Cox Internet is powered by fiber everywhere, but it’s 100% Cox fiber internet is only available in some areas. What does Cox mean by “fiber-powered?” We can assure you that it’s not a marketing gimmick—it implies something specific to Cox’s networks. 

Here we look at Cox’s fiber presence and explain the difference between 100% fiber and fiber-powered internet. We also explain the benefits of each to help you decide if Cox Internet is right for you. Let’s start with Cox’s all-fiber internet. 

Cox Fiber Internet Explained

Cox Fiber offers fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) connections in some service areas. FTTP internet uses 100% fiber from the headway to your home. It brings symmetrical speeds (the same bandwidth for downloads and uploads), increased reliability, lower latency, and all the other benefits of fiber internet. 

How FTTP Works

Fiber Optic Cabling

The heart of FTTP technology is its Cox Fiber optic cables. These cables consist of thin strands of glass or plastic that can carry data over long distances at the speed of light.

Fiber Distribution

FTTP networks are designed with a distribution of fibers that extend from a central office or data center to individual homes or premises. Each fiber can serve multiple subscribers.

Optical Network Terminal (ONT)

To connect the fiber optic network to individual homes, an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) is installed at the subscriber’s location. The ONT converts the optical signal into an electrical one that can be used by the subscriber’s devices.

Home Network

From the ONT, the internet signal is distributed to the subscriber’s devices via Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi routers, providing high-speed connectivity throughout the home.

Benefits of FTTP

Dazzling Speed

FTTP offers some of the fastest internet speeds available, with symmetrical upload and download speeds that can reach gigabit (1 Gbps) or even multi-gigabit levels. 

Low Latency

The speed and efficiency of fiber optics result in extremely low latency, which is crucial for online gaming, real-time communication, and responsive web browsing.

Reliability

Fiber optics are less susceptible to interference from electrical or environmental factors, leading to more stable and reliable internet connections.

Scalability

FTTP networks are highly scalable, allowing for easy upgrades to meet increasing bandwidth demands without significant infrastructure changes.

Future-Proof

FTTP is the most future-proof type of internet service today. We may be approaching the limits of conventional cable, but FTTP is predicted to suffice for the next 30 years or so. As for the speed limits of FTTP, we haven’t a clue. 

Limitation of FTTP

Availability

Bringing FTTP to new areas is expensive. FTTP is primarily available in urban areas. Building fiber networks in less populated areas is even costlier, which makes increasing the percentage of homes with access to fiber progressively costly.

Fiber Installation Cost

Homeowners may have to cover some of the costs associated with installing fiber in the home. These costs can amount to up to $5000 depending on the area and the ISP.

Cox Fiber-Powered Internet Explained

Cox Fiber FTTP is only available in some areas, but it uses fiber to connect the nodes to the headend, everywhere. Fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) is what Cox means by “fiber-powered” internet. FTTN connections feature higher speeds and are more reliable than conventional networks. Combined with DOCSIS 3.1, FTTN allows Cox to provide gig speeds everywhere. 

How FTTN Works

Fiber Backbone

FTTN networks utilize fiber optic cables as the backbone of the infrastructure. Fiber optics are capable of carrying vast amounts of data at incredibly high speeds by transmitting data as pulses of light. This high-capacity backbone ensures fast and reliable internet connectivity to the local distribution point, aka the node.

Node Placement

Nodes are strategically placed within neighborhoods and communities. These nodes are often located in small cabinets or equipment enclosures along the roadside. Each node serves a certain number of homes or businesses in its vicinity.

Last-Mile Copper/Coaxial Connection

From the node to individual premises, traditional copper telephone lines or coaxial cables are used. These copper or coaxial cables are responsible for the “last-mile” connection, which is the segment of the network that directly links the node to a user’s home or business.

VDSL Technology

Within FTTN networks, a technology called Very High Bitrate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) is commonly employed. VDSL allows for high-speed data transmission over copper or coaxial cables by optimizing the signal quality and reducing interference.

Benefits of FTTN

Cost-Efficiency

FTTN is often more cost-effective to deploy compared to fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) because it uses existing cable infrastructure.

Faster Deployment

FTTN can be rolled out more quickly than FTTP, making it a practical choice for extending broadband coverage to areas that lack high-speed internet access.

Improved Speeds

FTTN can provide significantly faster speeds than conventional cable, 5G home internet, satellite, and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connections.

Limitations of FTTN

Distance Sensitivity

The quality and speed of the connection can degrade with greater distances from the node.

Copper Limitations

Copper cables have limitations in terms of speed and capacity compared to fiber optics, and their performance can be affected by environmental factors and aging infrastructure.

Upstream Speeds

While download speeds are usually decent, FTTN connections may have limited upload speeds due to the use of cable in the last mile.

Cox Fiber and Fiber-Powered Internet Plans

Cox Fiber prices and details are the same whether it’s delivered to your home via an FTTP connection or an FTTN connection. Some speeds may be not available everywhere. Be sure to reach out to Cox customer service or Cox en Español for information on availability and other related details.

Here are the current speeds and prices of the current Cox internet plans.

Go Fast

Priced at just $49.99 per month, this plan provides an impressive download speed of 100 Mbps, making it an excellent choice for households with moderate internet usage. Included in this package is the Cox Fiber Panoramic WiFi Gateway, ensuring seamless wall-to-wall wireless coverage.

Go Faster

For only $69.99 per month, you can enjoy the Go Faster plan, boasting a download speed of 250 Mbps. Like other Cox Fiber plans, this option comes with the added benefit of no annual contract, delivering a consistently reliable internet experience thanks to the advanced DOCSIS 3.1 network.

Go Even Faster

With the Go Even Faster plan, available at the standard rate of $89.99 per month, you can experience an impressive 500 Mbps download speed. Users have the flexibility to tailor their plans to meet their evolving needs, all without the constraints of a long-term contract.

Go Super Fast

The Go Super Fast plan offers an unmatched maximum download speed of 1000 Mbps, ensuring that even bandwidth-intensive activities like 4K streaming and large downloads won’t compromise your internet experience. While the regular price stands at $119.99 per month, a current promotion reduces it to $109.99 a month for f24 months, and there’s still no annual contract required.

Go Beyond Fast

As the pinnacle of internet speed, the Go Beyond Fast plan delivers a staggering 2 Gbps download speed, all for just $149.99 per month. This plan is only available in select areas. 

Conclusion

Cox Fiber offers 100% Cox Fiber internet (fiber-to-the-premises connection) in some areas and fiber-powered internet (fiber-to-the-node) connections in others. Reliability, prices, and details are the same regardless of the type of connection.