Is Cox WiFi 2.4 or 5?

Cox offers 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi networks for consumption by its customers. Knowing whether the band you are connected to 2.4GHz or 5GHz can enable you to change the WiFi network settings. Find out whether you are connecting to the Cox 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network, what sets 2.4GHz from 5GHz WiFi, and how the best WiFi performance is obtained.

2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are two bands of frequencies that are used in wireless networks such as WiFi.

WiFi networks operate on many radio frequencies often referred to as bands. WiFi makes use of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands among other ones. These two bands vary mostly in two important ways:

• This kind of frequency, 2.4GHz, has been present from the very start and fits almost every WiFi device. Still, other communications goods such cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, and microwave ovens also use it. This suggests that generally 2.4GHz is more crowded and interfered with than 5GHz. They also lack high signal strength and do not travel through walls and obstructions either.
• Later added to address some of the interferences and congestion so common in 2.4GHz networks: 5GHz. Compared to 2.4GHz, 5GHz offers less congestion, less delay, and greater peak speeds. Still, 5GHz signals flow poorly around barriers and cover a smaller region. Among the WiFi devices that cannot support 5GHz are older ones that hardly support this band at all.

In summary:

• 2.4GHz makes one able to reach further and pierce barriers.
  
• Higher data transmission speeds and fewer interferences make 5GHz a frequency worth considering.

How can I tell whether my device is connected to Cox’s 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi network?

The routers used in the experiment by Cox Internet are dual-band routers that broadcast the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. These are normally set up using names such as “CoxWiFi24” and “CoxWiFi5” or merely “CoxWiFi” and “CoxWiFi5”. Therefore, it mainly comes down to determining whether you are using 2.4GHz or 5GHz, the network name will tell you.

Here are the steps to determine which Cox WiFi network you are connected to:

On Windows:

1. Right-click the WiFi logo on your desktop or at the bottom of your computer screen
2. Select your Connection Name to display the necessary option in network settings
3. It is on this page that you should be able to find the Network name (SSID) and if it ends with either 2.4 or 5 then that is the frequency you are working with.

On Mac:

1. Signal Wi-Fi in the system bar and click on preference.
2. Check the WiFi Network Name under “SSID”

On iPhone or Android:

1. Go to WiFi settings
2. Create a profile of your WiFi network name and then click on it to highlight it.
3. If you expand on the network details, you should be able to see 2.4GHz or 5GHz listed

It is also possible to go to your Cox admin tool if you have not seen your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names on your device. If “CoxWiFi24” is listed, then it is the 2.4 network, if “CoxWiFi5” is listed, then it is a 5GHz network.

Despite the availability of Cox Internet, you need to ensure that you get the best WiFi performance, and here are some tips that can help you.

Here are some tips to optimize your WiFi performance on Cox's network:

1. Avoid 802.11b/g if possible - The 802.11b/g networks use the 2.4GHz frequency band which is crowded and has lots of interference. If your device has this band, use it whenever possible as it provides even better protection.

2. Choose the channel with the least amount of traffic - If you’re in an area where one band, say 2.4GHz has more occupied channels than the other. Another method of performing step two is to use an analyzer app to select the cleanest broadcasting channel.

3. Update router firmware - Ensure you have the correct firmware version that is compatible with the Cox router to maximize the WiFi capabilities. Old firmware constrains the available top speeds and the dependability of the experience.

4. Exclude sources of interference – place your router in a separate room far from appliances and devices like cordless phones that may cause congestion of the WiFi.

5. Switch to a faster internet connection, Cox offers newer routers with better management of bands to minimize latency and they are WiFi 6 compatible. To summarise, the only way to fully harness the potential of Cox’s network is to get the best router and upgrade it.

The one to ask is whether 2,4 GHz or 5 GHz is more effective in your environment. To measure the speeds for the two bands, perform speed tests for both bands and compare the results. Prioritize assigning high bandwidth devices such as gaming PCs and streaming players to the 5GHz band, if possible. Other important factors that can ensure the fastest Cox WiFi connection include: Updating the router firmware regularly also enhancing the signal quality depending on your environment.

Ready to upgrade your internet experience? Call us now at +1 844-349-7575 to explore the best Cox Internet plans for your needs!