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Cox Internet Plans for Seniors in 2025
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Finding the right internet provider feels like navigating a maze of flashy promotions and endless add-ons. But let's cut through the noise and focus on what really matters: getting reliable internet at a reasonable price.
Enter Cox Communications, a regional provider serving 19 states with big ambitions to compete against industry giants like Xfinity. As a Rhode Island resident with firsthand experience using their service, I've put Cox to the test to answer one simple question: Can this smaller provider deliver the speed and value you need? Let me show you what I discovered.
FYI: Cox performed well in our tests, but it’s far from the most affordable provider. To find home internet from $25 per month, read our guide to the best internet providers for seniors.
Cox Internet Pros and Cons
Pros
- Super fast speeds: Depending on where you live, Cox internet goes up to either 1 or 2 Gigs; these speeds are fast enough for playing videos of up to 8k, streaming, gaming, and having multiple video conferences at once.
- Monthly contracts: With all but the 2 Gig plan, Cox internet contracts are month to month; even with the 2 Gig plan, there’s no early termination fee.
- Free DIY installation: I installed the system myself — saving the $100 I would have had to pay a professional.
- Plans for low-income individuals: Cox offers an internet plan for low-income subscribers that costs $30 per month.
Cons
- Higher prices: While other ISPs like Xfinity have starting costs of only $25, Cox starts high at $50 a month with its 100 Mbps plan; it also has a $70-per-month plan for 250 Mbps. To compare, Xfinity internet’s cheapest plan is faster at 300 Mbps — three times as fast for half the cost of Cox.
- Equipment fees: Unless you own a compatible modem, you’ll have to pay $15 a month for the Wi-Fi equipment — plus a $50 deposit at the beginning of your contract if your credit score isn’t high enough.
Cox Internet Plans and Pricing
Cox offers several different internet plans of differing connection speeds. Monthly fees go up with each faster tier. Keep in mind that not every plan is available in every location, so the best way to find out which speeds are available in your area is to contact Cox.
Cox Home Internet Plans Compared
Cox Plan | Download Speeds | Monthly Price |
---|---|---|
Go Fast | 100 Mbps | $50 |
Go Faster | 250 Mbps | $70 |
Go Even Faster | 500 Mbps | $90 |
Go Super Fast | 1 Gbps | $120 |
Go Beyond Fast | 2 Gbps | $149.99 |
Plan Availability
Cox offers service in 670 areas in the U.S. throughout the following states:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
Plans and prices may vary by location. Also, availability may vary within states. For example, in Massachusetts, Cox is only available in four spots: Attleboro, Holland, Millville, and Westport.
If your state is not one of the 19 listed above, you may want to consider an alternate provider with more availability. Xfinity, for example, has local stores in 36 states.
The Fine Print
Here are all the fees you can expect when you buy your internet from Cox:
- Equipment fees: Unless you have your own modem, you’ll need to rent a Cox Panoramic Wi-Fi modem for $13 per month.
- Installation fees: Installation is free if you do it yourself or $100 if you need a Cox professional to do it.
- Price increases: For plans 1 Gig and under, your prices won’t increase for the first 24 months; however, after this period, there are no guarantees.
- Late fee: Cox does not charge late fees for late payments of your monthly bill.
- Early termination fee: Since Cox does not require long-term commitments, you won’t have to pay any fees to cancel your service.
- Discounts for autopay: Automatic payments (which Cox calls EasyPay) are not required for Cox internet, and there is no extra discount for enrolling in this payment method.
Internet Bundles
Looking to bundle your services? Cox offers an array of packages combining internet with TV, phone, and smart home features. But here's what you need to know: Only the internet and TV bundles will actually save you money. While getting everything from one provider might simplify your bills, the other bundle combinations are more about convenience than savings. Let's look at the TV and internet packages that will put real money back in your pocket:
Internet | TV | Price of Bundle Per Month | Bundle Savings Per Month |
---|---|---|---|
100 Mbps | Contour Stream Player | $50 | $5 |
250 Mbps | Contour Stream Player | $60 | $15 |
500 Mbps | Contour Stream Player | $70 | $25 |
1 Gbps | Contour TV Preferred | $195 | $40 |
1 Gbps | Contour Stream Player | $80 | $45 |
Did You Know? Current Cox internet subscribers can get a mobile phone line for $15 per month. To learn how, read our guide to Cox Mobile for seniors.
While Contour Stream Player lets you stream from services like Netflix and Hulu on your TV, Contour TV Preferred is live TV with over 140 channels. The channels include ESPN, HGTV, USA, TBS, and the Food Network, to name a few.
Cox Internet Senior Plan
While Cox doesn't have senior-specific discounts, their ConnectAssist plan offers substantial savings, offering internet service for $30 per month. That's $20 less than their standard rate. This plan includes:
- 100 Mbps internet speed – perfect for email, social media, and video calls
- Free equipment with no hidden fees
- Unlimited data usage with no overage charges
- No annual contract required
Eligibility
You're eligible for ConnectAssist if you receive any of these benefits:
- Medicaid or SSI
- Veterans Pension
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- WIC benefits
- Federal Pell Grants (current academic year)
- Tribal assistance programs, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance and Food Distribution Program
Alternatively, you’re eligible if your income is below 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($15,060 for individuals, $20,440 for couples). You can learn more about this program and check your eligibility on Cox’s website.
My Experience With Cox
Signing up for Cox was refreshingly straightforward; no phone calls were required, unlike with Spectrum. The online process took minutes: Choose a plan, select equipment (they offer one modem option), and complete basic verification. After a quick credit check that waived my deposit, I opted for two-day delivery instead of picking up my kit from the Providence store. The whole checkout process was seamless, with a paperless billing setup.
Installation
Once I unboxed my kit, I plugged in the gateway to both its coax cable and its power cord — connecting the other sides to my cable and electrical outlets, respectively. I waited about 10 minutes for the gateway to turn on; then, I opened the Wi-Fi settings on my iPhone and connected to the gateway. Technically, my internet was already up and running, but I wanted to name my Wi-Fi network, of course, so I downloaded the Cox Panoramic Wifi app; this way I could express myself and choose a clever name. Overall, this was one of the quickest and easiest setup processes I’ve ever seen from an ISP.
Cox App
Cox’s app is available on iOS and Android devices. I used it to manage my internet service billing, make payments, and update my payment method; I could also check my data usage, get outage alerts, and view my service details. In addition, I used it to troubleshoot issues if I had a problem or read from the company’s how-to pages. But the app lacked other capabilities, such as an in-app speed test, which Xfinity includes in their app. Still, this is a pretty small gripe, and the app worked well. It has received 4.4 out of five stars on the Google Play store and 4.6 on the App Store.
Using My Internet
Since my partner and I both work from home, we need internet that stays connected; it also must boast fast speeds that allow us to do simultaneous Zoom calls, emails, web browsing, and streaming (if we need a break from work). Fortunately, we encountered no issues when I connected us to Cox internet. Google speed tests confirmed I get the speed I paid for, 1 Gig, and I never experienced any noticeable latency. Even when we had a friend visiting, our internet didn’t slow down a bit.
My Bill
I chose the Go Super Fast Internet package, which promised speeds up to 1 Gig; it cost $80 a month when I bought it in June of 2024 (It’s normally $120, so I really benefited from this offer.). Because my credit was good enough to not have to put a deposit down, I avoided having to spend $50 on my Wi-Fi equipment. Instead, I only had to pay $15 a month to rent the equipment, bringing my monthly bill to $95. It would have been possible to use my own modem and avoid that $15 a month fee, so I’d recommend that option, if possible.
Cox vs. Spectrum Internet
On the whole, Spectrum internet is more affordable and faster than Cox. For example, each company starts its prices around $50 a month, but Spectrum customers will receive speeds up to 300 Mbps; Cox customers will be moving at one-third of the pace. Additionally, Spectrum has no equipment or overage fees nor long-term contracts, making it more flexible, as well.
Finally, both companies offer low-cost internet deals for recipients of government programs like Medicaid, but Spectrum’s offer is $10 a month cheaper. When it comes to saving money, I’d recommend Spectrum over Cox; however, you should field offers from both providers, as prices can differ based on your location.
Cox | Spectrum | |
---|---|---|
Starting price | $50 | $49.99 |
Price hikes | Price locked for 24 months | 500 Mbps and faster: price locked for 24 months |
Overage fees | $10 for each 50 GB over allotted data | $0 |
Long-term contracts | No, except with 2 Gig plan | No |
Fastest download speeds | 2 Gig | 225 Mbps |
Cost of equipment | $15 a month plus a possible $50 deposit, based on credit, unless the customer owns a compatible modem | None |
Bottom Line
Is Cox the most budget-friendly option? Not quite. Their entry-level plan starts at $50 a month for 100 Mbps, which is higher than many competitors and not quite as fast. But don't write them off just yet.
For eligible seniors, the ConnectAssist program drops that price to $30 monthly while maintaining the same speeds. Bundling services like TV or smart home features can also increase your value, especially if you're already in the market for those services.
Before deciding, take these steps:
- Check availability at Cox.com.
- Get a personalized quote for your address.
- Review ConnectAssist eligibility.
- Compare bundle options if interested.
Want to explore cheaper alternatives? Check our guide to the best cheap internet for seniors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does Cox internet cost?
Cox internet costs $50 to $149.99 a month. There is also a plan for recipients of government programs like Medicaid for $30 a month.
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Does Cox have an internet plan for seniors?
Cox does not have an internet plan for seniors specifically. However, some seniors may qualify for a low-cost internet plan if they are recipients of programs like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or Veterans benefits. This plan offers 100 Mbps download speeds for $30 a month.
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Do you have to pay extra for Cox internet equipment?
Yes. If you do not have a compatible modem, you will have to pay an additional $15 a month for Cox internet equipment. If your credit score isn’t high enough, you may also have to put down an initial deposit of $50.
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How much does it cost to cancel Cox internet?
It is free to cancel Cox internet, as the company has no early termination fees.