In Europe you get a "free" modem with your connection on any ISP. Couldn't imagine you need to pay rental fees for your modems in the US... weird...
"Free" in quotes cause you are suppose to return it after your contract with that ISP finishes but noone ever cares to have it back so we end up having a lot of modems.
Every time the ISP upgrades their modem or you change ISP you get a new modem.
I think I have over 8 modems by now (had internet at the house since '98) :O