Forum Discussion

Tom_B66's avatar
Tom_B66
New Contributor
5 years ago

COVID19 and staying home

With people being encouraged to telework, schools being closed, etc how about removing bandwidth usage limits?

  • How about fix the non stop packet loss and latency issues?! 🙂

  • iamkimchi's avatar
    iamkimchi
    New Contributor III

    Yes, being that kids will be home more often, and in my case work-from-home.  It would be nice to see Cox's response to this.  

    • iamkimchi's avatar
      iamkimchi
      New Contributor III

      hah, can you tell me where we mine this bandwidth from that makes it so finite?

    • 2mustange's avatar
      2mustange
      New Contributor

      COX has the bandwidth don't kid yourself. If they cant handle the demand then they are bad at investing in their infrastructure

    • Pyroli's avatar
      Pyroli
      New Contributor

      I've worked for an ISP before and while what you say is technically correct it isn't correct in the way you are applying it. Bandwidth is finite depending on what it's being sent to. If they are still using COAX which uses copper as the conduit their bandwidth is decently low. If they are using a fiber network (which I'm pretty sure they go fiber until coax to the home) there really isn't much of a data cap as you are using light to transmit the data. The only bottle neck is the "last mile" which I explained above. Also keep in mind old cable (AKA coax) is only able to use manage about 100mbps. That's a tenth of fiber lines.

      • CurtB's avatar
        CurtB
        Valued Contributor III

        My previous comments were based upon my understanding that Internet bandwidth has limitations and all users on a given line share the bandwidth, each using their own portion at any one time.  Therefore, it seems logically that if too many people are using that bandwidth at the same time, some users won’t have sufficient bandwidth for their needs.  (I’ve read posts in this forum about users who feel their Internet issues are due to an over saturated node).  Based upon this premise, my previous post concern was that if all Cox Internet customers are free to use all the bandwidth they want, it might cause over saturation that could compromise Internet use for people forced to work from home during the crisis. 

        However, if there can be no bandwidth saturation caused by high usage, except for the “last mile” where fiber hasn't been installed yet (see below) , then Cox could waive data cap charges and expedite fiber conversion and new node installations where saturation exists.  But, Cox’s pledge didn’t say anything waiving data caps.

        According to this website, "AT&T said it would suspend broadband data caps".  Also, "Part of the Keep Americans Connected Pledge is also urging other companies to follow AT&T in suspending data caps...".


        According to an email I received from Cox today:

        In a legacy hybrid-fiber infrastructure, the line is fiber up to the “last mile.” However, new technology has been deployed in new-builds and our own network upgrades over the past several years. Infrastructure upgrades continue in all Cox markets, including construction to install new fiber optic cable in the neighborhoods we serve, updating nodes and pedestals, installing new nodes in highly saturated areas.  New technology being explored by all MSOs includes distributed access architecture and converged interconnected networks”.

        Cox doesn’t have fiber up to each home yet, but they’re working on it.

  • sdcox619's avatar
    sdcox619
    New Contributor

    Other providers are doing this and also increasing bandwidth speed for lower tear users. AT&T is waiving fees and Comcast is increasing speed on plans from 15/2Mbps to 25/3Mbps. I hope Cox will do something for at least a short period of time. 

    • StephanieS's avatar
      StephanieS
      Moderator
      Sdcox619

      Thanks so much for your feedback!

      StephanieS
      Cox Support Forums Moderator
    • bearone2's avatar
      bearone2
      Contributor III

      15/2 to 25/3 is somewhat different than bumping the 1024 up.

    • Tom_B66's avatar
      Tom_B66
      New Contributor

      EXACTLY.....others are doing it, why can't COX???

  • CrystalS's avatar
    CrystalS
    Former Moderator
    Hi Tom,

    Thank you for your feedback. As of now, we are monitoring the situation. I will give this feedback to our leadership. We always appreciate all feedback on how to serve our customers better.

    Crystal
    Cox Support Forum Moderator
    • 2mustange's avatar
      2mustange
      New Contributor

      With everyone staying home for both work and please. From parents to their kids. This needs to be addressed