Cox Communications Internet for Seniors

Cox at a Glance

Here are a few important things about Cox internet plans that really stand out to us:

Is Cox Internet a Good Option for Seniors?

Cox internet service is a great option for seniors because of its wide selection of plans available. Their plans offer internet speeds that range from 10 Mbps up to 940 Mbps, making them one of the fastest and most diverse providers in the industry. Many seniors who use the internet are first-timers and go online to learn new things, access entertainment like videos, movies and online music, and connect with family, friends and neighbors.4

The range of lower speeds offered by Cox can provide more than enough connectivity for these activities at a great price ranging from $29.99 to $39.99 per month, so even seniors on a tight budget or fixed income can stay connected. Cox internet is easy to install because it uses a cable connection, which many homes are already equipped with. That means you won't have to deal with complicated installation, and many seniors will even be able to do it themselves.

The Best Cox Internet Plans for Seniors

When comparing Cox's internet plans, several stood out as great options for seniors. The first plan is the Cox Internet Starter 10 plan. This is perfect for those first-time internet users who are learning to navigate the online environment. This plan starts at $29.99 per month for the first 12 months with a one-year contract. You get download speeds up to 10 Mbps, which is perfect for light web browsing, emailing, and social networking.

Many seniors have been using the internet for years and may need a bit more connection speed, especially if they use multiple devices such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. In this case, the Cox Internet Essential 50 is a great option. It starts at $39.99 per month, and just like the 10 Mbps plan, you'll need to sign a year-long contract. This plan offers speeds of up to 50 Mbps, which is more than enough for moderate web browsing, social networking, and light media streaming.

Lastly, the prepaid StraightUp Internet plan provides both speed and several value incentives. It starts at $50 per month with no contract, no hidden fees, and no credit check. The price is also locked in for three years. It provides speeds up to 25 Mbps, which is a happy medium between the Starter and Essential plans. You also get a free modem with this option. StraightUP is a great plan for seniors who don't want to commit to a long-term contract or who just have one or two devices connected to the internet at a time.

The Breakdown: Cox Internet Plans

Below we've broken down Cox's internet plans focusing on the price (lowest to highest), speed, connection, and features, so you can easily compare your options. Remember that all prices listed are promotional and will likely increase after a year of service. The one exception is the StraightUp plan, which lets you lock in your rates for three years.

Plan	Price	Speed	Connection	Contract, Early Termination Fees	Internet Usage
Cox Internet Starter 10	$29.99 per month	Up to 10 Mbps	Cable	Yes	Light
Cox Internet Essential 50	$39.99 per month	Up to 50 Mbps	Cable	Yes	Moderate
StraightUp Internet	$50 per month	Up to 25 Mbps	Cable	No	Light to Moderate
Cox Internet Preferred 150	$59.99 per month	Up to 150 Mbps	Cable	Yes	Heavy
Cox Internet Ultimate 500	$79.99 per month	Up to 500 Mbps	Cable	Yes	Heavy
Gigablast	$99.99 per month	Up to 940 Mbps	Cable	Yes	Very Heavy

How Seniors Can Save on Cox Internet Service

Unfortunately, Cox does not currently offer a senior-specific discount or internet plan. However, they still provide an option to save. Their Connect2Compete program provides discounted internet services for just $9.95 per month to low-income users, which some seniors may qualify for. Cox also recently announced that they will waive late fees for Connect2Complete customers through June 30th, 2021, and help create payment plans for those who are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandmeic.
To qualify for Connect2Compete, you must be a family with K-12 children who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program, Head Start, SNAP, WIC, LIHEAP, and/or TANF. You may also be eligible if you receive Tenant-Based Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers or Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) and/or live in Public Housing.

How Does Cox Compare to Other Industry Leading Internet Providers?

In order to assure the best review of Cox's internet service, we compared it to other leading internet providers:

Cox vs. Xfinity

Both of these providers offer a cable internet connection; however, Xfinity also offers fiber options, which is the industry's fastest type of internet. Xfinity has a wider coverage area, servicing over 40 states, while Cox currently only services 19. Cox offers more internet plans than Xfinity with a wide variety of speeds. Comparing the plans with similar speeds shows that Cox is slightly more expensive than Xfinity. For example, Cox's starter plan begins at $29.99 per month with speeds up to 10 Mbps, while Xfinity's starter plan is $24.99 per month with faster speeds up to 25 Mbps. Cox's fastest plan of up to 1000 Mbps is $99 while Xfinity's plan with the same speed is only $70 per month.

Cox vs. AT&T

AT&T offers DSL and fiber internet plans. AT&T has a larger coverage area than Cox, providing services in 21 states. Another important note is that some of Cox's internet plans require a two-year service agreement, while AT&T requires only one year. In terms of pricing, AT&T offers one set price of $49.99 per month with speeds depending on your area. This falls right in the mid-price range of Cox's internet plans, so Cox's starting plans will be less expensive than AT&T's. When comparing speeds, it's important to note that DSL internet is less reliable and typically delivers slower than advertised speeds, so AT&T's DSL plans will be less reliable than Cox's cable connection.

Cox vs. Centurylink

CenturyLink is a DSL and Fiber provider. While Cox offers a wider range of plan speeds and prices, Centurylink is less expensive for similar plans. For example, CenturyLink's plans with speeds up to 100 Mbps are $49.99 per month, while Cox's similar plans are $59.99 per month. Also, Centurylink offers a lifetime price guarantee on many of its plans, while Cox's prices will depend on the yearly service agreements. Again, CenturyLink's DSL plans will be less reliable and slower than Cox's cable plans, so unless you're going with a CenturyLink fiber plan, Cox may be the better option.

Bundle Your TV and Phone Service to Get the Best Deal with Cox

For many seniors, television is another important form of entertainment and source of information. If you are considering getting an internet plan in addition to your TV service, it may benefit you to bundle with one of Cox's packages.

Cox offers nine internet and TV bundles, and all of them include phone service as well. Below is a breakdown of Cox's Internet and TV bundles from the lowest price to highest. As with Cox's standalone internet plans, prices for these bundles will increase after one year.

Bundle	Contract	Internet Speed	TV Channels	Extras
$64.99 per month	None	Up to 10 Mbps	75+ depending on location	None
$74.99 per month	Two years	Up to 50 Mbps	75+ channels	None
$94.99 per month	Two years	Up to 50 Mbps	75+ channels	None
$109.99 per month	Two years	Up to 150 Mbps	140+ channels	None
$129.99 per month	Two years	Up to 500 Mbps	170+ channels	None
$141.99 per month	One year	Up to 50 Mbps	140+ channels	None
$149.99 per month	Two years	Up to 940 Mbps	170+ channels, HBO Max, Cinemax, STARZ, and SHOWTIME	Free install, one TV receiver rental
$149.99 per month	Two years	Up to 500 Mbps	250+ channels, HBO Max, Cinemax, STARZ, and SHOWTIME, and EPIX.	Free install, one TV receiver rental
$179.99 per month	Two years	Up to 940 Mbps	250+ channels, DVR, HBO Max, Cinemax, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and EPIX	Free install, one TV receiver rental

Cox Communications: A Quick History

Now that we've covered everything Cox offers to seniors, let's take a look at where it all started. Cox is a company that has a long history in the communications industry. Their parent company began all the way back in 1898 when they purchased their first newspaper. Over the decade, Cox began to acquire multiple media companies and broadcasting and cable businesses. In the 1980's they became Cox Communications. Cox Communications is one of the 3rd largest cable companies in the U.S. and serves over 6 million residences.5 They provide a variety of services including digital video, internet, and telephone service. Cox prides themselves on their industry-leading customer service and pioneering efforts in broadband development. Their mission is inclusive and forward-looking to “Empower People Today to Build a Better Future for the Next Generation.6”

Does Cox Check all the Boxes?

When looking for an internet provider, there are three main things you want your connection to be: fast, affordable, and reliable. Cox checks all of these boxes. If Cox is available in your area, you have access to one of the nation's largest cable internet providers. They offer a wide range of plans starting at $29.99 per month to meet virtually any of your needs, be it video calling with your family, researching your next vacation destination, or learning about a new hobby. They even provide plans that can handle the large bandwidth of users who host guests often or have a few people living in their household. While not the cheapest internet provider, Cox offers a moderately large coverage area with a strong and secure cable network, making sure you stay safe and connected.