Is Cox Good for Streaming?
However, with the advent of famous streaming providers like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and others, the presence of a stable and high-speed connection capable of streaming high-quality videos has become crucial. Some of the internet service providers also include Cox Communications which is a leading ISP that is available across some regions of the United States. But is Cox’s internet indeed suitable for streaming the content you love, including your favorite shows and movies? Let’s look at the structure of these notes more carefully.
As of late, we’ve been asked the following question: What speed do I need for streaming?
Because streaming platforms need to know if Cox can handle streaming, the following is the internet speed that streaming platforms require. According to most top streaming devices and services, one should have a download speed of over 5Mbps to stream standard definition content and over 25Mbps to stream high definition 1080p. While streaming 4K ultra HD videos, the desirable internet download speed is slightly higher and ranges from 3040 Mbps.
The major determining factors in what internet speeds you’ll need for smooth streaming include:
- Video quality – A higher video quality such as 4k needs higher speed to download and upload.
- Number of Streams – More number of streams means requiring higher bandwidth
- Number of Devices – Streaming pulls data from multiple devices and therefore needs a faster internet connection.
Therefore, while a rate of 5 Mbps might be adequate for the basic stream, a household with more than one person watching online content on multiple devices at the same time will wish to shoot for a higher speed.
Cox Internet Speed Options
Cox Internet service provides residents with different packages and internet speeds based on the current coverage and availability. It offers speeds starting from 30 Mbps initially, and up to gigabit in some areas where it has invested in infrastructure.
In most areas, the standard Cox internet download/upload speed tiers include: In most areas, the standard Cox internet download/upload speed tiers include:
- 30/30 Mbps
- 100/10 Mbps
- 150/10 Mbps
- 300/30 Mbps
- 500/30 Mbps
- Gigabit (940+/35 Mbps)
In most cases, streaming services demand between 540 Mbps; therefore, all the above Cox internet options surpass the suggested minimum requirements. The 30 Mbps data caps typically offer sufficient bandwidth to support 12 HD streams in a given household.
However, the higher speed of the internet offers more bandwidth and is capable of supporting higher quality videos alongside streaming of videos on more devices at the same time. Specifically, gigabit internet from Cox can be most beneficial for households that require a large number of connected smart devices and streaming simultaneously or in HD quality.
However, there is a limitation that comes with the use of Cox internet plans; the download speed is often much higher than the upload speed. It means that while watching videos online and other streaming services, you would notice very fast download speeds for the files, but uploading your own or sharing user-generated content may take time.
Cox Internet for Streaming – Conclusion
Apart from the basic connection and the internet connection speed, there is the need to have a fast connection that can deliver content to the device with low latency, so that there will be no streaming interruptions such as buffering, lagging, or low video quality. In sum, Cox provides a reliable internet service with only a few complaints regarding uptime based on customer feedback. Third-party studies indicate that Cox's offering of internet service delivers or even surpasses guaranteed connection speeds throughout its network across the country.
However, Cox has created a 24/7 technical support service that ensures that service disruptions are corrected as soon as possible. Cox application and catalog site enable a customer to monitor the connection status, and outages, and stay connected with customer support.
In terms of streaming reliability, Cox's Internet service may not be as well equipped to deal with latency-sensitive online gaming usage. Cox cable internet technology can deliver lower speeds for streaming video as well as downloads but can introduce slightly higher latency as compared to other fiber internet providers. So those super serious about multiplayer gaming may want to look into the much more expensive fiber internet offerings that are available in certain neighborhoods to squeeze out the lowest latency available.
However, for everyday prime usage of residential streaming in videos, music, social media, and web browsing, Cox delivers a good, stable internet connection and speed. Households that engage in many activities requiring multiple streams at the same time will be particularly responsive to Cox’s higher plans due to reduced chances of buffering or deterioration in quality during peak usage.
Coxt overall value for streaming
When comparing the worth Cox brings for streaming capacities for other significant ISPs, Cox continues to rank reasonably on the combined speeds/price levels. The only drawback is that plans are not very cheap, but, at the same time, the price includes rather large download limits.
For streaming, most consumers will be able to identify the most value when it comes to speed and monthly charges in the 300 Mbps or the Gigabit plans by Cox. The 300 Mbps tier allows for the completion of over 15 HD streams and is priced fairly for most families. Their Gigabit fiber plan offers the same or even better speeds than AT&T, CenturyLink, Verizon, and other providers of fiber services while being cheaper by $2030 per month.
If your streaming requirement is simpler, the 150 Mbps plan will also allow 510 simultaneous high-definition streams with less expenditure. As for the users who don’t watch a lot of content but don’t want to be limited by the data caps, they can also survive with the 100 Mbps or 30 Mbps basic plans. Just accept the fact of having fewer numbers of simultaneous streams during peak traffic.
While there is no doubt that Cox has been providing great services, there is one area where fiber internet stands out: latency for gamers. Thus, esports streamers and other Twitch broadcaster beginners may wish to take a look at the offer with the lowest latency and the highest upload speed, such as AT&T Fiber.
However, for the general population that likes streaming their favorite sports, movies, and TV shows, Cox offers great streaming speeds at rather affordable monthly prices. Due to the good value, general performance, and broad service locations in the spectrum of Cox’s operations, it is suitable for nearly all streaming homes.
Ready to upgrade your internet experience? Call us now at +1 844-349-7575 to explore the best Cox Internet plans for your needs!