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Cox vs Frontier: Side by Side Comparison

Enter your zip code below to see if Cox or Frontier offers service in your area.

Cox vs Frontier

Broadband shoppers lucky enough to have both Cox Communications and Frontier communications in their area will be able to get great value compared to those stuck with just one option, as direct competition usually spurs the providers into offering higher quality of service at a better price. Be sure to weigh in differences in TV and phone offerings, as well as overall customer satisfaction ratings.

Cox Communications At A Glance

  • Sales: (855) 913-4284
  • Support: (800) 234-3993
(855) 913-4284

$39.99-69.99/mo.

10-940 Mbps

1.0-35 Mbps

63% 63%

Cable

4th (0)

Frontier Communications At A Glance

  • Sales: (855) 915-4111
  • Support: (800) 921-8101
(855) 915-4111

$37.99-79.99/mo.

9-940 Mbps

Up to 880 Mbps

56% 56%

DSL

40th (0)

Cox Overview

Cox Communications is an Internet company offering cable Internet, television, and telephone bundles. They also sell home security and smart home systems in several states.

Frontier Overview

Frontier Communications sells Internet and WiFi, as well as TV and phone services. Their fiber offers are sold under the name “Frontier Fios,” and utilize a fiber network they aquired from Verizon.

Cox Internet Deals †

  • $39.99 for 10 mbps Cable
    • 10 Mbps ↓ and 1.0 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1280 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $44.99.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • 1 year service agreement + EasyPay
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $12/mo
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
  • $49.99 for 150 mbps Cable
    • 150 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1280 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $83.99.
    • Setup: $0 (Free install.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
  • $49.99 for 50 mbps Cable
    • 50 Mbps ↓ and 3.0 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1280 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $65.99.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • 1 year service agreement + EasyPay
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $12/mo
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 500 mbps Cable
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1280 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $99.99.
    • Setup: $0 (Free install.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
  • $69.99 for 940 mbps Cable
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and 35 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1280 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $119.99.
    • Setup: $0 (Free install.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
Show All Deals (15)
Last updated on 1/6/2021

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

Frontier Internet Deals †

  • $37.99 for 9 mbps DSL
    • Speed ranges from 3-9 mbps w/ no data cap.
    • Setup: $85.00 (Includes activation fee.)
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $44.99 for 25 mbps DSL
    • Speed ranges from 12-25 mbps w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $85.00 (Includes activation fee.)
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $49.99 for 50 mbps Fiber
    • 50 Mbps ↓ and 50 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $59.99.
    • Setup: $85 Activation fee ($49 for NY)
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $54.99 for 115 mbps DSL
    • Speed ranges from 45-115 mbps w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $85.00 (Includes activation fee.)
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 500 mbps Fiber
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and 500 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $69.99.
    • Setup: $85 Activation fee ($49 for NY)
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $79.99 for 940 mbps Fiber
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and 880 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $89.99.
    • Setup: $85 Activation fee ($49 for NY)
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
Show All Deals (6)
Last updated on 1/9/2021

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

Cox: Datacaps From 1280 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.

Frontier: No Datacap Found

We have not found plans that include data caps. This doesn't mean Frontier doesn't have data caps, just that we haven't found them when collecting their plans. Always verify plan details before purchasing.

Cox's Technology

Cox Cable provides broadband Internet service via their coaxial cable network. While the “backbone” of the network carries service using future-proofed fiber optic lines, these cables end at "nodes" near subscribers. Then, data branches off using coaxial copper lines to reach nearby addresses.

Coaxial bandwidth is often shared withwithin blocks. As a result, speeds often be reduced when lots of customers are streaming. This may affect video streaming if the whole block turns on their Rokus at the same time.

Frontier's Technology

Frontier provides broadband internet, TV, and phone services through DSL and fiber technology.

DSL offerings leverage existing phone infrastructure. DSL can provide internet on the same line as phone service. DSL is slower than cable or fiber internet, but it'soften cheaper than competing options.

Frontier fiber or fiber-to-the-home services deliver a high-capacity fiber optic line directly to homes and businesses. Fiber is the fastest broadband choice currently marketed.

Cox Installation

Cox generally will encourage customers to install service themselves. Assuming the residence has existing inside wiring, setting up WiFi yourself is not difficult. Self-installation will generally be cheaper for buyers.

Customers getting TV and phone bundles are better served by professional installation.

Frontier Installation

Self-installation is not difficult, and the company provides customers with a self-install kit with all the required equipment including the WiFi gateway, filters, and ethernet cable. Directions are also available on the provider’s website for customers using their own router.

Professional installation comes with a fee, but is much faster for less tech-savvy subscribers. Appointments with a technician can be made directly through the provider.

Cox Coverage & Availability

Cox Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Frontier Coverage & Availability

Frontier Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Fast customer service makes a difference

Here’s the skinny on which review systems you can trust

Broadband isn’t just a luxury — it’s the backbone of modern communication. When service goes down, subscribers are stuck without access to email, messaging, online platforms, and everything else crucial to work and play. Considering what’s at stake, it’s well worth paying a little extra for a provider with a good customer service reputation (if you’re fortunate enough to have such a provider in your area).

There are two review systems worth looking at when you’re trying to get a feel for which company has a better reputation in your area: ACSI ratings and IP-verified customer ratings. (Both are available via BroadbandNow, but look for them anywhere else you go for information.) Ratings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index are hand-gathered, making them highly reliable and accurate.[1] IP-verified ratings use a protocol that identifies individual networks from site visitors and verifies that they are a unique visitor who is actually on the network being reviewed. This cuts out fluff and prevent malicious manipulation of reviews.

Modems, routers, and rentals

Why it makes sense to buy instead of rent your hardware

Rental modems frequently come along with new broadband plans, usually for a little less than ten dollars per month. Using the modem/router provided certainly makes installation and upkeep a breeze.[2]

It’s also a good move for less technical customers to have access to upkeep and replacement at a moment’s notice. However, cost-conscious shoppers will notice that the retail cost of a modem/router combo unit (or even two separate devices) is quickly covered by the rental fees within a year. After that, it’s just money in the provider’s pocket, to the tune of about a hundred dollars annually. If you’d like to buy your own unit to save, simply check with the provider in question about which specific makes and models are compatible with their network offerings.

References and Footnotes
  1. https://www.theacsi.org/industries/telecommunications-and-information/internet-service-provider ↩
  2. https://broadbandnow.com/guides/renting-vs-buying-modem-whats-best-budget ↩
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Last updated on 1/9/2021.