CenturyLink vs. Cox
CenturyLink and Cox Internet have both built solid reputations for their reliable internet service. Cox is the third largest cable internet provider in the United States whereas CenturyLink is the third largest DSL provider. Both providers have recently entered the fiber-optic market bringing incredibly fast speeds to homes across the country. While CenturyLink and Cox share some similarities when it comes to plans, fees, and pricing, there are some key differences that are reviewed below.
CenturyLink Info
Cox Info
| CenturyLink vs. Cox Comparison |
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| Provider | CenturyLink | Cox |
| Speed | 20-940 Mbps | 25-940 Mbps |
| Pricing | $49-65/mo. | $29.99-99.99/mo. |
| Service Type | DSL, Fiber, Copper or Fixed Wireless | Cable or Fiber |
| CenturyLink vs. Cox FEATURE COMPARISON |
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| Provider | CenturyLink | Cox |
| High-Speed Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Data | Select Plans | No |
| Contract-Free Plans | Yes | No |
| TV Service | No | Yes |
| Phone Service | Yes | Yes |
CenturyLink Internet Deals †
Last updated on 4/14/2021†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with CenturyLink.
Cox Internet Deals †
Last updated on 4/9/2021†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Cox.
CenturyLink vs. Cox Performance Overview
Supplying broadband services across 50 states in the U.S., CenturyLink offers four different types of internet access: DSL, fiber, copper, and fixed wireless. If fiber is available in your area, you can have access to speeds up to 1000 Mbps. In addition to internet service, CenturyLink customers can opt to bundle with Prism TV and/or phone services.
Cox Internet offers two types of internet access: cable and fiber. While their cable internet can deliver fast internet speeds, fiber takes it to the next level, providing speeds up to 940 Mbps. Like CenturyLink, Cox customers are offered a wide variety of internet plans and bundled options that include high-speed internet with phone and/or TV services.
CenturyLink Installation
Both self-installation and professional installation are offered to CenturyLink customers.
CenturyLink’s professional installation can cost up to $125. Their self-installation option can cost up to $50. Installation fees vary depending on the plan you select and the coverage availability in your location.
Cox Installation
Cox Internet offers professional installation for a fee that starts around $50 or self-installation for a one-time charge of $20.
If you opt to self-install, Cox will send you a self-install kit to guide you through the installation process. However, Cox’s Gigablast fiber-optic plan requires professional installation where a certified technician installs specialized equipment in your home.
CenturyLink Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print
CenturyLink gives you the ability to choose between a contract plan or you can pay an extra fee for a contract-free option.
CenturyLink customers that sign up for an agreement may face early termination fees if the contract is terminated early. Regarding equipment, CenturyLink offers to lease a modem for $15/month or you can purchase a modem for a one-time fee of $150.
Cox Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print
Most of Cox Internet’s plans require a 1-2 year agreement.
Their agreements usually last for a year and allow customers to cancel their service at the end of the 12 month period. If you choose to cancel outside of this window, you may face early termination fees up to $240. Similarly to CenturyLink, Cox gives you the option of renting a router for $10.99/month or you can purchase the equipment for a one-time fee of $129.99.
CenturyLink Data Caps
For the majority of its plans, CenturyLink imposes a 1 TB data cap. However, customers on a business, Prism TV, or 1 Gig plan are exempt from these limits. If you exceed your data cap limit more than three times, CenturyLink will start charging a fee of $10 for every additional 50 GB used.
Cox Data Caps
Cox Internet employs a 1 TB data cap for most of their plans.
100 Mbps CenturyLink Internet
We switched to CenturyLink and could not be happier. It is so much faster, has never cut out and had the best installation customer service. The price is also great.
Reliability - 4
Great speed and reliability.
Amazing Customer service
This is how great Cox customer service can be when you let them help you. I made the mistake of letting someone trick me into letting them in my network. Before i knew what was happening they were in everything, they even wiped out my virus program. When i called Cox for help i was connected to Catherine in the Ohio call center, I explained to her what had happened & how worried i was about everything. Right from the start Catherine said it's going to be OK & i can help you take care of this. Then she said asked me to to take a deep breath & try to relax & i'll get started. Catherine was the most caring, understanding & thoughtful person you got hope for & just as smart. She started with the network & cleared every program they had installed. Then she asked me a few questions about my laptop at which time you asked me for permission to access it in order to make sure that no program was left behind which could still allow them access. I said yes & Catherine started going through the files & removed a few more programs they had installed. When she finished she then explained how with my Cox account came a McAfee Virus program which was what i had in my laptop. She then reinstalled McAfee & helped me set up new pass words for everything. When Catherine was done i felt relief for the first time in twelve hours & when she was finished & i thanked her for everything, she said you don't need to thank me it's me job. I said yes it may be your job but you just don't know i great full i am. So to show just how great full i am wanted Cox to know just how much i appreciate everything Catherine did to save me from what could have been my worst night mare. Catherine is the perfect example of outstanding customer service.
COX specialist in Mesa, provided outstanding service on 3-27-2021
It was necessary for me to unplug my COX cable modem, return it to a COX store, receive a new cable modem, take it home and spend time getting it working. Not something I wanted to do on a Saturday. Luckily, I was assisted by a specialist in this transaction. He processed the return of my old cable modem, showed me that my monthly bill would be lower, activated a new cable modem for me, and suggested several ideas that would get my home internet back up quickly. Internet connectivity configuration can be tedious, even on the best of days. Today was different. Using his suggestions, my home internet was working in just five minutes after attaching the power cord and coaxial connection to the modem. No online support chats, no longer support phone calls. Certainly, the easiest reconfiguration one could expect. He probably helps 30 store visitors per day, but just know that one of those visitors greatly appreciates your personal attention and flawless execution of the tasks involved to keep a COX internet customer very satisfied.
CenturyLink vs. Cox Coverage Availability
CenturyLink Coverage & Availability
Cox Coverage & Availability
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