Cox Internet for Seniors | Cox Low Cost Senior Internet & Discounts

Over the last decade, we've seen an increase in senior internet usage, with 73 percent of adults 65 and older reporting online activity.1 Internet usage is associated with decreased levels of depression,2 with online learning increasing neural activity and overall health in older adults.3 What's more, the internet greatly improves the quality of life for older adults and helps them stay connected with loved ones.

If you're looking for a new internet provider, Cox offers reliable and fast internet with many options for bundling TV and phone service. With speeds ranging from 50 to 1,000 Mbps, you can find plans starting at $29.99 per month for 12 months. Compared to companies like AT&T, Cox provides affordable packages to meet your budget and internet needs. In this guide, we'll discuss pricing, plans, and ways for seniors to save on high-speed internet.

What We Like About Cox

Free next-day delivery: If you need internet installed right away, Cox provides free next-day delivery in select areas for customers placing orders for Cox internet, TV, and voice services.
Wide range of plans and prices: Cox offers a vast selection of high-speed internet plans and TV bundles for every user. Whether you're an infrequent or moderate internet user, Cox offers consistent pricing for purchasing services online, by phone, or in-store.
Risk-free trial period: Cox offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can take more time to figure out if their internet service is right for you.
Over 3 million Wi-Fi hotspots: Cox customers have access to over 3 million free Wi-Fi hotspots across the U.S. This means you can get online faster from any location — even when you're away from home.
Strong security: Cox internet plans come with the McAfee-powered Cox Security Suite to protect your devices from viruses and malware.

Things to Keep in Mind About Cox

Service agreement and contracts: Most Cox internet plans come with a service agreement and are subject to early termination fees if you need to cancel service after 30 days.
Limited data: Cox has a 1.25 TB data cap on their internet plans, meaning you might experience lower speeds or overage charges if you surpass this amount of data. Excess usage is $10 per additional 50 GB, with exceptions for certain subscribers. However, most users won't go through anywhere near 1.25 TB of data in a month, so this won't be a concern for most seniors.
Limited availability: Cox has limited availability and coverage in only 19 states compared to internet providers like Xfinity, which offers coverage across 39 states.

Cox Internet Plans and Speeds at a Glance

Plan	Price	Speed	Connection	Contracts and early termination fees	Internet usage
Cox Internet Starter 25	$29.99 per month	Up to 25 Mbps	Cable	Yes	Light
Cox Internet Essential 50	$39.99 per month	Up to 50 Mbps	Cable	Yes	Light to moderate
StraightUp Internet (month to month)	$50 per month	Up to 100 Mbps	Cable	No	Moderate
Cox Internet Preferred 250	$59.99 per month	Up to 250 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 1,000 Mbps	Cable	Yes	Very heavy

Remember that all prices are subject to change and you might see a slight increase during the second year of service.

The Breakdown: Cox Internet Plans for Seniors

When you're comparing Cox's internet plans, it's important to look into your internet habits. For light or new internet users, the Cox Internet Starter 25 Plan might be a great option. For older adults who enjoy streaming shows and checking emails across multiple devices, upgrading to the Cox Internet Essential 50 Plan might be a better option.

Cox Internet Starter 25 Plan: Perfect for Beginners and Light Internet Users

We recommend the Cox Internet Starter 25 Plan for seniors who spend a few hours per week using the internet. This plan is perfect for first-time internet users who want to send emails or upload pictures from their vacations to Facebook. This plan starts at $29.99 per month for the first 12 months with a one-year contract. With download speeds up to 25 Mbps, it's perfect for those who enjoy basic internet activities such as light web browsing, emailing, and social networking.

FYI: If you're new to the world of internet providers and plans and want to learn more, visit our internet buyers guide for seniors. We cover topics like how to get the best deal on your internet plan, tips for staying safe online, and how to choose the right provider.

Cox Internet Essential 50 Plan: For Seniors Who Want Faster Speeds

This plan is our pick for older adults who are comfortable using the internet and looking for higher speeds across multiple devices. The Cox Internet Essential 50 Plan starts at $39.99 per month, and, just like the Cox Internet Starter 25 Plan, it requires a one-year contract. This plan comes with speeds up to 50 Mbps, which is fast enough for moderate web browsing, checking social media, and streaming shows on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Good to know: In addition to high-speed internet, Cox offers Voice Home Phone, which lets you make unlimited calls to friends and family in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Cox StraightUp Internet Plan: Perfect for Those Who Don't Like Contracts

Lastly, the prepaid StraightUp Internet Plan provides both speed and several value incentives. It starts at $50 per month with no contracts, hidden fees, or credit checks. The price is also locked in for three years, which is a plus for those who want consistency and no price hikes. This plan provides speeds up to 100 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 and or just have one or two devices connected to the internet at a time.

Does Cox Offer a Senior Internet Discount?

Unfortunately, Cox does not currently offer a senior discount for internet plans. However, they provide other ways for seniors to save on internet services. For example, the Connect2Compete program provides discounted internet services for low-income families at $9.95 per month. To qualify for Connect2Compete, your household must have at least one K-12 student and participate in a government assistance program. As another incentive, the Connect2Compete program requires no annual contracts, and some low-income seniors might be eligible. You may be able to get free Cox internet if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Visit the ACP website to see if you qualify.

Pro Tip: Cox offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free.

Is Cox Available in My Area?

Cox provides high-speed internet service, along with TV, phone, and home security coverage for both residences and businesses. To check whether Cox is available in your area, we recommend entering your ZIP code on the company's website.

Buyer's tip: On a tight budget? Visit our list of the best cheap internet providers for seniors to compare affordable plans.

Pricing for plans varies by location, so if you want to find the best deals in your area, be sure to type in your residential or business address along with your ZIP code to find the latest promotions and deals. While not the absolute cheapest internet provider, Cox offers a moderately large coverage area with a strong and secure cable network to keep you connected.

Cox Bundles to Get the Best Deal

For many older adults, television is an important form of entertainment and source of information. If you want a reliable internet plan in addition to your TV service, you might consider bundling your internet with one of Cox's TV packages. As a perk, base equipment is included for all TV, Homelife, and Voice plans. A one-year term agreement is required for all Cox bundles.

FYI: Qualifying households can get up to $30 per month toward internet service and equipment with help from the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program.

Cox currently offers eight internet and TV bundles for moderate to heavy usage. Below is a breakdown of Cox's internet and TV bundles. As with Cox's stand-alone internet plans, prices for these bundles will increase after one year.

Bundle name	Cost	Contract	Download speeds	TV channels	Available add-ons and extras
Cox Internet Essential 50 + Contour Stream Player	$44.99 per month	1 year	Up to 50 Mbps	Streaming only	Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway, or secure Wi-Fi coverage in your home, for $12 per month
Cox Internet Preferred 250 + Contour Stream Player	$64.99 per month	1 year	Up to 250 Mbps	Streaming only	HBO Max blockbuster movies, originals, and more for $14.99 per month
Cox Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour Stream Player	$84.99 per month	1 year	Up to 500 Mbps	Streaming only	HBO Max blockbuster movies, originals, and more for $14.99 per month
Cox Internet Gigablast + Contour Stream Player	$104.99 per month	1 year	Up to 1,000 Mbps	Streaming only	None
Cox Internet Essential 50 + Contour TV Preferred	$137.99 per month	1 year	Up to 50 Mbps	140+	None
Cox Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred	$157.99 per month	1 year	Up to 250 Mbps	140+	None
Cox Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred	$177.99 per month	1 year	Up to 500 Mbps	140+	Additional channels, additional boxes, and DVR service
Cox Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred	$197.99 per month	1 year	Up to 1,000 Mbps	140+	Additional channels, additional boxes, and DVR service

How Does Cox Compare to Other Internet Providers?

To help you decide on the best internet plan for your needs, we've compared Cox with other leading internet providers:

Cox vs. Xfinity

While both of these providers offer a reliable cable internet connection, Xfinity internet plans include fast fiber internet options. Xfinity has a wider coverage area, servicing over 40 states, while Cox currently services 18. However, Cox offers more internet plans than Xfinity. When comparing plans with similar speeds, we've found that Cox is slightly more expensive than Xfinity. Cox's Starter plan, for example, begins at $29.99 per month with speeds of up to 25 Mbps, while Xfinity's Connect plan is $30 per month for speeds of up to 50 Mbps, depending on location. Cox's fastest plan offers download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps and is priced at $99.99 per month, while Xfinity's plan offers speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps for only $80 per month for 12 months.

Cox vs. AT&T

In addition to their wireless and mobile services, AT&T offers fiber internet plans. AT&T Internet has a larger coverage area than Cox, providing services in 21 states. Additionally, AT&T offers fiber internet plans starting at $55 per month for up to 300 Mbps. For comparison, Cox offers their Internet Preferred 250 plan with cable speeds up to 250 Mbps for $59.99 per month. Both providers offer speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. The main differences between the two are the price and the connection type.

Quick tip: Want to learn more about these top providers and how they compare? Visit our list of the best internet providers for seniors.

Cox vs. CenturyLink

CenturyLink offers fewer internet plan choices than Cox. Cox offers more flexible plans and speeds up to 1,000 Mbps at a slightly higher price. For example, CenturyLink's plans with speeds up to 100 Mbps are $50 per month, while Cox's Internet Preferred 250 plan starts at $59.99 per month. Also, CenturyLink offers a lifetime price guarantee on many of their plans, while Cox's prices depend on yearly service agreements. CenturyLink's DSL plans may be less reliable and slower than Cox's cable plans, so unless you're going with a CenturyLink fiber plan, Cox tends to be a better option.

The Bottom Line on Cox

When searching for a new internet provider, you want a fast, reliable, and affordable connection. Fortunately, Cox checks all of these boxes. As one of the nation's largest cable internet providers, Cox offers several plans, starting at $29.99 per month with speeds ranging from 25 to 1,000 Mbps. Whether you're a light, moderate, or heavy internet user, Cox offers a variety of plans and bundles to help you stay connected with loved ones. While most plans require a one-year term agreement, Cox offers a strong and secure cable network for all your internet needs. If you want secure and reliable Wi-Fi coverage at affordable prices, Cox is worth considering.

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