Does Cox Provide Modems for Free?
Cox is among the leading cable internet companies in the United States with millions of subscribers in the nation. One of the most frequently asked questions that customers ask themselves when subscribing to Cox Internet is whether Cox gives away modems for free or if they have to buy their modem themselves. The answer to this is somewhat complex, because Cox does offer free modems at times, but will not do so at other times. Here is a breakdown of Cox's modem policies:
New Customers
However, for new customers who want to subscribe to internet services through Cox, the company does offer a free modem to those who opt for the right package offers. With the Starter, StraightUp Internet, Essential, Preferred 100, Ultimate 300, Gigablast 1,000, and Panoramic WiFi Internet packages, the modem equipment fee comes with the package without any additional charges. The modem that the company known as Cox offers is the Cox Panoramic WiFi Gateway, which is a modem and a wireless router in a singular package.
Well, let’s consider that you are a new customer who has just joined the Cox company and you want to subscribe to one of the basic internet programs; then yes, you get the modem/router for free from Cox. It is also essential to understand that you do not have to buy your equipment. The Panoramic WiFi Gateway costs $10 per month, though Cox will cover it for certain plans.
Existing Customers
Hence, if you are an existing Cox internet user or a customer who has been furnished with your modem, the company will not replace it with a Panoramic WiFi Gateway for free. When Cox offers internet to customers, they do not always provide equipment free of charge, and many of the current customers purchased their own approved modem when they initially subscribed to the service. However, if you are in those cases, you may use the owned modem with Cox service without paying rental fees.
The only time that you will need to replace it is when the modem that you are using gets outmoded or starts to develop issues that make it incapable of functioning optimally or when it is not compatible with the Cox network. At that point, Cox may allow you to upgrade your Panoramic WiFi Gateway modem, at no extra cost, if you opt for a new qualifying plan. However, you had to return a previously owned modem from your place or from the place where you are living.
Other Plans and Services
While most standard Cox internet packages do come with a free WiFi Gateway modem, there are some cases where Cox still charges full equipment price or requires you to provide your device: While most standard Cox internet packages do come with a free WiFi Gateway modem, there are some cases where Cox still charges full equipment price or requires you to provide your device:
- Service with Telephone – Cox Internet customers with telephone service will incur an additional $10/month equipment rental fee.
- Business Plans – Cox’s business and Hospitality Network plans generally expect their customers to provide their modem, duly certified for use with Cox’s service rather than offering one for free.
- Connect2Compete Plan - The Connect2Compete plan that Cox offers for families with K-12 children does include the low-income offer but the part where Beville said that the $10/month WiFi Gateway rental fee will be waived is not true.
- Using Own Modem – This can be done at any one time with a purchased modem/router that is compatible with the Cox network as opposed to having to get one from the provider. However, the claim that you would be given a free device is not true.
In conclusion, therefore, the answer to the question of whether Cox does offer free modems with most of its current internet plans is in the affirmative. There are, however, some instances in which usage-based pricing may come with an equipment rental charge such as in the case of business plans, bundled telephone services, or discounted internet tiers. Customers can also always prefer to use their equipment instead as well, in case they do not wish to use those provided by the organization. Thus, although the Cox modem rental agreement may allow the customer to receive a Cox modem for free, there are cases where purchased or rented devices are needed.
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