Which is all stuff they are doing anyway. Cable modems, even when not integrated with wifi don't last more than a couple years before someone adds a couple more

Which is all stuff they are doing anyway. Cable modems, even when not integrated with wifi don't last more than a couple years before someone adds a couple more channels, or tweaks the spec. Etc, Docsis 3.1 modems were available in the local best buy for probably 5+ years before my cable company would even provision them in docsis 3.0 modes. They might have some excuses with the amps, but again, those can be upgraded as they age out/die too. This was the excuse 20 years ago when the amps didn't allow any upstream signals through in many areas. If a cable company hasn't been preparing/slowly rolling out new equipment as soon as the specs are available that is their own fault. Like any other technology you either get on the train, or you get left behind.