Does Cox Charge for a Router?
Cox Communications is one of the biggest cable internet service providers in the United States of America boasting more than 6 million subscribers from their residential service section across the eighteen states. For a Cox internet connection, a router or modem is required to start a home Wi-Fi network after subscription. This brings us to the usual query what Cox does do to charge for the aforementioned devices? Or are they offered in addition to your internet subscription?
The simple answer to this question is yes, Cox does charge extra for renting a router or modem from them on top of the monthly charge. But you can use your router which will save you the costs of hiring their equipment which they offer for rent. Below, we will discuss the details so that you are not left guessing what you need to expect when subscribing to Cox Internet.
Cox Equipment Rental Fees
If you decide to lease a router or modem from Cox, here is what you can expect to pay in additional fees:
- Panoramic WiFi Gateway (Modem + Router Combo): 10 US dollars per month
- Cox Wireless Router: They pay up to $9 per month.
- Cable Modem: $10 monthly
In this case, if you choose to take the most commonly selected Panoramic WiFi Gateway, which is a modem and router in a single package, you would be charged an extra $10 in addition to the amount you pay for internet service. Let alone the amount of $120 they pay within a single year to rent their equipment alone.
You also have an option of renting only a modem or a router from them but each will cost you $9 or $10 every month. Through both methods, you’ll be hard-pressed to avoid the rental charge if you wish to make use of the equipment provided by Cox.
They also benefit from the fact that the monthly fee is all-inclusive since it provides for the repair or replacement of their equipment when it develops faults or degrades. The devices can also be returned if the Cox service is canceled with no additional early termination charges.
However, for most customers, $100+ yearly in rental charges may be too steep, no matter how much more convenient it may be to own a PO Box. The only downside is that Cox requires you to rent their modem and router, which can get pretty expensive over time – not ideal for those who prefer to own their equipment.
I have my router with Cox:
Cox offers its subscribers the ‘BYOD’ option which means that you are allowed to buy your cable modem and/or wifi router instead of getting them from Cox every month. The downside of leasing is that you will eventually be faced with a large capital outlay to own it while owning your equipment will prove to be less costly in the long run.
There are a few specifics to keep in mind if you plan to get your gear:
- Ensure that the modem or router you’re procuring is adaptable to the Cox network. Cox should keep a record of all approved eBay equipment to sell to their customers as anything not checked and approved by the company may hinder connectivity.
- To use additional personal modems or routers, you will have to record the MAC address printed on them with Cox. This enables them to incorporate the various device IDs into their system.
- Cox only lets the first modem they have plugged into their coax line. If it is the case that you want to add a router and/or a mesh wifi system then this should be plugged into the backend modem through ether cable connection.
If you decide to use cable modems and routers that have not been previously approved by Cox Cable Internet, you’ll not have any hitch in connecting your own devices to the internet. This way, it will be possible to experience the same internet speeds and performance without incurring high monthly rental costs.
Some popular personal modems and routers that Cox customers choose include:
Modems:
- ARRIS SURFboard SB6183
- Netgear CM500
- Motorola MB7420
Routers:
- Netgear Nighthawk R6700
- TP-Link Archer A7
- Linksys EA7300
Mesh Systems:
- Google Nest Wifi
- Netgear Orbi
- Linksys Velop
Some of those solutions can offer wireless coverage for more than 1,500 square meters. traditionally built homes that also meet high-performance goals. And without the recurring rental fees, they get paid off in less than a year as opposed to renting from the Cox.
Cox Communications Equipment Rental vs. Purchase: Which Option Is More Suitable for You?
All in all, if you need to get equipment from Cox, or if you prefer to purchase routers and modems yourself, it is necessary to think about the peculiarities of the situation.
Here are a few key considerations when deciding:
Rent from Cox if:
- You would like to have an enhanced technical support and repair/replacement of devices included
- It means you need internet service only for a short period
- You do not get worried when paying more than a hundred for rental charges.
Use Your Equipment if:
- This shows that you are an advanced user who can independently diagnose the problem.
- You do not like monthly rental charges that frequently occur.
- You are willing to incur some additional cost in the beginning to end up saving more in the long run
If a household recognizes that they are going to continue using Cox Internet for a long time, the option of bringing your cable modem and router is the best for you. The only thing that should be ensured is that the purchased devices are compatible with Cox’s network and should only be those recommended by the company. Unfavorable The one-time cost of the equipment is relatively minor compared to the amount of money you will end up spending on rental fees every month.
Ready to upgrade your internet experience? Call us now at +1 844-349-7575 to explore the best Cox Internet plans for your needs!