My ISP (Altice/Optimum/Cablevision) makes it very hard to use your own router or modem, despite Federal laws empowering customers to buy their own equipment if

My ISP (Altice/Optimum/Cablevision) makes it very hard to use your own router or modem, despite Federal laws empowering customers to buy their own equipment if they want to. For starters, their techs will not install new service with your equipment; you MUST have their equipment installed, set up your equipment, and then travel to nowhereville to return their equipment. After doing this, I’ve had my modem bricked by Optimum for not having “the latest firmware.” No explanation given beyond that. There is no justifiable reason whatsoever to permit ISPs to rent equipment at all. The only reason they do this is so they can advertise cheaper service prices. Altice/Optimum/Cablevision markets a “$99 per month plus taxes and fees” bundle that actually comes out to $145 per month once you have added the equipment fees and taxes. They should also have to advertise total price. Good thing that the Democrats are fighting so hard for “net neutrality” which would solve this. Oh wait, no it’s wouldn’t. It just makes Netflix slightly cheaper. Great priorities!