UPS Will Pack and Return Your Old Internet Router
If you change ISP, upgrade to new hardware, or have any other reason to ship your ISP-provided modem and router, then most of the major ISPs will let you ship to UPS without even packing them. Here are the ones that fit and which don’t, and where to get any equipment you need.
Comcast xfinity
Allows without anchor transmission UPS. Follow these directions under the “Stop at Your Local UPS Store” heading.
You can either bring your equipment to the store and a UPS representative will package and ship it to us, or you can pack the equipment yourself using a cardboard box and the prepaid UPS shipping label you printed at home.
AT&T U-verse
Allows you to transfer UPS without a box. Follow these directions in the upper left corner.
Take the original Wi-Fi gateway and power cord to your nearest UPS store. Bring your AT&T account number found on the packing slip.
UPS will scan your equipment, provide a receipt, and package and ship the AT&T equipment at no cost to you.
Spectrum (aka Charter, known as Time Warner Cable)
Allows you to transfer UPS without a box. Follow these directions.
The UPS Store will take care of packaging and shipping for free. Just bring your equipment and tell UPS that you are a Spectrum customer and they will take care of the rest! Remember to keep your receipt for tracking purposes.
Verizon
It is required that you use the Return Kit box when leaving the UPS, but you can get one by phone. Follow these directions.
Returns are free and easy if you follow the instructions that came with your Fios return kit provided by Verizon. Apply the prepaid shipping label included with the replacement / disconnect kit. Leave it at your nearest UPS store.
If you need additional return / exchange boxes, call 1.800.VERIZON (1.800.837.4966).
The border
Requires a return box (available upon request) for UPS returns. Follow these instructions.
Call 1.800.921.8101 to let us know what changes you want to make to your Frontier service. We will identify all Frontier equipment you have, such as broadband routers, DVRs and STBs, and let you know which items you need to return to us. We will send you prepaid mailboxes and full address stickers via UPS Ground.
We did not find any publicly available shipping information for Unpackaged UPS for Optimum , CenturyLink , Sparklight , Consolidated , Mediacom , TDS, or Windstream . Cox’s return page mentions UPS abandonment as an option for “customers who have moved to an area not covered by Cox”.
ISPs force you to quickly return your old equipment after canceling the service, otherwise they charge you, which is one of the reasons Lifehacker recommends that you buy your own modem and router .
When you drop off your equipment, always get a tracking number in case your ISP loses your equipment and tries to charge you. Remember not to vent your righteous anger on a customer service representative who is having an even worse day than yours.