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: (855) 611-5854
  • Support: (800) 818-0679
(855) 611-5854

$29.99 to $119.99 / mo.

10 mbps to 100 mbps

2.0 mbps to 20 mbps

63%63%

Cable

Current: 6th (0)

Frontier Communications AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (855) 272-6369
  • Support: (800) 921-8101
(855) 272-6369

$20 to $40 / mo.

6.0 mbps to 1,000 mbps

Up to 300 mbps

56%56%

DSL

Current: 41st ↑ (+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 10 mbps Cable
    • 10 Mbps ↓ and 1.0 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Regular price is $42.99/mo.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes professional install.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $9.99/mo
    • Call (855) 611-5854 to setup service.
  • $39.99 for 30 mbps Cable
    • 30 Mbps ↓ and 3.0 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $63.99.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes professional install.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $9.99/mo
    • Call (855) 611-5854 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Regular price is $84.99/mo.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes professional install.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $9.99/mo
    • Call (855) 611-5854 to setup service.
  • $79.99 for 300 mbps Cable
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 30 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $104.99.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes professional install.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $9.99/mo
    • Call (855) 611-5854 to setup service.
  • $119.99 for 1,000 mbps Cable
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes professional install.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $9.99/mo
    • Call (855) 611-5854 to setup service.
Show All Deals (13)
Last updated on 6/6/2018

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

Frontier INTERNET DEALS †

  • $20 for 6.0 mbps DSL
    • Between 1.1 and 6 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speeds
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Contract Term: 2 years with up to $120 ETF
    • Router fee waived for 24-month promo period. Internet Infrastructure Surcharge of $1.99/mo. is extra.
    • Free 1 year of Amazon Prime.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Call (855) 272-6369 to setup service.
  • $25 for 12 mbps DSL
    • As fast as 12 Mbps download and 1-1.5 Mbps upload speeds
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Contract Term: 2 years with up to $120 ETF
    • Discounted $5/mo. router fee applies for 24-month promo period. Internet Infrastructure Surcharge of $1.99/mo. is extra.
    • Free 1 year of Amazon Prime.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Call (855) 272-6369 to setup service.
  • $30 for 50 mbps Fiber
    • 50 Mbps ↓ and 50 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $50.00.
    • Contract Term: 2 years with up to $60 ETF
    • A discounted $5/mo. WiFi router fee applies for 12 months, $10/mo. thereafter. Internet Infrastructure Surcharge of $1.99/mo. is extra.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Call (855) 272-6369 to setup service.
  • $35 for 25 mbps DSL
    • 25 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Extra charges include broadband router fee of up to $10/mo. and Internet Infrastructure Surcharge of $1.99/mo.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Call (855) 272-6369 to setup service.
  • $40 for 150 mbps Fiber
    • 150 Mbps ↓ and 150 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $70.00.
    • Contract Term: 2 years with up to $60 ETF
    • A discounted $5/mo. WiFi router fee applies for 12 months, $10/mo. thereafter. Internet Infrastructure Surcharge of $1.99/mo. is extra.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Call (855) 272-6369 to setup service.
  • $40 for 75 mbps Fiber
    • 75 Mbps ↓ and 75 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $60.00.
    • Contract Term: 2 years with up to $60 ETF
    • A discounted $5/mo. WiFi router fee applies for 12 months, $10/mo. thereafter. Internet Infrastructure Surcharge of $1.99/mo. is extra.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Call (855) 272-6369 to setup service.
  • $40 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 100 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $60.00.
    • Contract Term: 2 years with up to $60 ETF
    • A discounted $5/mo. WiFi router fee applies for 12 months, $10/mo. thereafter. Internet Infrastructure Surcharge of $1.99/mo. is extra.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Call (855) 272-6369 to setup service.
Show All Deals (19)
Last updated on 7/17/2018

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

Cox: NO DATACAP FOUND

We have not found plans that include data caps. This doesn't mean Cox doesn't have data caps, just that we haven't found them when collecting their plans. Always 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

45%45% Customer Rating

45.0% recommendation rating according to 35816 verified Cox users.

Frontier RATINGS AND REVIEWS

34%34% Customer Rating

34.0% recommendation rating according to 17553 verified Frontier users.

Cox COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Cox Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

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. https://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 ↩
Last updated on 7/17/2018.

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