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We compare internet service providers side-by- side to show you the key differences to make smarter decisions when choosing your tv, internet, phone options.

CenturyLink vs Cox Communications

CenturyLink Deals and Promotions

Cheap Internet
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(844) 366-4801

CenturyLink OVERVIEW

CenturyLink is a communications company that provides DSL and fiber Internet, phone, and TV service. Their TV offerings are marketed under the name “PRISMTV.”

CenturyLink TECHNOLOGY

Centurylink offers internet, TV, and phone service to consumers using two primary technologies: DSL and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH).

DSL is an older internet technology that uses Centurylink’s existing telephone infrastructure to deliver internet service. While DSL networks don’t offer the fastest speeds or lowest latencies, they are widely available and generally less expensive than other alternatives since they travel over the same cheap, readily available cables that carry telephone data.

If you are considering DSL, make sure to check the speeds available in your area as they can vary dramatically depending on your local infrastructure and distance between your house and the provider’s local office.

Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), on the other hand, is widely considered the next generation of consumer internet access. In an FTTH implementation, Centurylink delivers a fiber optic connection directly to your residence, resulting in higher bandwidth and lower latency. The only problem with FTTH is that installing fiber optic cables are expensive, so this type of service is not widely available and usually comes with a higher monthly cost than DSL, cable, or fixed wireless.

CenturyLink RATINGS AND REVIEWS

Cheap Internet
Cheap Internet
35.3% recommendation rating according to 55,288 verified users.
Cox Communications Deals and Promotions
Cheap Internet
SETUP SERVICE

(844) 280-8276

Cox Communications OVERVIEW

Cox Communications is a cable broadband provider offering cable Internet, TV, and phone service in addition to connected home security and automation products in several states across the US.

Cox Communications TECHNOLOGY

The company delivers broadband Internet service via a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network. While the “backbone” of the network transmits data over next-generation fiber optic cables, these cables terminate at nodes within neighborhoods which then branch off via coaxial cable to serve individual subscribers.

Any given node may serve anywhere from 50–2,000 residences, using a technology called “statistical multiplexing” to effectively share bandwidth between customers on a node. This is why cable Internet sometimes slows down at peak usage times, when dozens to hundreds of Internet users try to send and receive data over the same fiber-optic cable simultaneously.

Cox Communications RATINGS AND REVIEWS

Cheap Internet
Cheap Internet
45.1% recommendation rating according to 33,582 verified Cox users.
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BUYING VS RENTING

Many customers can cut costs by buying their own modem

Modem rentals are a standard part of many broadband plans, thanks to the convenience of combo units that make “plug and play” self-installation a breeze.

With that in mind, subscribers often find that the modest monthly rental fees will add up to the retail cost of a new modem within the year. Why pay a premium for old hardware, especially when owning your own modem and router opens up so many options so far as security, customization, and network control?

The only catch here is that providers aren’t always friendly to every brand and type of modem and router, so you’ll need to make sure the model you purchase works with your plan. This matters even more for customers who move or switch providers regularly, as they can easily wind up stuck with a modem that no longer works for their plan.

UNDERSTANDING THE FINE PRINT

Understanding termination fees and final prices is key

Centurylink and Cox Communications both offer TV and phone in addition to broadband Internet service. The details of these offerings differ, but the marketing tactics are the same: signing up for more services usually comes with a discount for loyalty.

Steep discounts for “triple play” and “double play” Internet/Phone/TV plans are a common incentive for luring new customers. Shoppers need to be aware that signing a multi-year contract can become expensive if the final price they pay once the promotion ends is more than they want to pay. ETFs (early termination fees) can make it difficult to switch if prices rise, so be sure to compare the final monthly price of competing plans, not just the “limited time offer.”

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