How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Modem from Cox?
To answer the above-held inquiries, the following guidelines highlight the amount of money that one will be required to pay to rent a modem from Cox.
Cox Communications is a telecommunications company that provides cable and telecommunications services in the United States, including internet, television, telephone, and smart home service to customers in eighteen states. Similar to most cable corporations, Cox allows the option of customers to bring their own modem/router combination or, for an extra monthly charge, rent a Cox one for the price of internet service. This is particularly so when you sign up for cable service with your provider and end up paying more for renting equipment for use instead of purchasing your device. However, certain positive attributes go hand in hand with renting that may make a carrier better suited for certain customers. In this article, the reader will learn about Cox’s modem rental prices, the advantages and disadvantages of renting a modem compared to buying it, and guidelines for determining what is the best solution for your household budget.
The Essential Factors Relating to the Cost of Renting a Modem from Cox
Cox levies a fee of $10-14 for the modem/router depending on the customer’s location and the package that they want. This rental cost is above whatever you spend per month to have internet service in your house. Cox usually provides a modem/WiFi router instead of a modem alone, so the monthly cost includes an all-in-one networking experience right out of the box, with no need for a separate router. The specific model you will get depends on the exact plan that you have from Cox – this cable service supplier primarily employs Technicolor, Arris, Hitron, and Netgear modems. At the moment, its rental modems allow for speeds up to the Gigablast G.fast.
Even if you are a Cox subscriber who is leasing the modem, it is very important to know that the equipment is guaranteed for life. Thus, if this modem becomes faulty or develops some problems at any one time while you are subscribing to Cox services you don’t have to worry because they will replace it for free and with no cost for using the modem during the period it was being replaced. They will also be able to send firmware updates as and when they are required from the software’s end remotely. Such privileges make renting very appealing because the tenant does not deal with modem concerns or compatibility problems.
However, you will continue paying those monthly rental fees for as long as you decide to rent them, usually translating into more money lost over the period than the cost of buying your modem outright. You also have to return the rental equipment if you cancel your Cox service. As looking at the approved models buyers can regain the purchase cost within less than a year of usage, so purchasing becomes in most cases comparatively cheaper in terms of cost over years of internet service.
There is however an important thing to note; Cox from time to time offers some offers to new internet customers where they offer attractive rental rates for the initial period of the subscription, or even offer free modem rental in the first year. Well if future savings for the next few years are not a big issue for your home then of course it’s advisable to grab a rental promotion for the transient period.
Buying Your Modem: Huge capital expenditure at the beginning as compared to the long-term benefits which may be years down the line.
There is also the choice of buying an approved cable modem or modem/router from other sources for a one-time payment instead of leasing one from Cox for $10-14 per month. This means that to get it one has to incur more expenses at the time of procurement but in the long run, it will be more economical since one shall not need to keep on renting it over and over. You also regain more control, flexibility, and ownership of the equipment than would be possible under a fixed deal.
While out shopping for your Cox-compatible modem which is often an approved modem, you may be surprised to find that such modems cost between $50 and $200. For instance, the Motorola MB7621 cable modem still costs around $70 while the newest WiFi 6 supporting Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 is from $170+. Of course, the modem routers that are offered at the upper end of the spectrum can offer more and allow for the connection of many devices, but you do not always have to go for the best modem. The crucial factors are ensuring that the model you are keen on is compatible with Cox and your subscribed internet speed from Cox.
To determine the possibilities of cost savings from buying your equipment, let’s do some simple calculations. At the lowest end, you’ll have to rent a modem from Cox for $10 a month which amounts to $12 a year. For instance, if you had to buy your modem at $70, then you would be able to offset this upfront cost by the amount you have saved from avoiding a rental fee in less than a year. The marginal cost of any additional year of internet service with the purchased equipment is again cheaper than renting. Also, your modem will most likely last longer than the time you have your internet provider, so you can take the modem with you without any charge when changing your internet provider in the future.
In terms of costs, it is almost always cheaper to own your modem from a long-term economic viewpoint for a typical household. The only time you wouldn’t be better off paying for Cox internet separately is if you are certain that you’ll only be using their services for a very short time within less than a year and would prefer to avoid any initial cost in such a situation. Another element may be promotional discounted rental rates, which are normally offered only during an intro period, which may also shift the scales a little in favor of short-term renting.
Cox Internet Vs. Buying Your Modem: Comparing the Advantages and Disadvantages
Below is a summary of the main benefits that typically make renting or buying your modem the preferable choice:
Cox as a Modem Rental Service Provider – Best in Convenience When You Need a Modem Temporarily
Pros:
- No cost is required to be paid at the onset to obtain the necessary equipment.
- Manufacturer warranty that guarantees the buyer a new product if problems arise
- Automatic firmware updates
- As is common with new members, there are usually mouth-watering offers at a discounted price.
Cons:
- Monthly rental fees are charged more so that the amount that accumulates over time is relatively high.
- No ownership
Purchasing Your Modem – For Those Who Want to Save Money in the Long Run
Pros:
- Don’t incur continuing rental charges = expenditure reduction over the long run
- You are the owner of the equipment and it is your choice to use it long-term or to transport it to the next provider.
- Sometimes the customers have much more choice in equipment selection and the specifications of the equipment.
Cons:
- Longer financing cycle due to higher initial investment for equipment purchase
- It is important to note that no warranty on the device is offered and no firmware support from Cox is available.
- Cox Cable Internet Service is compatible with several modem models; therefore, the a need to look up details concerning the specs.
Guide to Renting versus Buying Your Modem
When deciding whether it makes more sense for your household to continue renting a modem from Cox versus buying your own, here are a few key factors to consider:
- Do you expect to continue using Cox internet service for the next year, two years, or three years? If less than 1-year rental may be easier, You might want to consider this if you will be living in the house for less than a year. It is also likely that those who got their equipment 2+ years ago and own them benefit from the savings.
- What is your range of variability about an initial purchase of a modem? Choose rental if financially, things are very, very bad now.
- Do you want the least complicated and worriless solution even if it has to cost more in the future? Therefore, renting may be the better option depending on numerous factors.
- Do you feel confident in researching compatible models with modems and managing modem performance on your own? If so, then acquiring your device will offer a better lifetime value for the money spent as compared to a tablet.
- Look for any current Cox offers concerning the modem rental at a lower fee or sometimes free of charge. If renting the apartment for the short term, do not let the opportunity slip to benefit from the discounts offered.
The average Cox customer who maintains residential internet subscription service for multiple years benefits in terms of cost savings if the customer buys their cable modem equipment. However, renting is less complicated and offers certainty when it comes to your subscription should easy payment, or the lack of long-term savings suit your household situation. Being a matter of meeting the client’s needs, the decision requires careful evaluation of one’s budget, technical ability, and service time.
Ready to upgrade your internet experience? Call us now at +1 844-349-7575 to explore the best Cox Internet plans for your needs!