AT&T Internet vs Cox: Side by Side Comparison

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AT&T Internet vs Cox

Broadband shoppers have plenty to consider when comparing AT&T and Cox Communications. U-verse’s DSL network and Cox Communication’s coaxial cable network offer similar speeds at similar prices, but deciding which one is “better” depends on location, pricing, and your household’s needs.

AT&T Internet AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (844) 602-3932
  • Support: (800) 288-2020
(844) 602-3932

$40 to $80 / mo.

18 mbps to 1,000 mbps

1.5 mbps to 1,000 mbps

64%64%

DSL

Current: 20th ↑ (+2)

Cox Communications AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (844) 547-8341
  • Support: (800) 818-0679
(844) 547-8341

$29.99 to $69.99 / mo.

10 mbps to 300 mbps

2.0 mbps to 30 mbps

63%63%

Cable

Current: 11th ↓ (-2)

AT&T Internet OVERVIEW

AT&T U-Verse is a bundled broadband Internet, phone, and digital TV provider. They provide connectivity via both DSL and fiber networks.

Cox OVERVIEW

Cox Communications is a cable broadband provider offering cable Internet, TV, and phone service in addition to connected home security and automation products in several states across the US.

AT&T Internet INTERNET DEALS †

  • $40 for 45 mbps Fiber
    • 45 mbps ↓ and 6.0 mbps ↑ w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $70.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with $180 ETF
    • Setup: $99.00 (Internet Installation Fee)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 602-3932 to setup service.
  • $40 for 45 mbps DSL
    • up to 45 Mbps w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $70.00.
    • 45mbps not guaranteed. Speeds vary by service area, but AT&T offers fixed pricing of $40/mo for the first year at the maximum speed that is available at your location.
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 602-3932 to setup service.
  • $70 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 100 mbps ↑ w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $99.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with $180 ETF
    • Setup: waived
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 602-3932 to setup service.
  • $80 for 1,000 mbps Fiber
    • 1,000 mbps ↓ and 1,000 mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $99.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with $180 ETF
    • Setup: waived
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 602-3932 to setup service.
Show All Deals (4)
Last updated on 2/1/2017

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with AT&T Internet.

Cox INTERNET DEALS †

  • $29.99 for 15 mbps Cable
    • 15 mbps ↓ and 2.0 mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $59.99.
    • Setup: $20.00 (Includes self install (shipment).)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $9.99/mo
    • Call (844) 547-8341 to setup service.
  • $49.99 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 10 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $79.99.
    • Setup: $20.00 (Includes self install (shipment).)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $9.99/mo
    • Call (844) 547-8341 to setup service.
  • $69.99 for 300 mbps Cable
    • 300 mbps ↓ and 30 mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $99.99.
    • Setup: $0 (Free professional installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $9.99/mo
    • Call (844) 547-8341 to setup service.
Show All Deals (5)
Last updated on 8/22/2017

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Cox.

AT&T Internet: DATACAPS From 1000 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. AT&T Internet offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

Cox: DATACAPS From 1024 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. Cox offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

AT&T Internet's TECHNOLOGY

AT&T offers fiber optic and hybrid DSL internet connections to many residential consumers and businesses across the US. They also offer a variety of “triple play” plans with bundled TV and home phone service.

Their DSL offering, historically known as AT&T U-verse, leverages a fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) layout where fiber optic cable terminates at a point near consumers, with the final stretch to the subscriber residence reached via telephone, ethernet, and in some rare cases coaxial cable. This hybrid fiber network has allowed AT&T to offer higher bandwidth plans than traditionally expected from DSL.[3]

In addition to their DSL offering, AT&T also offers fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) in some areas. FTTH is considered the “gold standard” for strong, fast, and reliable home internet connection.

Cox's TECHNOLOGY

The company delivers broadband Internet service via a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network. While the “backbone” of the network transmits data over next-generation fiber optic cables, these cables terminate at nodes within neighborhoods which then branch off via coaxial cable to serve individual subscribers.[4]

Any given node may serve anywhere from 50–2,000 residences, using a technology called “statistical multiplexing” to effectively share bandwidth between customers on a node. This is why cable Internet sometimes slows down at peak usage times, when dozens to hundreds of Internet users try to send and receive data over the same fiber-optic cable simultaneously.

AT&T Internet INSTALLATION

To get AT&T services installed, you have two main routes: professional installation or self-installation.

AT&T generally charges a fee for professional installation, so if your house is already wired and qualifies for self-installation, this may be an easy route for you to save money when setting up service.

Cox INSTALLATION

Cox encourages customers to self-install if possible. Assuming a residence has already been wired for Cox service, self-installation is simple using the instructions provided on the Cox website. Going this route will save money up-front for cost-conscious buyers.

On the other hand, if a residence hasn’t been wired for cable service before, it will be necessary to schedule a time for professional installation by a technician through the provider. Professional installation is also available for customers who simply don’t want to mess around with the cables and configuration themselves.

AT&T Internet RATINGS AND REVIEWS

42%42% Customer Rating

41.5% recommendation rating according to 74,697 verified users.

Cox RATINGS AND REVIEWS

47%47% Customer Rating

46.6% recommendation rating according to 26,371 verified Cox users.

AT&T Internet COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

AT&T Internet Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Cox COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Cox Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Cable cutters and streamed video content

Understanding your video needs is key to saving on broadband TV

Both U-verse and Cox Communications offer TV service in one form or another, with key differences in channels on offer, on-demand content, and attitude towards “over-the-top” online streaming services like Hulu and Netflix.[1]

In addition to considering data caps, which can pose problems for heavy video watchers, shoppers need to take a close look at the consistency of download speeds on offer in their area, and whether or not those speeds can handle the video quality they intend to consume.

U-verse plans to move their satellite TV offerings over to wired networks within the next few years, promising crisper video quality and more content in the near future. Cox Communications, as a cable company, offers high-quality coaxial cable TV at a discount for consumers interested in “bundling” their Internet, TV, and/or phone services.

ETFs and hidden fees

Always look at the small print when shopping for broadband

Like most bundled broadband providers, U-verse and Cox Communications will often offer discounts for consumers interested in “bundling” their Internet connection with TV and phone service from the same company. This makes sense, considering that Cox delivers data via their cable TV network and U-verse uses their existing phone lines to do the same thing.

While these promotional deals offer great prices, be sure to check the fine print and consider how much you’ll have to pay if you break the contract early — and also consider the final price you’ll pay for service after that promotional period ends.[2]

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. http://broadbandnow.com/report/providers-with-data-caps/ ↩
  2. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/consumer-labels-broadband-services ↩
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  4. http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/~kumbes/ra/Access-Networks/hfc/cnethfc.htm ↩
  3. AT&T Internet vs Cox
Last updated on 8/22/2017.

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