My modem with a wireless and wired router built-into the case is a free rental from my internet service provider as part of my ISP subscription. But, I have to return it once I no longer subscribe to their service.
My ISP is cheap as freaking hell, they give us crappy used cable boxes, modems and routers which are all rented. So we have to pay on the modem and cable box but I got my own router, wasn't paying rent on that.
I think the cable boxes and modem are also used /refurbished because they came in brown boxes, or the box is not wrapped in plastic wrap like a new device from a store.
I also hate the cable box remote controls where the buttons are small, with small text and numbers on the remote. The remotes also seem to break more often compared to other remotes from DVD players, game consoles, and TVs.