Our Cox Business Internet review
Whether you’re located within Cox’s cable or fiber footprint, this ISP is capable of providing fast and reliable business connections. All plans come with unlimited data and optional features like cellular internet backup to carry you through outages and premium 24/7 tech support for all of your business’s connected devices.
The plans tend to be expensive compared to other business internet providers, offering comparatively less speed, and the advertised rates go up after the promotional period expires. But you can save on fees and rates if you make the right choices when purchasing your plan.
Pros
- Fast and reliable cable and fiber internet service
- Unlimited data
- Cellular internet backup
- Bundle discounts
- Premium tech support 60-day trial
Cons
- Expensive compared to the competition
- Limited fiber availability
Jump to: Plans and pricing | Data caps | Contracts and penalties | Extra features| Fees | Cox Business Internet Bundles | Cox Business vs. the competition | Verdict | FAQ
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Cox Small Business Internet plans and pricing
Package | Price | Speed | Term contract | View on Cox's site |
---|---|---|---|---|
Business Internet 100 | $50.00–65.00/mo.* | Up to 100Mbps download Up to 20Mbps upload | 1–12 months | Shop Plans for Cox Communications |
Essential Bundle 300 | $90.00/mo.* | Up to 300Mbps download Up to 30Mbps upload | 24 months | Shop Plans for Cox Communications |
Essential Bundle 500 | $150.00/mo.* | Up to 500Mbps download Up to 30Mbps upload | 24 months | Shop Plans for Cox Communications |
Essential Bundle 1 Gbps | $250.00/mo.* | Up to 1Gbps download Up to 35Mbps upload | 24 months | Shop Plans for Cox Communications |
* Data as of 5/14/2023. Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location. Prices are with a term contract, after which standard rates apply.
Cox Small Business Internet is Cox’s cable internet solution. These plans provide fast download speeds but lack the symmetrical speeds of fiber internet. Most online activities use primarily download speeds, however, some applications like video calls, data backups to off-site servers, and sending out large files do rely on upload speed.
The rates above are promotional rates that are guaranteed through the term contract, after which standard rates apply. These standard rates depend on the plan and region, so you’ll want to check your contract’s fine print to see what the price will be once the promotional period expires. Most plans also offer a month-to-month contract option, but this comes with a huge price increase. For example, the price of the Business Internet 100’s month-to-month contract soars to $130 per month, well over twice the rate of the same plan under a 12-month contract.
Business Internet 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 Gbps all have an Essentials Bundle that includes Cox Cellular Backup, a service that maintains your connection in the event of an outage. The Essentials Bundles are priced the same as their backup-lacking counterparts, leaving little reason to go with the stand-alone plans.
Our favorite plan:
We think the Essential Bundle 300 finds a good balance between price, speed, and features. It’s the lowest tier that gives access to the free cellular backup while still providing enough speed. Getting the lowest price requires signing a two-year contract.
If your business has more modest connectivity needs, consider the base Business Internet 100. If your business internet use is limited to a few workstations and the occasional outage wouldn’t be a massive detriment, you can save a lot with this cheaper plan. But we wouldn’t recommend it for larger offices with multiple simultaneous remote meetings taking place.
Cox Business Fiber Internet plans and pricing
Package | Price | Speed | Term contract | View on Cox's site |
---|---|---|---|---|
Business Internet 100 | $50.00–65.00/mo.* | Up to 100Mbps download br> Up to 20Mbps upload | 1–12 months | Shop Plans for Cox Communications |
Essential Bundle 300 | $90.00/mo. | Up to 300Mbps download Up to 30Mbps upload | 24 months | Shop Plans for Cox Communications |
Essential Bundle 500 | $150.00/mo. | Up to 500Mbps download Up to 30Mbps upload | 24 months | Shop Plans for Cox Communications |
Essential Bundle 1 Gbps | $250.00/mo. | Up to 1Gbps download Up to 35Mbps upload | 24 months | Shop Plans for Cox Communications |
Cox offers fiber business internet in addition to its more familiar cable internet products. But before entering their specific location, customers are provided a plan roster that’s identical to its Small Business Internet. When we asked a Cox representative about this, they said they can’t provide overall fiber business internet pricing, but require a location to provide a quote.
We expect a true fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) connection to come with symmetrical speeds, but oddly, Cox advertises Fiber Business Internet speeds that look more like a cable internet connection with upload speeds that are only a fraction of the download speeds. The only way to find out if you have access to true fiber internet from Cox is to check the availability of your business location.
Why is fiber internet better for your business?
– Faster upload speeds that help with applications like video calls and cloud backups
– Elegant network design that improves latency and jitter for a smoother connection
Enter your zip code to find out if your location has access to Cox Fiber.
Cox Business Internet data caps
Unlike its residential connections, all Cox Business Internet plans are free of data caps, so you won’t be burdened by counting gigabytes and worrying about data overage fees on top of running your business.
Cox Business Internet contracts and penalties
Cox Business Internet contracts are a mixed bag. There is a month-to-month option for most plans but it comes at a sizable premium. On the other hand, Cox rewards committing to a 12 or 24-month term contract with a significant discount. Unfortunately, the savings are only temporary as you’ll be subject to the standard rates once the promotional period expires. The length of the contract depends on the plan you choose.
While Cox provides a good temporary discount for committing to a contract, you will want to be absolutely sure you plan on completing the entire term, as Cox charges business customers extremely expensive early termination fees. If you cancel your Cox Business Internet plan before the end of your contract, you will be subject to 100% of the charges for the remaining months. Yep, you read that right, if you cancel your plan early, you still have to pay the bill in full, even if you’re no longer using the service.
Is Cox Business Internet available at your location?
Enter your zip code below to see if you can get Cox’s business internet services in your area.
Cox Business deals and promotions
Get up to a $500 Mastercard Prepaid Card after online redemption†.
†Cox Business Prepaid Mastercard®️:
Available to new services (excluding government agencies, schools and national accounts) in Cox service areas. Minimum 12-month contract required. Online redemption req’d by 10/31/24 and must follow instructions rec’d after service activation. Account must remain active, be in good standing, and retain all services for a min. of 90 consecutive days after install. Limit one card per customer. Allow 20 days after completion of all redemption requirements for delivery. Cox reserves the right to withhold the issuance of any prepaid card in the event Cox reasonably determines there is fraud associated with the account. Card is issued by Pathward®️, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used where Debit Mastercard is accepted. Card valid for up to 6 months. Funds do not expire and may be available after card expiration date; inactivity fee may apply. Terms and conditions apply.
Cox Business Internet extra features
Feature | Cost |
---|---|
Cellular Internet Backup | Included in Cox Business Internet Essentials Bundles |
Cox Complete Care | $29.99 for up to 20 employees (60-Day free trial*) |
*free trial may require a term contract
Cellular Internet Backup
Cox’s Cellular Internet Backup service steps in if you experience an outage. This is an alternate LTE service that keeps you online during unexpected connectivity issues. Cox Essentials Business bundles come with Cellular Internet Backup, usually for the same price as standalone business internet service.
Cox Complete Care
Cox Complete Care is a premium tech support service that offers 24/7 assistance for a wide range of technical issues. In addition to providing around-the-clock help with your internet service, Cox Complete Care provides technical support for all your business’ connected devices, including computers, tablets, and pretty much anything connected to Wi-Fi. The service also includes a virtual security assistant which helps with viruses, malware, and spyware.
Cox Business Internet fees
Equipment fee: standard modem | $7/mo. |
Equipment fee: gateway (modem/router) | $13/mo. |
Activation fee: standard modem | $25 (one-time charge) |
Activation fee: gateway | $99 (one-time charge) |
Self-installation | free |
Professional installation | $99 |
Late fee | $30 |
Cox charges a few notable fees, but you may be able to avoid several with the right choices. Get the details below.
Installation
Cox’s professional installation comes with a one-time $99 installation fee. However, self-installation is free. If you’re getting cable internet service, self-installation is typically pretty easy, so we recommend giving it a go. Fiber internet service will likely require a professional installation.
Equipment
Cox charges nearly double the monthly rental fee for an internet gateway compared to a standard modem. The difference between the two is the gateway includes a built-in router for Wi-Fi service. But you can supply your own router to connect to a Cox standard modem if you want to save a bit on rental fees and avoid the hefty $99 gateway activation fee.
Contracts
Cox contracts vary. Month-to-month options may be available on some plans, but the rates are significantly higher, sometimes over double the promotional pricing you get when signing a term contract. Term contracts may be for 12 or 24 months.
Cox Business Internet Bundles
Provider | Price | Speed | Phone Service | Order online |
---|---|---|---|---|
Business Internet 100 + VoiceManager Essential | $60.00/mo.* | Up to 100Mbps | Unlimited local calling w/ 20+ calling features | View Cox Business Plans for Cox Communications |
Business Internet 300 + VoiceManager Essential | $90.00/mo.* | Up to 300Mbps | Unlimited local calling w/ 20+ calling features | View Cox Business Plans for Cox Communications |
Business Internet 500 + VoiceManager Essential | $140.00/mo.* | Up to 500Mbps | Unlimited local calling w/ 20+ calling features | View Cox Business Plans for Cox Communications |
Business Internet 1 Gbps + VoiceManager Essential | $200.00/mo.* | Up to 1Gbps | Unlimited local calling w/ 20+ calling features | View Cox Business Plans for Cox Communications |
* Data as of 5/14/2023. Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location. Prices are with a term contract, after which standard rates apply.
Bundling Cox Business Internet and voice service introduces decent savings considering stand-alone phone service will run you $29 per month. When looking at the base price for Cox Business Internet 100 plus phone the stand-alone phone service rate, you get a discount just under $20 per month.
Cox Business vs. the competition
Provider | Plan price range | Speeds (range) | User rating* | Order online |
---|---|---|---|---|
$50.00–$250.00/mo.** | 100–1,000Mbps | 3.7/5* | View Cox Business Plans for Cox Communications | |
$40.00–$255.00/mo.‡ | 300–5,000Mbps | 3.9/5* | ||
$69.99–$129.99/mo.§ | 500–2,000Mbps | 3.5/5* | View Frontier Business Plans for Frontier |
*Based on our annual customer satisfaction survey
** Promotional pricing w/ a term contract. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change.
‡ Plus taxes and fees. Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds vary, not guaranteed.
§ For first 12 months w/Auto Pay. Max speeds are wired. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary.
Comparing Cox to other business internet providers reveals prices are a little steep for what you get. AT&T’s business plans start $10 below Cox’s cheapest plans and provide around three times the speed. The contrast is even stronger when considering AT&T’s business plans offer fiber internet connections and symmetrical speeds.
You may be able to get similar fiber service from Cox but only if you fall within its much more limited fiber footprint. Frontier’s business plans start a little higher than Cox’s, but so do the speeds, starting at five times the speed of Cox’s low-tier business plan. There’s no way around it, Cox business internet is expensive for what you get.
Our verdict: Is Cox Business Internet right for you?
Cox Business Internet covers all the bases for the fast and reliable service you need to run your business. Whether you fall into its fiber or cable internet footprint, the speeds are adequate and you get the business-exclusive benefit of unlimited data. The extra features and add-ons offer peace of mind through a cellular backup service and premium tech support that both step in to get through outages and tech crises.
The only drawback is the cost. Compared to other providers, the speeds offered are low for the price. However, as long as you appropriately assess your business’s needs and purchase an adequate speed, bandwidth won’t be a problem. Cox’s Business Internet representatives are happy to help you navigate their offerings for the best fit for your organization.
FAQ about Cox Business Internet
Does Cox Business offer fiber internet?
Cox Business vs. Residential: What's the difference?
Methodology
Our HighSpeedInternet.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our annual customer satisfaction survey, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to obtain hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees. We also monitor the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.