a good tech will also take a RF reading to make sure it is/isn't the problem. Many techs will come out, swap the modem...verify modem "online", and then jet to the next appt., without ever checking to see if that was really the issue.
I miss my old job a bit, I think.
Are you in CO by chance?
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