Cox vs Frontier: Side by Side Comparison

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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: (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)

Frontier Communications AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (855) 370-0308
  • Support: (800) 921-8101
(855) 370-0308

$29.99 to $50 / mo.

12 mbps to 150 mbps

Up to 150 mbps

56%56%

DSL

Current: 43rd ↓ (-1)

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.

Frontier OVERVIEW

One of the largest DSL and fiber broadband providers in the US, Frontier Communications offers Internet, TV, and phone to consumers and businesses. Their fiber offerings are sometimes marketed as “Frontier FiOS,” and utilize fiber networks the company purchased from Verizon in 2016.

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 8/15/2017

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

Frontier INTERNET DEALS †

  • $29.99 for 12 mbps DSL
    • 12 mbps ↓ and 1.0 mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $44.99.
    • Setup: $0 (Installation fees waived.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
  • $30 for 50 mbps Fiber
    • 50 mbps ↓ and 50 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $5/mo
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
  • $39.99 for 24 mbps DSL
    • 24 mbps ↓ and 1.0 mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $54.99.
    • Setup: $0 (Installation fees waived.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
  • $40 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 100 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $5/mo
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
  • $50 for 150 mbps Fiber
    • 150 mbps ↓ and 150 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $5/mo
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
Show All Deals (9)
Last updated on 8/17/2017

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

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.

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

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.[3]

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.

Frontier's TECHNOLOGY

Frontier offers broadband internet, TV, and phone services through DSL and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections.

Frontier’s DSL offerings leverage the company’s existing phone infrastructure to deliver internet access anywhere with landline access. While DSL is an older technology and offers correspondingly slower bandwidth speeds, DSL is generally more cost effective than its alternatives.[4]

Frontier’s fiber or fiber-to-the-home connections, on the other hand, deliver a fiber optic connection directly to homes and businesses. This direct fiber connection is considered state-of-the-art, creating the fastest connection speeds and lowest latency when compared to other technologies like DSL and traditional cable Internet.

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.

Frontier INSTALLATION

There are two options for installing hardware needed for a Frontier Internet connection: self-installation and professional installation.

Self-installation is simple, and Frontier offers self-installation kits with all the required items including modem, router, filters, and ethernet cable. Instructions are also available on the provider’s website for customers using their own router or other supplies.

Professional installation comes with a fee, but makes the process much simpler for less-technically-inclined consumers. Professional installation can also be helpful if the internal wiring in your house is very old or damaged, in which case they can diagnose or help fix the issue. Appointments with a technician should be made directly through the provider.

Cox RATINGS AND REVIEWS

47%47% Customer Rating

46.6% recommendation rating according to 26,285 verified Cox users.

Frontier RATINGS AND REVIEWS

36%36% Customer Rating

35.6% recommendation rating according to 13,069 verified Frontier users.

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.
Customize map

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. http://www.theacsi.org/industries/telecommunications-and-information/internet-service-provider ↩
  2. http://broadbandnow.com/report/renting-vs-buying-modem-whats-best-budget/ ↩
  3. http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/~kumbes/ra/Access-Networks/hfc/cnethfc.htm ↩
  4. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  3. Cox vs Frontier
Last updated on 8/17/2017.

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