Cox Digital Telephone FAQ's
How does Cox Digital Telephone work?
Cox Digital Telephone is supported by Cox's extensive digital,
fiber-optic cable network, which has been upgraded to handle
two-way voice transmissions. This network is interconnected
to other local phone companies so customers can call anyone,
anywhere, regardless of their phone company. To activate
phone service, a Network Interface Unit (NIU) – a
small device similar to that installed by other phone companies
-- is installed on the side of the house to connect signals
from the outside wiring to the inside wiring in the home.
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Why is Cox offering Local and Long
Distance telephone service?
Our customers have told us that they would like a choice
in local telephone providers. As has been demonstrated in
many other industries, competition results in several benefits
to consumers. Local telephone service is just one part of
our long-term strategy to offer our customers a full-service
package of communications services. Our customers will be
able to rely on Cox to meet all of their communications needs
with reliable, top-quality products and services, including
cable television, telephone services and high-speed Internet
access. Only a communications company like Cox that has invested
time and money into upgrading its cable network has the ability
to deliver video, voice and data services over a single platform.
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Why is Cox -- a cable company -- allowed
to offer local telephone service?
Cox is no longer just a cable company. With the launch of
Cox Digital Telephone, Cox now offers a full slate of communications
services, including high speed access to the Internet and
local and long distance telephone services. The Telecommunications
Act of 1996 deregulated the telecommunications industry,
legally permitting cable companies to enter into the local
telephone service market for the first time. We are able
to launch our service so quickly because we have been anticipating
this opportunity and have been upgrading our delivery network
for nearly 10 years.
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How will customers benefit from Cox's
local phone service?
Cox customers will be able to enjoy the convenience and security
of having all of their communications needs met by one company
with a track record of providing a reliable, high-quality
product and superior customer service.
Cox Digital Telephone also will be a better value -- additional
phone lines, which more consumers are now requesting to meet
their expanding communications needs, will be much less expensive
than our competitors', up to 50% less, because our broadband
network has much more capacity, making it easier and less
costly for us to provide additional lines.
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What are Cox's long distance rates?
Cox Long Distance offers simplicity and very competitive
long distance rates. Our standard long distance rate is
15 cents per minute in the United States. Our U.S. Savings
plan rate is 7 cents per minute* - all day, every day.
* A low monthly fee of $3.95 is charged for the U.S. Savings
Plan
In addition to great rates Cox customers have the benefit
of enjoying the convenience of just one bill for both local
and long distance charges.
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Will I be able to call people who
use other local telephone companies?
Yes, the Cox network will be connected to other local telephone
companies, so you will be able to call anyone, anywhere,
regardless of what phone company they use.
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Why would I switch?
Better technology, better customer service and better value.
Cox's digital broadband network provides the reliability
you'd expect from a premier telecommunications company,
and we provide the best customer service in the cable industry.
As for prices, Cox Digital Telephone offers significant
savings over your current provider, plus savings on second
lines and features such as Call Waiting, Caller ID or Voicemail.
Finally, our long distance plans that are straightforward
and easy to understand; no confusing time of day restrictions
or minimum spending requirements. Your rate will always
be the same, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
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Will I need a converter box or some
other device in my house?
Cox will install a Network Interface Unit (NIU) on the side
of your house. The NIU is small - approximately 9 inches
by 10 inches - and similar to the device other phone companies
install to take signals from the outside wiring and connect
them to the inside wiring in your home.
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Will my current telephones work?
Yes.
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Can I make a phone call and watch
TV at the same time?
Yes. In fact, you can also be surfing the Internet with Cox
High Speed Internet. Cox's broadband network allows you to
use multiple appliances simultaneously.
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If my cable goes out, will my phone go
out too?
Not necessarily, because cable outages can occur for a variety
of reasons that may not affect the telephone lines. Cox's
Network Operations Center constantly monitors the network
for potential problems, quickly identifies interruptions
in service, and remedies the problem. In addition, if the
problem is an electrical power outage, Cox provides back-up
power so your phone keeps working.
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Will my phone and cable service be on
one bill?
Today a combined Cable, High Speed Data and Telephone bill
is available for your convenience. Ask your Customer
Service Representative for details.
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Can I choose any long distance company?
Yes, and Cox Long Distance offers two long distance plans
that are competitive and simple to understand:
1) Cox basic Long distance provides great value - 15 cents
per minute for in-state and state-to-state anywhere in the
United States - all day, every day!
The Cox U.S. Savings plan offers a rate of 7 cents per minute
for in-state and state-to-state anywhere in the United States
- all day, every day, for a low monthly fee of $3.95!
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What areas are serviceable today?
How long will it take to service the rest of the areas?
At this time Cox Digital Telephone is available in Newport
News, Williamsburg, Portsmouth, Norfolk, parts of Hampton,
parts of Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. Our services will
continue to roll out based upon on the installation of fiber
optic cable and the hardware required to facilitate the return
of the digital signal back to the serving Head End or MTC.
Cox Communications is aggressively pursuing the installation
of these facilities and has committed millions of dollars
to complete the process.
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How good will the voice quality be?
Cox's digital broadband network provides excellent voice
quality that meets today's telecommunication standards.
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What phone books will our information
go in?
The same directory that they currently reside in.
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What makes Cox Digital Telephone better
than its competitors?
Cox Digital Telephone is provided over digital fiber-optic
network that has made Cox first in reliability. Our state-of-the
art technology assures you of crystal-clear connections and,
to keep your phone service trouble-free, we monitor the network
24 hours a day.
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Will Cox Digital Telephone lines work
with regular computer modems?
Yes, Cox telephone service also works with dial-up modems.
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Is Cox renting its phone line from
another service provider?
No, Cox Communications is a facilities-based provider. That
means all of our services are provided over a network that
we've built and monitor.
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Can I keep my current phone number?
Yes, in most instances, you can! Local Number Portability
(LNP) allows a customer to change local exchange carriers
and maintain their current telephone number, even though
they are now serviced by a different provider.
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Does someone have to be home at the time of install?
Yes, it is important that we make sure that the phone jacks
in your home have dial tone and that all of the services
that you requested are in working order before we leave.
We will attach a Network Interface Unit (NIU) to the side
of the your home (usually where the other utilities are located),
test phone lines and jacks, verify services and test outgoing
and incoming call ability.
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What is an Network Interface Unit (NIU)?
A Network Interface Unit (NIU) is the device placed on the
side of a customer's house that connects incoming signals
to the wiring inside a customer's home. Cox's NIU is similar
to the device that other phone companies utilize.
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Will the house have to be re-wired?
Usually not. There might be a time when our customer wants
an outlet in a place that is not pre-wired or there is
a problem with the existing pre-wire but this is the exception,
not the rule.
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Is there a fee to switch to Cox Long Distance?
There is no charge to switch over to Cox Long Distance. And,
Cox Long Distance is simple and affordable. Calls in the
U.S. are just .07 or .15 cents a minute, depending on the
plan you choose.
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What's the difference between intra-state
and inter-state?
Intra-state refers to calls that originate and terminate
within the same state. Inter-state calls originate in one
state and terminate in another. For example, a call from
Norfolk to Williamsburg is considered intra-state, while
a call from Virginia Beach to Houston, TX is inter-state.
Cox Communications is licensed to provide both intra and
inter-state services to our customers.
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What are some of the FCC charges that
I see on my bill for?
The Universal Fund Fee was created by the FCC to help provide
affordable telecommunications services for low-income families,
to remote areas and advanced services, such as Internet access,
to eligible organizations. All long distance carriers pay
into this fund. The Carrier Line Fee helps recover a portion
of fees paid to local telephone companies for access.
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With Cox Digital Telephone, will
directory assistance be available? How much will it cost?
Directory Assistance is available with Cox Digital Telephone
service. Directory Assistance is $1.50 for each use.
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