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Brightspeed vs. Cox Internet Providers Compared

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Brightspeed Vs Cox

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Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Jul. 27, 2023 / Updated Nov. 3, 2025

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Brightspeed Vs Cox

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Plans starting at: $29.99

Popular Package: Up to 2Gbps

Download speeds up to: 8 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Plans starting at: $30

Popular Package: Cox Internet Gigablast

Download speeds up to: 1 Gbps

Connection Types: Cable

Call today & find the best COX internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Brightspeed Staff rating

4.0

Brightspeed's large network offers customers a planned transition from DSL to fiber

Brightspeed is a newer ISP that began offering internet services to customers in October 2022. Brightspeed bought out many networks previously owned by CenturyLink (Lumen's ILEC business) for $7.5 billion. That purchase instantly made Brightspeed the 12th-largest ISP in the U.S. [1]. The company's mission is to bring fiber internet to as many customers as possible, as soon as possible. Brightspeed launched its first Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network in March 2023 and has since made significant progress. The company has passed more than 2 million premises with fiber so far and expects to pass approximately 1 million additional homes in 2025 alone. With $575 million in new capital secured in June 2025 (expanding on $3.7 billion raised the previous year), plus more than $295 million in public broadband grants, Brightspeed is accelerating its fiber rollout to reach more than 5 million homes and businesses across its 20-state footprint in the coming years [4]. Brightspeed's goal to provide fiber to underserved areas is a worthy one. By creating more lightning-fast fiber infrastructure for those who currently lack access, Brightspeed is bringing opportunities to rural and suburban communities across 20 states in the Midwest, South, and on the East Coast. Customers will have ample support for remote jobs and responsive, smooth access to thousands of educational options online. The company's fiber network uses XGS-PON technology to deliver symmetrical multi-gig speeds across more than 530 communities [4]. All Brightspeed customers get the advantages of unlimited data and no contracts. Brightspeed also offers competitive, transparent pricing for its fiber plans. If customers are still on DSL, they will have to be patient with slower speeds while they wait for the fiber to arrive. The good news is that fiber is on the way, based on the aggressive buildout plans.

PROS

Attractive, transparent pricing for fast fiber speeds No data caps or contracts, free premium modem with fiber plans Rapid fiber buildout in progress

Cons

Some customers on DSL will wait for fiber buildout Slower speeds for DSL service New company still building operations
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

COX Staff rating

3.5

Cox offers gigabit download speeds, but at higher prices than competitors

Cox offers fast, reliable cable internet service and in a few select areas, all-fiber internet. But mostly, when you order Cox service, you’re going to get very fast cable internet up to about 2 Gigs. In fact, 99% of Cox’s customer base gets gigabit download speeds [1]. The lowest-priced plan will remain constant in price after the promotional period and has no monthly contract. All other plans go up by steep price increases of $25-$50 after the promotional rate ends. Overall, you are likely to pay more with Cox than with its cable or fiber competitors. That said, Cox may still be your best option if you happen to live in an area with no stronger fiber or cable internet providers who will give you more speed for your dollar. Beyond its service offerings and pricing structure, Cox has also been at the center of several major industry developments. Recently, Cox has been in the news for jointly defending its proposed $34.5 billion merger with Charter before the FCC, arguing that the two companies do not compete directly and are struggling with declining subscriber numbers [2]. They contend that critics’ claims of the firms becoming dominant “gatekeepers” are outdated and that the merger is necessary to keep their services competitive in today’s broadband market.

Additionally, the Supreme Court has recently signaled sympathy toward internet providers in a high-stakes copyright dispute with major record labels, raising concerns that a ruling for the music industry could force ISPs to police users or disconnect entire households, campuses, or towns [3]. The justices appeared wary of the sweeping consequences proposed by the labels, even as they pressed Cox Communications on the limits of its legal theory.

The developments ultimately highlight how Cox’s role in broadband extends beyond day-to-day internet service and into broader regulatory and industry-wide challenges.

PROS

Wide availability of gigabit download speeds Data caps are high at 1.2 TB, decreasing likelihood of overages Reliability of cable connection

Cons

Big price hikes after promotional rates Data caps may result in overage charges Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Call today & find the best COX internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Brightspeed Pricing

4.0

Brightspeed offers a very good deal on fiber internet with simple and straightforward pricing

One of Brightspeed’s real strengths is transparent pricing. Currently, there are no data caps, and no required contracts, which means you won’t get hidden fees popping up on your monthly bills as you will with many other ISPs. Brightspeed internet plan prices are excellent for fiber internet. The best part is that there are no surprise price hikes after promotional rates, which is standard practice with other providers. With Brightspeed Fiber, you can count on consistent pricing that gives you a lot of speed for a very attractive monthly cost. Brightspeed DSL pricing is not quite as good a deal because a DSL user’s internet speed and performance will be so much lower. But Brightspeed DSL may still be your best option if you have no other available cable or fiber providers in your area. Brightspeed is an active supporter of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. If you qualify for the program, which offers payment assistance for lower-income households, Brightspeed will match your ACP payment assistance. This very unusual benefit will result in your internet service being free of charge or almost free.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Cox Pricing

3.0

Be aware of price hikes and data overage for heavy-streaming households

Cox offers a first-tier plan at $55/month for up to 300 Mbps download speeds. That's about $.18 per Mbps, which is on the higher end of the pricing scale. The good news is that Cox's first-tier price is the standard price, so it won’t go up automatically after a promotional period. Unfortunately, the higher speed plans do have steep price hikes after the first year’s promotional rate. And when those price increases kick in, you’ll be paying more per month, on average, than you would for the same speeds through Xfinity or Spectrum. In addition, there’s a monthly rental fee for the Cox modem/router of $13, though you are allowed to buy your own compatible router if you wish. Another big question about Cox pricing will be how much data you use. Cox does have a data cap. The cap is high at 1.25 TB [4], so many households will never exceed it. It's worth noting, though, that the share of U.S. broadband subscribers using at least 1 TB of data per month has risen to nearly 25% in Q4 2024 [5]... up from 14% in 2022 [6]. And if you do exceed your cap, you will face overage charges [7]. In other words, if you are a heavy data user, you may end up with a higher monthly bill. So be aware of these data caps as a factor in your pricing if you live in a household with multiple people who stream 4K or play real-time games online every day. If your internet activities don’t include lots of HD streaming, gaming, or large file uploads, or you only have one or two household members, you are unlikely to exceed your monthly data cap.
Call today & find the best COX internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Brightspeed Reliability and Performance

3.8

Brightspeed Fiber will offer premium gigabit speed and reliability, but DSL performance will vary

If Brightspeed Fiber is available in your area, you will be getting fiber’s well-known gigabit speeds as well as a fiber connection that doesn’t slow down or glitch. Brightspeed Fiber will equip you for any internet activities you like, including online gaming, videoconferencing, and HD streaming on multiple devices. Like most fiber connections, Brightspeed will give you symmetrical upload and download speeds—an amazing advance over previous technologies. If Brightspeed is still offering DSL in your area, your performance and speed will vary depending on your location. Your download speed and your upload speed with a DSL connection will be slower than with fiber internet. You also may have higher latency than you will with fiber or cable. You can check your actual speed with our internet speed test. In many areas where Brightspeed offers DSL, there is no fiber or cable option yet. So Brightspeed may still be your best bet. You can order DSL and look forward to your turn on Brightspeed’s fiber installation list. And with the rapid pace of their planned fiber expansion, you might be next!
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Cox Reliability and Performance

4.0

Years of solid operations equip Cox with reliable infrastructure

Cox has a thirty-year record of delivering internet access to customers. This means that when you order internet service, it will work as it should the vast majority of the time. Cox home internet serves metro areas in 18 states. Cox Communications remains a major U.S. broadband provider with around 6–6.5 million residential and commercial customers under its own brand. With its 2025 proposed merger with Charter Communications, the combined company would serve roughly 35.9 million broadband subscribers — making it, if approved, the largest cable/broadband operator in the United States [8]. Cox uses hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) technology, like its major competitors Xfinity and Spectrum. Ordinarily, your internet service will be carried by fiber-optic lines along the main arteries until it gets within about a mile of your house. Somewhere near that point, the network will switch to copper coaxial cable. This structure is called Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN). It is faster than an all-copper network, but not as fast as all-fiber, which is also known as Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH). Cox does offer a small percentage of all-fiber connections and is building out more, but for the moment, you are most likely to get HFC, i.e., cable internet service [9]. Download speeds with Cox’s cable internet will go as high as 2,000 Mbps in some areas, and upload speeds will top out around 200 Mbps. Though this upload speed is far below the symmetrical high speeds of an all-fiber connection, Cox cable internet still provides plenty of speed for most households. Cox uses data caps of 1.25 TB/month on its plans. This allowance will provide plenty of data for most households. But if you have a large household and you all do unusually heavy streaming or gaming to go over 1 TB, you may incur up to a maximum of $100 in overage charges. You can get Cox plans with unlimited data, but only by paying more each month for an unlimited plan.
Call today & find the best COX internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Brightspeed Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.3

Brightspeed offers advanced Wi-Fi in combo modem/router

If you order a Brightspeed Fiber plan, you will get free access to a premium Wi-Fi modem with Wi-Fi 6 technology. That advanced capability will give you 3 to 4 times faster connectivity. The modem will have greater data capacity and support extended battery life for in-home devices. (Your devices will need to be compatible with Wi-Fi 6 in order to perform at this higher level.) Modems that might come with your package would include the Actiontec C3000A, the Axon C4000, the Zyxel C4000, and the Zyxel C3000Z [3]. For some other Brightspeed plans, you may pay a $15/month equipment rental fee for your combo modem and router. Installation fees will also vary with your plan. You will get free installation for a DSL self-install or a technician installation of higher-speed fiber packages. A technician installation for DSL or a first-tier fiber plan will require a one-time $99 fee.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Cox Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.0

Cox offers optional self-installation, charges equipment rental fee

When you order Cox internet service, you will be able to select either professional installation or self-installation. Self-installation will save you about $100, as long as you’re willing to deal with instructions for connection and activation. If you want to use a Cox-supplied modem/router, you will get their Panoramic Wi-Fi gateway [10]. Higher-tier plans will receive a Wi-Fi 6 gateway, while the lower tier of plans will have a more typical Wi-Fi 5 compatible device. All customers will pay a $13/month rental fee for the equipment in addition to their monthly plan fee. However, Cox will forego the fee if you use your own compatible modem/router, which may make it cheaper in the long run for you to buy one rather than renting.
Call today & find the best COX internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Brightspeed Experience & Support

4.0

Brightspeed’s customer support is robust

Brightspeed receives 4 stars for Customer Service, with a promising beginning for a new company. Brightspeed provides a 24/7 chat interface for support as well as a helpline. The company also has a website with resources and FAQs to assist with simple questions. Some helpful features on the website include a troubleshooting & outage check, a tracker to tell you where your technician is, and a service appointment manager. A “quick bill pay” function will come in handy too. The Brightspeed Fiber network is very strong and is now producing a lot of customer satisfaction. With their rapid fiber buildout and commitment to customer service, we recommend Brightspeed as a good choice for your internet service, both now and for the future.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Cox Experience & Support

2.0

Cox customer service ranks below average on national surveys

Cox gets a resounding "meh" for customer service on recognized national surveys of customer satisfaction such as the J.D. Power survey [11]. Cox ranks below average in each region where it provides service. In 2025, Cox scored 68 out of 100 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), which places it just below the 70/100 average for non-fiber internet providers [12].

In an industry not known for good customer service, it's hard to split hairs about exactly what the rankings mean. Even some of the best ISPs occasionally get their share of negativity when you look up review compilation maps [13]. But despite TrustPilot's 1-star rating (based on over 1,400 reviews) [14], because J.D. Power and ACSI are widely regarded as among the more objective rating systems, we're going to give Cox 2 stars for customer service.

Call today & find the best COX internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Brightspeed FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit BrightspeedSavings.com.
Brightspeed does not impose data caps on its internet service. You can enjoy unlimited data usage without worrying about any restrictions or additional charges.
Brightspeed offers several no-cost modem options for fiber installations, including premium Wi-Fi 6-capable modems. These modems are optimized to deliver the fiber connection into your home and come with remote network support from the Brightspeed customer success team. Newer fiber installations may include the Calix Wi-Fi router and mesh Wi-Fi extenders at no additional charge.
Yes, you can choose to provide your own Wi-Fi router if it meets certain specifications, such as maximum bandwidth capability equal to your purchased internet speed, a 1 Gbps Ethernet WAN port, DHCP to obtain a WAN IP Address, the same or newer Wi-Fi technology as your connected devices, accurate auto-channel selection, and firewall support. However, by using your own router, you won't get the benefits of using a Brightspeed modem, such as built-in security features and technical support from the Fiber Customer Success Team.
Restarting your modem/router (gateway) is often the first step in troubleshooting connection problems. You can simply unplug it for 30 seconds and then plug it back in.
Brightspeed provides special programs to support low-income customers. They offer affordable internet options and participate in initiatives like the Affordable Connectivity Program to ensure that everyone has access to reliable and affordable internet service. Your customer support rep can help you set up your ACP benefit if you qualify.
Yes, Brightspeed is actively expanding its fiber infrastructure to provide high-speed internet access to more areas. They are committed to improving connectivity and delivering reliable fiber-optic internet service to customers. For specific information about the availability of fiber in your location, please contact the Brightspeed customer support team.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Cox FAQ's

Cox provides a convenient self-installation option called Easy Connect. With Easy Connect, you can use a self-installation kit to set up your new internet or phone modem or TV receiver. The process is simple and involves following a few easy steps outlined in the self-installation guides provided by Cox.
Panoramic Wi-Fi from Cox is an innovative high-speed internet experience designed to meet your needs. It offers fast and reliable speeds throughout your home, along with support tools to manage your home network effectively. With Panoramic Wi-Fi, you can enjoy wall-to-wall Wi-Fi coverage and faster speeds for all your internet activities.
Cox Hotspots are a network of Wi-Fi hotspots available nationwide. They are accessible to Cox Internet Preferred and higher plans. When you're near a hotspot, you can connect to them by searching for available networks using your smart devices. By using Cox Hotspots with your Cox login credentials, you can save on cellular data usage while enjoying internet connectivity on the go.
Yes, Cox allows you to change your home internet speed whenever your needs change. If you require faster or slower internet speeds, you have the flexibility to adjust your plan accordingly. Cox offers a range of internet plans to cater to different speed requirements. You can explore the available options and select the plan that best suits your needs. You can test your internet speed here.
All of Cox’s internet plans come with 1.2 GB of data per month. Cox offers two additional data plans beyond the monthly plan that is included in your service. These additional data plans provide you with more internet data to meet your usage needs if you are a heavy data user.
Yes, you can set up a new Cox email address. Cox provides email services to its customers, allowing them to create personalized email accounts.
Call today & find the best COX internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Brightspeed Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
1 MONTH FREE + $200 Reward Card
Up To 8GbpsFiber InternetUp to 8,000 Mbps Only $99.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
1 MONTH FREE + $200 Reward Card
Up To 2GbpsFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $79.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
$100 Reward Card
Faster 500MbpsFiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $44.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Fast 200MbpsFiber InternetUp to 200 Mbps Only $29.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
1 MONTH FREE + $100 Reward Card
Up To 1GbpsFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $59.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Cox Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
INCLUDES Panoramic Wifi equipment
Cox Internet GigablastCable InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $110
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
INCLUDES Panoramic Wifi equipment
Cox Internet Ultimate 500Cable InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $80
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
INCLUDES Panoramic Wifi equipment
Cox Internet Preferred 250Cable InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
INCLUDES Panoramic Wifi equipment
Internet Essential 100Cable InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $30
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best COX internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Brightspeed Customers Review

4.0
Pricing
4.0
3.8
Reliability & Performance
3.8
4.3
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.3
4.0
Customer Experience & Support
4.0
4.0
Overall Rating
4.0
Whitman B
5.0
from Holly Ridge, NC on December 2025
My connection has been so much better than previous Internet provider. I get three times the quality of service than previously overall great experience and very happy with Brightspeed.
Cindy Valencik
4.8
from Dothan, AL on December 2025
Excellent service!!!! Soo happy we made the switch from Xfinity
Kiyanna St.John
4.5
from Kinston, NC on December 2025
Good service
Derrell K
5.0
from Chandler, TX on December 2025
Best internet hands down!!
Brenda B
5.0
from Foley, AL on December 2025
Techs arrived right in the time frame they were supposed to be there. There were some hiccups with the install, but they came up with good solutions. It did take a little time because it was Black Friday, but overall a very good experience.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Cox Customers Review

3.0
Pricing
3.0
4.0
Reliability & Performance
4.0
4.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.0
2.0
Customer Experience & Support
2.0
3.5
Overall Rating
3.5
James Heaton
1.0
from Crestview, FL on September 2025
Cox is to expensive
Jason Merrifield
1.0
from Tucson, AZ on September 2025
Just read the other reviews. This is crap. IF there was ANY other real choice I would dump Cox in a second. I am paying for a GIG connections and am getting 30 mgb. I spent an hour arguing with chat to get a phone number so I could talk to a person. Then when I asked for compensation they transferred me to a dead line. Yep this is worth the 110 a month. There is no proactive maintenance on their infrastructure. The online tech said the in home amp needed to be disconnected........I dont have an in home amp. So now here I get to sit for the rest of Saturday and hope a Tech can help and if not today I have to be home tomorrow so they can maybe show up. Find a different service provider.
H Meyers
2.0
from Omaha, NE on September 2025
I've had Cox since 1987. Years ago, it was moderately priced and customer service was excellent. It has progressively got worse and worse to the point that it has taken 3 months and endless hours to fix my current problem. The phone customer service staff don't know what they are doing - and won's ask for help. Cox doesn't check on their end to make sure they've done what they need to. For example, I recently had to upgrade equipment twice (their error) and they managed to disconnect my landline for almost three weeks because they didn't flip a switch. Then, a two-hour (and twice disconnected on their end) argument about obtaining credit for the time I didn't have phone service. This particular problem has happened at least three times in the past. The pricing is a shell game, as every time I call I get different explanations - and some differ. Be sure if you talk to them to threaten to leave and behold! you can get the new subscriber deals, and some others they seem to pull out of a hat. Service in my neighborhood (Benson) is unreliable, to the point that we neighbors call each other to see if *we* can identify the issue. Cox's first response is always that it is our personal equipment - and nothing on their end. It is ALWAYS on their end. Techs and customer service seldom completely know what they are doing. Now they are obviously contracting overseas so the people on the phone, while speaking English, have such heavy accents that neither of us can understand each other. Which adds to the confusion. If you are in Omaha and your area has access to fiber - go for it. In older parts of Omaha, like mine, where Cox was the only game in town for decades, their equipment and the cable is old and not upgraded unless it fails completely. It is above ground and subject to weather (rain, snow, cold, wind, fallen trees). We pay the same as West Omaha for questionable service. Do not rely on Cox for landline service. I finally had to get a cell phone so I can call Cox at least once a month when service is interrupted or fails. Their prices keep going up as they add services with fancy names but no real advantage to the customer, especially as they can't provide steady service. Most of us are okay with the speeds we have if only we could count on it! To add to the insult, they have now trained staff in some happy clappy reassuring customer service language to praise the customer for things like "being so smart to figure that out" and "you are being so patient." We are not dogs; we know they are desperately trying to salvage their ratings. It is insulting and patronizing. They give a one-minute thank you at the end of the call - wasting even more time after two hours mostly on hold with them. Really - just fix the service. Fast. Or cut the prices and be honest.
dennis cuccarese
3.5
from El Cajon, CA on September 2025
cost is too high
Maria Brown
4.0
from Las Vegas, NV on August 2025
The service was spotty at times. No internet service for hours sometimes.
Call today & find the best COX internet deals
1-833-864-0259