AT&T Internet vs. Cox

AT&T Fiber has some of the lowest prices on the market for fiber internet. It has three plans to choose from, and each offers unlimited data and upload speeds as fast as their download speeds. Cox offers fiber internet, too, but it’s available only to the company’s business customers.

Beyond fiber, Cox offers a cable internet connection and AT&T Internet has an internet protocol broadband (IPBB) connection — a fiber-and-copper-wire hybrid that isn’t as fast as fiber but is faster than cable and standard DSL. Cox’s 50 Mbps cable internet plan has an upload speed of 5 Mbps, while AT&T’s 50 Mbps IPBB has a 10 Mbps upload speed. AT&T’s is a faster and more reliable connection — and a decent alternative to fiber.

If you don’t have access to AT&T Fiber, Cox has two plans that are more affordable than AT&T Internet’s $45-per-month IPBB plans. Cox offers a 25 Mbps plan for $29.99 per month and a 50 Mbps plan for $39.99 per month.

Speed is another area where AT&T has Cox beat. AT&T offers fiber internet to residential customers, while Cox’s fiber plans are limited to its business clientele. Both providers have data-capped plans that charge $10 for each additional 50 GB. Some Cox plans allow you to remove the cap for $30 per month.

Both AT&T and Cox provide access to free public Wi-Fi around the nation, but Cox has the upper hand. It provides access to millions of nationwide hotspots, while AT&T has only 30,000 locations.

AT&T offers autopay and paperless billing, but Cox does not.

To find the best deal on internet service, it’s important to look for current promotions. Most of Cox’s perks are available when you bundle. Many of its plans currently offer cable and no-term options. AT&T has an online-only special for a $200 gift card when signing up for service.

AT&T offers a $15-a-month discount to first responders, students, and members of the military with proof of service or status. Low-income households and senior citizens can also receive discounted rates through the Access From AT&T program. Cox has a prepaid internet service called StraightUp and the Connect2Compete program, which offers low-income families internet service for $9.99 per month.

AT&T and Cox Bundles Compared

When you’re shopping for a bundle, you have to decide what matters most: channel options or price. If you want channels, then Cox is the choice. If you want affordability, then you should call AT&T. AT&T also gets the nod for mobile since Cox doesn’t provide this option.

Both companies offer internet, home phone, home security, and television. The real difference is how they deliver it. Cox’s bundle delivers TV service through an internet cable connection; AT&T offers DirecTV. (AT&T also has a streaming option, but its primary connection is with a satellite dish.)

AT&T vs. Cox: Extra Fees and Contracts

Most of Cox’s plans come with one-year contracts, but it also has a contract-free option for $10 more per month. AT&T Fiber and AT&T Internet do not require contracts. Many fixed wireless internet providers require contracts, but AT&T doesn’t appear to.

Both providers’ monthly rates increase after the first 12 months. How much your plan increases will depend on where you live and the package you have. Both AT&T Fiber plans and Cox internet-only plans increase by $15 to $20 after the first 12 months.

Installation

Professional installation with AT&T is $99, but the fee may be waived during promotional periods. Cox charges an installation fee of $100, though you can self-install for $20 instead. AT&T also has a self-install option for a $35 fee.

Data Cap

No AT&T Fiber internet plans have data caps, but AT&T Internet plans come with a 1 TB cap. When you reach the cap, you will be charged $10 for each additional 50 GB of data you use. AT&T Fixed Wireless has a 350 GB data cap with an overage fee of $10 for each additional 50 GB. Cox has a slightly higher data cap at 1.2 TB, with an overage fee of $10 for each extra 50 GB of data. You can remove the cap altogether for $30 per month.

AT&T and Cox: Customer Satisfaction

AT&T Fiber customers’ average speed is 510 Mbps. Cox’s average speed isn’t as high, but it’s still plenty fast for most households. No provider is perfect, though, and AT&T and Cox customers have grievances about daily congestion and network outages. The key to getting the best from either provider is choosing a plan with enough — or, better yet, more than enough — speed.