Expert Overview of Cox‘s Services
Cox Communications is a major cable Internet provider in the USA. Their services include cable Internet, TV, and digital phone service. Cox TV service is branded as “Contour TV,” and they also have begun to offer home security and “smart home” automation products in recent years, branded as “Homelife.”
Cox Cable Network Details
Cox is a cable provider, which means that the “last mile” of a subscriber’s Internet connection is delivered over coaxial cable lines. These cables were originally used to send TV signal, which is why most “cable” Internet providers have their origins as cable TV providers (and still provide TV, although it’s all digital now). The benefit of coaxial compared to other technologies like DSL or satellite Internet is that it provides high bandwidth and high download speeds. It falls short of fiber connections on these metrics, but since coaxial networks are so widespread Cox is able to provide high-speed cable Internet to many customers who otherwise would be stuck with a slower, more expensive option. Cable from Cox is generally seen as a cost-effective way to get strong Internet speeds and TV service to the average consumer household.
Cox Communications Ratings
37,878 ratings for Cox have been submitted to BroadbandNow to-date. We verify these ratings and reviews using IP-verification. Among those collected so far, Cox cable has a 45.0 percent approval rate. This sounds low on the surface, but is relatively normal in the cable industry. The average rating for all providers we’ve run polls for is 48.4.
As of the first quarter of 2018, Cox held the #2 spot on Netflix’s ISP Leaderboards for speed and streaming suitability, coming in just behind Comcast Xfinity and just ahead of Verizon Fios. This is largely due to their focus on consistent, reliable download speeds across their service area.
Cox Communications Company Structure
Cox Communications is one of three subsidiaries within the larger Cox Enterprises conglomerate. The Cox Communications subsidiary is privately owned. The full list of Cox Enterprises subsidiaries is:
- Cox Communications (cable operator)
- Cox Media Group (Publishing and digital media)
- Cox Automotive (Auto and financial services)
Cox formerly began offering mobile 3G services in some areas, but has since backed out of that direction and instead works with Sprint to provide wireless deals to customers.
Cox Communications is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Cox Availability for Low-Income Consumers
Cox offers low-income Internet access plans through the Connect2Compete program. This program makes low-cost plans available to residents within Cox availability areas who have one or more K–12 children and also participate in one of the following governmental assistance programs:
- SNAP
- TANF
- Public Housing Assistantce
- National School Lunch Program
Cox Communications Coverage and Availability
Cox Communications offers cable Internet services in Arizona, California, Virginia, and 15 other states. Cox is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the USA, with a population coverage of 20.9 million. Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City are among the largest cities within the Cox coverage footprint. Additionally, Cox offers a public Wi-Fi network of 500,000+ “hotspots” for on-the-go use by Cox customers. These hotspots can be found in public areas throughout the Cox network.
