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Cox Internet vs. 5g Home Internet

Don’t put a cell tower in charge of your home internet connection

The price point for 5G home internet may sound appealing, but Cox's fiber-based network delivers faster and more reliable download speeds than 5G home internet providers1, without the many variables.

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Illustration of cell tower emitting 5g through the air for home internet

Cox internet delivers faster and more reliable download speeds than 5G home internet1

Imagine every cell phone, tablet, computer and TV in your neighborhood and beyond. With 5G home internet, a cell signal is trying to navigate around buildings, trees and windows to power cell phones and other devices, including your devices and your home internet connection. With Cox, you get the speed you need via a wired-in service that’s reliable for you.

Cox Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet functionality

From offering reliable speeds 24/7 to powering all your home's connected devices and more, Cox Internet delivers for you all day.

Cox Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet functionality features and Benefits comparison chart

1. In Cox serviceable areas only. Speeds vary and are not guaranteed.
 

2. Available to customers with Cox High Speed Internet. See https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/cox-hotspots.html for coverage areas and hotspot locations.
 

3. Requires Technicolor CGM4981 version of the Cox Panoramic Wifi Gateway with Wi-Fi 6E technology.
 

4. Requires Cox Panoramic Wifi Gateway.

Cox Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet speeds per hour

Industry data shows that Cox service delivers fast speeds throughout the day, while T-Mobile 5G Home Internet service is prone to intermittency.

Cox Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet speeds per hour median download speeds during the day line graph

Chart is based on Cox's analysis of Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data for median download speeds in Cox serviceable areas for Q1 2023. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

Cox Internet: The right solution for access, speed and reliability

Cox Internet offers a range of fast, reliable speed tiers so you can choose the speed that's right for your home. With 5G home internet, there are no defined speed tiers. This means 5G home internet customers can experience a range of speeds depending on network congestion and time of day. T-Mobile Home Internet customers can expect to see typical download speeds between 33 Mbps to 182 Mbps.2

Cox Internet is the faster and more reliable option because it can deliver download speeds of up to 2 Gbps (2,000 Mbps) in select areas, with availability of 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) everywhere we serve. Plus, Cox Internet customers can choose the speed tier that’s right for their needs.

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You qualify for FREE Cox Internet, saving up to $30/mo. through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

You qualify to save up to $30/mo. through the Affordable Connectivity Program and may be eligible for FREE Cox Internet with Connect2Compete.

You qualify to save up to $30/mo. through the Affordable Connectivity Program and may be eligible for FREE Cox Internet with Connect Assist.

You qualify to save up to $30/mo. through the Affordable Connectivity Program with Cox Internet.

You may apply to qualify for FREE Cox Internet, saving up to $30/mo. through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

See if you qualify for FREE Cox Internet, saving up to $30/mo. through the Affordable Connectivity Program. Enter your address to find out if you qualify!

Credit typically begins within 1 bill cycle; limited-time program; subject to change; other restrictions apply. Learn more.

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Here's a family-friendly deal just for you

Get Connect2Compete, affordable home internet that’s available to those who have at least one child in K-12 school and currently participate in an income-based assistance program.

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What is 5G home internet?

5G home internet uses nearby cell towers/mobile hubs to send a signal to the modem, router or internet gateway in your home, and that cell signal powers your home internet service. The speed and reliability of that signal can be influenced by several factors.

Factors that can influence the speed and reliability of 5G home internet service

  • Distance between the cell tower and the home

  • Number of users connected to the cell tower during peak times

  • Any cluster or existence of trees in the area

  • Current weather patterns

  • How many windows the home has

  • Any buildings or nearby homes, materials like concrete and metal

  • Number of devices needing simultaneous internet access within the home

  • Placement of the modem, router, or internet gateway in the home

The many advantages of Cox Internet

You rely on your internet connection to power multiple devices, at any time of day, for multiple users doing multiple activities. That’s why Cox Internet supports you seamlessly in a number of ways.

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Fiber-based network

Cox uses in-ground wiring to deliver a more stable internet connection with faster, more reliable speeds than 5G home internet providers.1

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Multi-gig speeds

Our internet download speeds go up to 2 Gbps (2,000 Mbps) in select areas, and availability of 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) extends to everywhere we serve.

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Rated for reliability

According to industry authority Ookla, Cox has more reliable speeds than 5G home internet.1

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Power more devices

Our fast speeds also mean customers can power more connected devices in the home than with the speeds experienced from 5G home internet service.

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Wall-to-wall coverage

Cox’s fast, reliable wired-in internet can reach every corner of your home with our Panoramic Wifi service, featuring our gateway and room pods.

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Free equipment upgrades

Our Panoramic Wifi customers get software updates as needed, along with free equipment upgrades every three years.

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More speed options

With Cox, you can change your home internet speed whenever your needs change. And the plan price you see online is our best price, period. No surprises.

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Wifi hotspots

As a Cox customer, you get to take your internet service on-the-go when you leave home via our more than four million wifi hotspots — all at no charge.

5G Home Internet FAQs

Your questions answered

5G stands for "fifth generation," the most recent version of cellular/mobile technology. Although 5G is a cellular/mobile technology, it can also be used to deliver internet service to a home.

The two types of 5G services:

  • Traditional mobile service
  • Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) – also referred to as “5G home internet”

5G vs. 5 Gbps and 5 GHz
It’s important to note that 5G is different than 5 Gbps (5 gigabits per second, which is an internet speed) and 5 GHz (a setting you might see on your wifi router).

5G home internet uses nearby cell towers/mobile hubs to send a signal to the modem, router or gateway in your home. That cell signal is what powers a customer’s 5G Home Internet service.

Factors that can influence the speed and reliability of 5G home internet service

The speed and reliability of 5G Home Internet can be unpredictable and influenced by several factors, like:

  1. The distance between the cell tower and the home

  2. The number of users connected to the cell tower in the area, especially during peak times (i.e. when mobile/internet users are on connected devices between 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.)

  3. Trees

  4. Weather

  5. Windows

  6. Buildings, nearby homes, materials like concrete and metal

  7. The number of devices needing simultaneous internet access within the home

  8. Placement of the modem, router, or internet gateway in the home

Because 5G Home Internet providers like T-Mobile rely on their cellular network to also provide their 5G Home Internet services, they prioritize users on their network to manage network traffic and congestion. T-Mobile acknowledges that they prioritize customers of their Mobile plans over customers of their Home Internet plans, and those Home Internet customers “may notice reduced speeds in comparison to customers with a higher priority during network congestion.”

Our industry is changing rapidly — so much so that it can be hard to keep up with the terminology.

The term cable, for example, has a couple of meanings. First, cable refers to the subscription-based programming service that delivers broadcast network programming to your television.

Secondly, cable can refer to hardware that is used to deliver a ‘wired-in’ internet connection directly to a business, home or residence — such as ethernet cable and/or coaxial cable.

The term 5G home internet, on the other hand, refers to a cellular-based home internet connection. With 5G home internet, which is sometimes referred to as “home internet” by 5G home internet providers, a home internet connection relies on a cellular tower to send a signal into a home or residence. The strength of that signal can be influenced by a number of factors, including but not limited to the number of users reliant on it and the physical obstacles the cell signal must travel around, from buildings to trees and other obstacles.

Some internet service providers (ISPs), such as T-Mobile, are talking about 5G home internet, or home internet powered by a cellular signal, when they make references to the term "home internet."

Cox refers to home internet as your internet connection at home. Cox’s wired-in service is faster and more reliable than 5G home internet, with download speeds that are twice as fast during peak usage hours, according to industry authority Ookla.3

No. Cox offers a wired-in home internet connection that is faster and more reliable than 5G home internet connections,1 which are dependent on a cellular signal.

There are two things that every home internet user should know about internet speeds.

First, internet speeds can vary by internet service provider (ISP), product offering (for example, wired-in internet service or cellular-based home internet service), and geographic location.

Second, there are a few key factors that influence what you experience as your internet speed, such as:

 

  • Download speed. The speed at which an internet connection gets to your device is what’s generally thought of as your internet speed.

  • Upload speed. This is your internet connection going in the other direction – measuring how fast data can make its way from your device to the internet.

  • Symmetrical speeds. When your download and upload speeds are equal, you have the best of both worlds — which can make it easier for you to attend online meetings, livestream, upload to social media, and get your gaming on.


With 5G home internet speeds, sometimes referred to as “home internet” service by 5G home internet providers, a home’s internet connection is powered by a signal coming from a cellular tower. The speed and strength of that signal can vary widely, depending on demands being placed on the cell tower(s) and the physical objects between the cell tower and the home.

Additionally, you may not be able to get symmetrical speeds — or download and upload speeds that are equivalent to each other — with 5G home internet service. This can impact your ability to attend video meetings, livestream, upload content to social media or the cloud, and participate in gaming activities.

A note about pricing

Prices exclude taxes, surcharges, usage-based charges, certain equipment, and other fees or charges, which are subject to change. If your package includes internet, promotional period runs from first installation of Internet service, even if you change speeds. After promotional periods, regular rates apply. Pricing, packages, and policies are subject to change. Other restrictions may apply. "No annual contract" means no minimum term period requirement and no early termination fees. A credit check and/or deposit may be required. May not be combined with other offers or discounts. Advertised rate and taxes vary by service location. Not all services available everywhere.

‡Next-day delivery

Limited availability and delivery area. Available to customers in pre-wired residences placing orders for Cox Internet, TV and Voice services. Orders must be placed by 1PM local time Monday-Friday. Easy Connect only; additional fee may apply for technician visit after failed self-installation. Offer excludes Homelife installation.

About internet service

Use of a Cox-approved DOCSIS 3.0 or higher cable modem is required for internet service. (Gigablast and Ultimate service require 3.1). WiFi equipment meeting the 802.11ac standard is required for optimal wireless Ultimate and Gigablast performance. For current download/upload speeds for all Cox Internet tiers, visit the Speeds and Data Plans page. Uninterrupted or error-free internet service, or the speed of your service, is not guaranteed. Actual speeds may vary based on type of equipment used, environmental and structural conditions in your home, number of users and other factors. Maximum available speeds may vary depending on service area. For more information on Cox Internet, see Cox Internet Service Disclosures. 

About data

All Cox Internet plans include 1.25 TB (1280 GB) per month of data usage. In your area, we don’t currently charge fees for exceeding data plans.

All Cox Internet plans include 1.25 TB (1280 GB) per month of data usage. Additional Data Plans can be added for an additional monthly charge. Excess usage is $10 per additional 50 GB block. Unused data does not roll over. For more details on data plans and data usage, see cox.com/dataspeedplans and cox.com/datausage.

Existing customer pricing

Rates, and/or when applicable, term agreements, may differ from those presented here as a result of customer’s existing account features, such as pricing, bundles, term agreements, or service address. Applicable monthly service charges, installation, additional equipment, taxes, trip charges and other fees may apply. Rate subject to increase if any prerequisite service is downgraded or canceled. All prices and packages are subject to change. Subject to credit approval. Other restrictions may apply.

About Advanced Security

Requires Technicolor CGM4141 or Arris TG1682 Panoramic Wifi Gateway; Panoramic Wifi customers with other models may click here to upgrade device at no additional cost.

*About availability

Available to existing Cox Internet customers.

**About making changes to your plan

Additional services can be added at then-current regular rates. Rates and discounts subject to change when adjusting or removing services or equipment.

About speeds

1Based on Cox’s analysis of Ookla Speedtest Intelligence data during Q1 2023 in Cox serviceable areas. Faster: based on the median speeds delivered. Speed reliability: based on Consistency Score comparisons.

 

2Source: Internet Services | T-Mobile’s Broadband Internet Access Services.

 

3Based on Cox’s analysis of Ookla Speedtest Intelligence data for median download speeds delivered during peak hours of 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., Monday – Friday in Cox serviceable areas for Q1 2023. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

© 1998 - 2023 Cox Communications, Inc.

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