How Much does Cox Charge for Netflix?
Netflix is one of the greatest Cox streaming services, as it has more than 200 million customers around the world. Due to the availability of a massive amount of content rather cheap and free, it has become very popular. But, your subscription fee does not include the amount Netflix will use to deliver that content to your home. Your internet service provider (ISP) such as Cox Communications requires you to pay extra fees for the bandwidth used in streaming Netflix. And in this case, how much more does Cox expect its users to pay for a chance to access Netflix? Let's find out.
ISP's Data Caps: What They Are?
Currently, most of the primary ISPs have a data usage limit they set for every customer for a specific month. Streaming video is data-intensive. Standard definition Netflix lasts for 1 hour and consumes up to 1GB of data while Netflix in high-definition uses up to 3GB in an hour.
Of course, one can only imagine the bitter experience of the household, which is full of passionate Netflix streamers, and, consequently, far exceeding the limits of the most modest data traffic. ISPs charge more money over and above the monthly limit that has been provided by charging the data used. The overage charge differs from provider to provider, but it is usually 10 dollars for every 50 GB.
Cox and Data Caps
Cox Communications has a limited monthly usage allowance and charges its customers for exceeding this limit in most of its service areas. The overage charges and the limit that you have to pay differ according to the specific Cox internet plan.
For instance, the Starter internet packages can be used with only 150GB of data allowance every month. You will be charged $10 per additional block of 50GB provided you exceed the limit. Nevertheless, Cox Gigablast packages, which are Cox’s top-tier internet services, include a comparatively more expansive data allowance of 1.25 TB. Any additional usage above the provided limits will be charged at $10 for every 50Gig.
Mobile broadband has options for unlimited data with some packages going for a 50-dollar monthly subscription. But it still slows down the connection after 1.25 TB instead of enforcing an additional fee for data usage.
Estimating Netflix Bandwidth Usage
Well then, how fast can the usage of Netflix service reach the data limit? To simplify the arguments let’s imagine a very representative heavy Netflix user household.
So, if there are three people in a family that Netflix and chill for two hours per day that is 18 hours of HD Netflixing per day. By the same token, consumption of Netflix bandwidth is 54GB for each stream hour provided that the bandwidth used is 3GB.
Based on the utilization of 54 GB per day over a 30-day billing cycle, the total data usage would be 30 days x 54 GB = 1,620 GB or 1.62 TB. That would be more than enough Netflix utilization to easily surpass virtually all typical Cox data limits.
Without unlimited data, this household would incur significant overage charges under common Cox internet packages:
- On the pricing of the Starter tier 150GB data cap plan, the overage fees are staggering, more than $300 per month.
- For the same Preferred 250 plan, overage charges would still be reasonably set at $220.
- Not even the 1.25TB GSM on the Gigablast package would have cost $60+ for overages.
Measures taken to prevent incurring extra charges for using data
Here are some tips to keep your Netflix streaming from driving up your Cox internet bill:
1. To monitor how much you are nearing your data limit, you’ll need to go on the Cox website and sign into your account. If you see that you are getting closer to the limit towards the end of the month, use less.
2. When possible, watch Netflix streaming at the PAL resolution instead of NTSC or 720p/1080p. This uses considerably less data which is not worse by a significantly lower quality of the view.
3. Online video streaming allows users to download titles on the Netflix app to watch offline. Free downloads also mean that they are not wired to use any data.
4. Add a feature that provides as much data as possible or a greater quantity of data to your Cox plan; this is available for $50 per month.
The Bottom Line
Cox provides one of the lowest bandwidths in the cable internet business and one of the most severe data limits. It only takes several Netflix marathons per week to burn through sharply lowered allowances in no time.
Ensure you are aware of your current usage and have plans in place to minimize costs that may arise from exceeding the limits set by the service provider. Mobile broadband plan options ensure tremendous comfort if you plan on binging Netflix in your home frequently.
Ready to upgrade your internet experience? Call us now at +1 844-349-7575 to explore the best Cox Internet plans for your needs!