The Facts
Many homes and offices cannot get the higher speed DSL because they are located too far from the telephone company’s central office. DSL circuits cannot maintain high-bandwidth connections past relatively short distances (such as 18,000 feet). In contrast, cable technology provides all customers equal access to high-speed services.
Of course, service levels depend on the specific Internet package selected by the customer, the specific cable company’s offerings and whether the access is for residential or commercial use. Overall, cable Internet subscribers can rest assured that cable has more bandwidth available than DSL.
The Facts
The DSL "deals" often disappear in the fine print. Consumers tempted by a DSL "deal" often find themselves obligated to deal with the same company’s local phone service. Phone service from the old phone company is often delivered via antiquated technology and is expensive, eliminating any cost advantages gained by a DSL discount.
While all broadband providers – including cable companies – use introductory price promotions to get people to try their services, the big difference is that Cox offers just that – an introductory rate with no long-term contract, lessening your risk while trying the service with no further obligations.
The Facts
There has been a lot of buzz about fiber networks recently. But did you know that Cox has used fiber in its network for years? By placing fiber to the home (FTTH), a phone company is hoping to deliver the same three services – video, phone and Internet – that Cox has delivered for years.
Cox uses a proven, reliable technology that is currently available to all Cox customers. Conversely, FTTH is a new service that will most likely be unavailable to the majority of consumers for awhile. And FTTH Internet service also requires special wiring (CAT-5, a.k.a. Ethernet wiring) which many homes do not have.
But let’s say that FTTH technology is available in your neighborhood and you have CAT-5 wiring in your home. Are you guaranteed to like the service? The FTTH service contracts often require a 12-month contract complete with early termination fees.
On the other hand, Cox has years of experience providing high-quality services with no annual contracts required. In fact, Cox’s high-speed Internet service has won multiple service satisfaction awards from J.D. Power and Associates and four PC Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Facts
Cable’s broadband infrastructure has a great future in store. Cox Communications – and most cable providers -- are currently using the DOCSIS 2.0 standard for high-speed Internet, which is technically capable of offering blazing download speeds up to over 30 Mbps per channel. DOCSIS is an evolving technology, and with DOCSIS 3.0 launching over the next few years, Cox will continue to meet even higher speed demands and provide robust features.
How does this compare to DSL? DSL technology is still delivered over the old copper, twisted-pair wiring used for plain old telephone service. DSL was created to squeeze more speed and capacity out of this existing wiring system, which was designed for low-speed, low-capacity voice communications. Much of this wiring may have been installed decades ago. Our cable network can deliver high-speed, high-capacity video, voice and Internet services to homes and businesses without relying on the local telephone network.
The Facts
Cox has two easy options that will get you up and running in no time:
- The Cox self-installation kit
- Professional home installation with an on-time guarantee
Cox self-installation is an inexpensive solution for the do-it-yourselfers. If you prefer to let someone else deal with the details, Cox experts can completely install and configure your home network, and customer care is available 24/7 to answer any questions. If you want to network more than one computer, Cox supports home networking for up to four computers sharing one Internet connection. Now that's easy - and economical.
The Facts
There are two easy ways to get Cox High Speed Internet, even if you don't currently have a cable outlet near your computer.
First, it’s easy and affordable to have a new cable outlet installed anywhere in your home. If a Cox technician is already scheduled to visit your home, it is typically around $20 to have that technician install an additional outlet during that same visit. If installing an additional cable outlet is the only reason a Cox technician is making a house call, the cost is approximately $30. Prices vary by market, so be sure to contact your local Cox office to get the details and to schedule an appointment. The benefits of an additional cable outlet are not limited to Cox High Speed Internet service – a single cable outlet can also provide access to Cox Digital Television and Cox Digital Telephone service.
The second option is implementing a wireless (WiFi) home network. WiFi is an easy and convenient way to enjoy high-speed Internet throughout your home. A wireless gateway can be attached to your existing cable outlet and enable Internet access to computers within 100-300 feet indoors. This home networking option provides flexibility and mobility.
The Facts
Cable networks have dedicated frequencies for delivering video, voice and Internet services without congestion. Cox even has additional bandwidth reserved for the next generation of services yet to be developed due to the 1 GHz capacity of much of its network and plant. Telephone lines are limited to approximately 1 MHz of bandwidth, which must be shared between voice and data services. Since cable services all use distinctly different channels, you can watch TV, talk on the phone and surf the Internet simultaneously without impacting any individual service.
The Facts
Cox offers our high-speed Internet customers multiple layers of protection. From a network perspective, Cox uses DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) compliant cable modems and equipment which encrypts our customers’ data as it flows through the network. With Baseline Privacy Interface (BPI), Cox controls distribution of encryption keys to its customers’ cable modems from its master telecommunications center and hub sites. Policing and filtering functions are used to reduce risks from attacks targeted at a customer’s PC.
Cox also offers a free software security suite to every Cox High Speed Internet customer. This Cox Security Suite powered by McAfee offers a personal firewall, anti-spyware, anti-virus, pop-up blocker, spam-blocker and parental controls. Activating these features give you the latest protection against a variety of online threats.
The Facts
If you’d like, you can sign up for Cox High Speed Internet service only – you are not required to combine it with Cox video or phone service. However, there are many benefits to signing up for more than one Cox service including:
- Discounts – more than one Cox service often qualifies customers for a discount
- Fewer bills to pay – all Cox services are consolidated into one bill. So, instead of paying three separate bills for phone, video and Internet, you can just have one.
- Customer Care – Cox has high standards for customer care, and only one phone number to call 24/7 for help with any of our three services.
The Facts
It is important to stick to your personal budget. But when considering high-speed Internet access, factor in all the savings and efficiencies the service can bring.
The most obvious savings is time – a high-speed Internet connection is "always on," which means you don’t have to wait for a dial-up connection every time you want to access the Internet. It’s easier to get online quickly and more spontaneously, for reasons such as looking up phone numbers or store hours.
Faster speeds also improve your efficiency, as you can research your purchases before you go to the store. Most trips to the mall or store can be cancelled altogether, as online shopping makes it easy to make purchases without leaving the house. High-speed Internet access also makes it easier to download larger files, so sharing photos with friends and family can happen in a snap. Overall, a high-speed Internet connection can save time, gas money, wear and tear on your car – and puts you in touch with friends, family and a wealth of entertainment and information.
