While the rest of the cable industry invests in DOCSIS 4.0 to compete with fiber, Cox plans to adopt the technology into its existing network.
Cox currently only offers fiber-to-the-home internet in limited areas. However, it uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial network to provide speeds up to 1 Gbps everywhere it serves. Consumers can ask Cox customer service about local fiber availability by calling 855-349-9316.
Here, we look at the current state of Cox’s fiber internet. We talk about its fiber-to-the-home and fiber-powered cable internet and discuss the features of each. We also list the widely available Cox internet plans with their prices and speeds.
Here’s everything you need to know about Cox fiber internet.
Cox Fiber-to-the-Home Internet
Availability
Cox all-fiber internet is only available in less than 10% of Cox’s service areas. Cox is working on bringing all-fiber connections to parts of Alachua, Putnam, Gilchrist, and Marion counties in Florida. The Broadband Expansion Project in New Kent County, Virginia is also implementing an all-fiber network to bring multi-gig symmetrical speeds via Cox Fiber-to-the-Home.
How it Works?
Fiber internet uses optical fibers instead of coaxial cables. Internet traffic is converted from electrical signals into light waves and then transmitted through fiber-optic cables. Fiber has a much higher capacity than conventional coaxial cables, which allows ISPs to offer higher maximum speeds.
Fiber-optic cables are based on a phenomenon called total internal reflection. Light waves in a uniform medium travel in straight lines. However, cables in a network have to be bent and turned for routing purposes. Total internet reflection allows the light waves to be reflected off the surface of the fiber-optic cable without losing any signal strength.
Fiber isn’t a new technology. The first fiber-optic cable was deployed in 1988 and since then, it has been used primarily for underwater intercontinental communication. As the average file size on the internet increases, fiber-optic cables are increasingly being used for land-based communications as well.
Many ISPs today use fiber in their middle mile network while delivering connectivity to customers via conventional coaxial cables. Some offer all-fiber internet, which uses fiber-optic cables for data transmission all the way to the home. This brings several perks that other types of connections lack.
Benefits of Cox Fiber-to-the-Home Internet
High Upload Speeds
Upload speeds may be the biggest reason to choose fiber-to-the-home right now. Even though DOCSIS 3.1 is capable of 1-2 Gbps max upload speeds on paper, the actual upload speeds with cable internet stay below 50 Mbps.
Cox’s all-fiber internet has the same upload and download speeds. If you get 500 Mbps all-fiber internet, both your max upload and download speeds will be 500 Mbps. An upload speed this high isn’t very useful to an average subscriber, but content creators and gamers who stream on Twitch may appreciate it.
More Future-Proof
Cable cannot match the speed of fibre. Cable internet may keep up with increasing internet speed demands for a few more years, but it’ll reach its limits eventually. Communications in the future will rely heavily on fiber optic cables for high data rates. Fiber availability is growing fast in the US and it’ll eventually replace coaxial networks.
Some authorities think that there’ll be an increased need for high upload speeds in the near future as interactive technologies become more streamlined. Upload speeds available with fiber will remain higher than cable even after DOCSIS 4.0.
Higher Speeds Available
The max speeds offered with fiber are typically higher than cable. ISPs including Cox currently offer speeds up to 1 Gbps with cable. However, fiber internet has higher max download speeds available, such as with Cox’s 2-gig internet plan.
While Cox is working on bringing multi-gig symmetrical speeds to its cable internet, it also plans to roll out 10-gig fiber internet. Fiber has and will continue to have higher max speeds than cable.
Cox Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Internet
Availability
Cox offers speeds up to 1 Gbps over a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network in all its service areas. Cox currently provides residential services in 645 areas in the following states.
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Virginia
- Florida
- California
- Connecticut
- Iowa
- North Carolina
- Idaho
- Massachusetts
- Nebraska
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Arizona
- Rhode Island
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Kansas
To see if Cox cable internet is available in your area, call Cox customer service at 855-349-9316.
How it Works?
In an HFC network, the operator’s headend connects to a neighborhood’s hub site via a fiber-optic cable. The hub site then connects to individual homes via a conventional cable network.
HFC networks allow for higher capacity and reliability than conventional cable networks by using fiber where high bandwidth is needed. It doesn’t require the entire cable network to be replaced, making it more affordable and easier to implement than all-fiber networks.
Here are some key benefits of HFC compared to other types of internet services.
Benefits of Cox Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Internet
Greater Speed Reliability
Internet speeds depend heavily on network load. The more people are streaming and downloading, there’s less bandwidth available for everyone. Fiber increases the total downstream capacity in your neighborhood, allowing for more consistent speeds even during peak usage hours.
Lower Latency
Higher capacity lowers the risk of network congestion and packet loss, keeping the latency low. Cox’s Elite Gamer service further lowers ping for gamers. It works by finding a shorter route to the game server, so data takes less time to transmit. Cox Panoramic WiFi includes Elite Gamer at no added cost.
Affordability
Fiber internet is still expensive for residential customers. Unless you want multi-gig symmetrical speeds, it may not be worth it. Cox hybrid fiber coaxial internet uses fiber where it can yield the most value, and bring the benefits of fiber to existing cable networks while keeping the service inexpensive.
Cox is also one of the few ISPs that transparently display their post-promotion prices on their offer pages, which is why Cox’s standard rates are very competitive. If Cox is available in your area, it’s likely the most cost-effective option in the long run.
Cox Internet Speeds and Prices
Go Fast
Go Fast is Cox’s starter fiber-powered internet plan with a max download speed of 100 Mbps. It also includes Panoramic WiFi equipment with Elite Gamer service. It costs $49.99 per month with no annual contract and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Go Faster
Cox Go Faster brings a max download speed of 250 Mbps. The standard price of this plan is $69.99 per month with no annual contract and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to cancel, upgrade, or downgrade your plan at no extra charge.
Go Even Faster
Go Even Faster is Cox’s most popular plan right now with a max download speed of 500 Mbps. It currently costs $69.99 for the first 12 months and has a standard price of $89.99. You can downgrade to a lower tier after 12 months if you want to save.
Go Super Fast
Go Super Fast makes fiber-powered 1 Gbps internet available everywhere Cox serves. It has a standard price of $119.99 a month, but you can get it at a promotion price of $99.99 a month for 12 months.
This offer requires a 1-year term agreement, after which you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel as you like. There’s still a 30-day money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.
If you don’t want to get into a term agreement, you can get it instead at $109.99 per month for the first year and $129.99 for the second year. But you’re not obligated to stick with the plan, so you can downgrade after the first year and save.
Go Beyond Fast
Go Beyond Fast is a fiber internet plan that brings 2 Gbps max download speeds wherever is available. It costs $149.99 a month with no annual contract or cancelation fees.
FAQs
How Much Is Cox Fiber?
Cox internet plans start at a standard price of $49.99 per month. Cox’s 2 Gbps plan is delivered via fiber and costs $149.99 a month. This is only available in limited areas.
Does Cox Have Fiber Optic?
Yes, Cox does offer fiber-to-the-home internet in some areas. If Cox all-fiber internet isn’t available where you live, Cox cable also uses power for the middle mile to bring speeds up to 1 Gbps.
Where Is Cox Fiber Available?
Cox is currently building its all-fiber networks in limited areas, including parts of Alachua, Putnam, Gilchrist, and Marion counties in Florida and New Kent County in Virginia. Cox cable internet is also powered by fiber everywhere it’s available.
Is Cox Fiber Good?
Cox all-fiber internet is fast, reliable, and inexpensive. It features multi-gig symmetrical speeds along with all the other benefits of fiber-to-the-home. Cox cable internet also takes advantage of fiber in the middle mile to provide high download speeds with greater reliability.
In a Nutshell
Cox offers all-fiber internet in some parts of its service areas. But Cox cable internet is powered by fiber everywhere, which increases max speeds and reliability for subscribers. Cox is working on fiber technology alongside DOCSIS 4.0 to continue improving its service everywhere.