Networking

Cox Communications (“Cox”) is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing internet, TV, phone, and smart home security solutions to residential customers across the US over its own nationwide IP network. Currently providing service in 19 states, 1,300 zip codes, and over 6 million homes and businesses across the country, Cox is the largest private telecom company in America. Cox claims to be no. 1 for streaming video according to Nielsen data and an analysis done by Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence data. Likewise, Cox offers the fastest speeds everywhere (in locations where Cox is available), access to over 3 million wifi hotspots while travelling, a free security suite, and Gig speed connections. However, Cox is more than just an internet provider as it vies to compete with the likes of Sling, Hulu, DirecTV, and YouTubeTV as an OnDemand TV provider.   Cox says it’s committed to bringing the fastest speeds to its customers. In October of 2019, Cox announced an automatic increase in speeds for the Connect2Compete customers, the low-cost product targeted at first-time internet subscribers. On the other end of the spectrum, Cox launched its EliteGamer service to enhance the gaming experience and improve connections between servers and players across its footprint in June 2020. Despite efforts to bring faster speeds to all tiers of customers and services, Cox has been imposing slowdowns to internet speeds in effort to curb excessive usage despite unlimited data. All Cox internet plans include 1.25 TB per month of data usage, but users with exceptionally high data usage are being asked to curb their usage or face termination of service.

Best forUser-friendly websiteClearly communicated pricingNot forLow pricesBundling optionsCox internet plans and pricesPlanPriceDownload/Upload SpeedConnection TypeBest forInternet Starter$20/mo10 MbpsCableLight StreamersStraightUp Internet$50/mo25 MbpsCablePrepaid service for those seeking flexibility & no contractsInternet Essential$30/mo50 MbpsCableSocial NetworkersInternet Preferred$50/mo150 MbpsCableFrequent Online GamersInternet Ultimate$70/mo500 MbpsCableHouse of MultitaskersGigablast$100/mo940 MbpsCable/FiberMega UsersData effective 9/28/2020* Package availability depends on location, prices may vary

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Cable plans, speed, and data

Cox makes shopping for the right plan online easy, eliminating the need to sit on the phone with a sales rep for an hour. After entering your address on the site and confirming service is available in your area, you can view promotional pricing by service or bundle. Post-promotional pricing is also clearly displayed. There are typically six plans to choose from between 10 Mbps and 940 Mbps — speeds for any lifestyle. Pricing ranges from $20 per month to $100 per month and will rise after the first year by about $15 to $30 per month, depending on the plan.Once you select a service, the website will walk you through “customizations” to your service by offering additional products and rental internet equipment. Finally, you will enter your personal information to create a profile and verify your identity and perform a routine credit check. 

Who is each Cox plan best for?

Internet Starter — Best for light streamers, because streaming in SD and downloading photos, music, etc. Uses minimal bandwidth.StraightUp Internet — Best for individuals seeking a no-surprises service. This plan includes a modem and eliminates the annual contract, credit check, deposit and any additional fees. Internet Essential — Best for social networkers, because fast uploads allow you to post photos and videos quicker.Internet Preferred — Best for frequent online gamers, because fast download and upload speeds help guard against lag.Internet Ultimate — Best for a house of multitaskers, because the increased bandwidth supports multiple users across multiple devices.Gigablast — Best for mega users, because gigabit speeds allow you to perform data-heavy tasks lightning fast.

How fast is Cox internet?

In the FCC’s seventh Measuring Fixed Broadband Report, the FCC analyzed the actual speeds customers were receiving from internet providers, against the speeds advertised. Cox performed pretty well, with its customers receiving 95% or more of advertised speeds about 90% of the time. It beat out Comcast, Mediacom, and Time Warner for cable providers. This report tells us you’re likely to experience internet speeds as advertised. 

Internet availability

Cox is one of the most widely available cable internet providers with a presence in 19 states. Its strongest coverage areas include Arizona, California, Nevada, and Virginia. 

Other factors to consider

Simple equipmentYour internet plan will come with Cox’s Panoramic WiFi, its version of a mesh WiFi system. Mesh WiFi uses a web of connected devices to provide better internet coverage throughout the house. Replacing the single router system can mean no weird dead zones in the basement or around corners. It’s $11 per month, a standard fee for renting internet equipment. There’s also a Panoramic WiFi app that lets you view and manage any connected devices and the WiFi connection. You can easily pause it for dinner or set time limitations on certain devices. The device also automatically updates itself for security and firmware updates. Contracts and feesA 12-month contract is standard for Cox internet plans — pretty standard for the industry. If this sounds like a big commitment, Cox does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you’ll have some time to try the service out. You can also opt for a month-to-month contract for $10 more per month. Cox doesn’t have many other fees. It’ll cost $11 per month for the Panoramic WiFi Gateway, and if you bundle TV and internet, there may be a $50 installation fee. Notable fees$10 charge for up to 50 GB of additional data$11/mo Panoramic WiFi Gateway$5/mo Additional Elite Gamer Connections$10/mo Cox Complete Care$50 Installation Fee (on TV/Internet bundles)*Sometimes waived for certain packages or online orders.TV bundlesYou can add a TV package to your internet service for between $16 more per month. The channel packages range from 75 to 250 channels. The Contour TV Ultimate plan, the 250+ channel package, includes NFL RedZone, HBO, Cinemax, and Playboy. Otherwise, these channels are optional on a channel-by-channel basis to the Contour TV plan (140+ channels) only. Customer serviceCox earns pretty average satisfaction ratings compared to other ISPs. In J.D. Power’s 2020 survey, it scored right around the industry average in all three regions it covers. The study polls customers’ opinions on performance, cost, billing, and communication. Cox received lower scores in cost of service and communication, but overall, the company does as good a job as most providers. 

Cox vs. other providers

 Starting PriceSpeeds ConnectionConnectionContractCox$20/mo. *10-940 MbpsCable, Fiber12 months, month-to-month*& no contractsFrontier$40/mo. *DSL: 6-45 MbpsFiber: 50-940 MbpsDSL, FiberNo contractsAT&T$50/mo.*DSL: 10-100 MbpsFiber: 940 MbpsDSL, Fiber1 year*Xfinity$20/mo*25-1,000 MbpsCable, Fiber12 months, month-to-month **Prices for stand-alone internet service, current at time of publication. Prices may vary by location. Contract length may vary and it’s subject to the starting price presented above.

Cox Communications vs. AT&T

While the two providers do have overlap in their coverage area, several factors should weigh into your decision on which carrier to choose as your internet service provider. AT&T provides internet through Fiber and DSL while Cox utilizes Fiber and cable. Fiber is far superior to both DSL and cable, yet access to fiber is highly dependent on your locale. If it comes down to DSL versus cable, Cox will generally offer a better connection than you’d get through AT&T’s DSL. Despite the variables in comparing the speed of the two providers, price-sensitive customers will often find that Cox is the most transparent about its pricing and contract structure. 

Cox Communications vs. Xfinity

Both Cox and Xfinity provide internet service via cable or fiber and offer several plan speeds. Xfinity has a slightly larger coverage area and may be more accessible than Cox. When it comes to value, though, Xfinity provides a little more bang for the buck. For example, Xfinity’s 150 Mbps plan comes in at $55 dollars versus $60 with Cox.

How much does Cox charge for the internet?

Cox offers internet packages beginning at $10 per month for download speeds of 10 Mbps. More robust and sophisticated users can select a range of packages and download speeds up to the Gigablast package offering 1 Gbps of download speeds (via Fiber where available) for $120 per month. 

Does Cox offer the internet only?

In addition to internet service, Cox offers a variety of broadband services ranging from streaming television, phone, and security monitoring. 

How much is Cox internet after 12 months?

Cox offers new customers promotional pricing for the duration of the term of their signed contract. Typically, promotional pricing is offered for a 12 month contract. Upon the expiration of the contract, pricing increases average approximately $30 per month depending upon your package. Cox’s website offers clear visibility into pricing and fees by month to provide more transparency to customers than the average provider. 

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Fast facts:Our analysis of data from major ISPs found that the average customer who rents equipment for their internet service could save upwards of $150 per year by purchasing their own router.In contrast, a top-rated router can be as cheap as $70 as a one-time expense.

Purchasing personal equipment will save consumers $750 over the lifetime of a router and thousands more over a lifetime of internet usage.It’s something that most people don’t think about, but when they sign up for residential internet service, there are often several hidden costs that can drastically increase their monthly bill. One of the most expensive additions is paying to rent equipment directly from the ISP like a router and modem. While most people might not notice a $10-$15 addition on the cable bill each month, over the lifetime of a service plan, those costs can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in unnecessary fees.To get a specific number, we pulled data from all major ISPs to average out how much customers are paying to rent equipment directly from their cable company. For internet service, for example, the average customer is paying between $12-$15 per month to rent equipment like a router and modem.Over the lifetime of a cable contract, this could end up being thousands of dollars. In other words, you could end up making costly payments for a piece of equipment that costs less than $100 that will last years.By researching major e-commerce platforms, consumers can easily find a high-quality router for $50-$70, depending on their needs. This one-time expense will pay for itself in under six months, and will rarely need a replacement or upgrade. Even more expensive, top-of-the-line routers will pay for themselves within a year or two.

There might be an argument that many consumers feel intimidated by managing their own equipment, as things like set up and maintenance can feel technically demanding for the average person. While most ISPs won’t provide service on the equipment you’re not renting from them, it’s rare for a router to need much more maintenance than the occasional reset. Once the initial setup is complete, it would be unusual to need much more technical support.We spoke with several cable customers about their experience setting up their own router, and they found it to be far less complicated than they had imagined.

“It took maybe 15 minutes and I’m not a technical person. I followed the instructions in the box and had my own router working with no issues at all,” one respondent said when asked about their experience.It can be important to upgrade equipment every so often, but it’s not an annual requirement or even every two to three-year commitment. While the demand for faster downloads for things like movies and TV streaming services or online games has never been higher, most routers will be up to the task for years to come. And while technology and security changes may cause the need for an update after five years or so, major brands will continue to support their products.If you are looking for a simple way to trim expenses from your monthly budget, consider purchasing your own router instead of renting it directly from your ISP.

Networking More

ProtonVPN has long been a good Virtual Private Network (VPN) system. But, now that it’s sped up its connection by up to 400%, it demands your attention.

This new speed boost “VPN Accelerator,” is enabled by default on all ProtonVPN paid accounts and with all the ProtonVPN apps. It also works with all of ProtonVPN and is available for all users. VPN Accelerator will give you its speed boost no matter which VPN protocol you use:  OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, Wireguard, or IKEv2 VPN protocols.How? By making a variety of improvements. For example, to give the popular OpenVPN and other single-threaded protocols a kick in the pants, ProtonVPN has re-written OpenVPN so that multiple OpenVPN processes per server now run to take advantage of multi-core processors. That’s a good start, but to further improve it, since by itself this doesn’t properly load-balance OpenVPN processes, other code changes make sure the OpenVPN load is properly distributed between the multiple processes. Similar techniques were applied by other VPN protocols.TCP, the internet’s fundamental network protocol, overall throughput is inversely proportional to latency and packet loss. In English, the more slowdowns and data loss there is in a connection, the slower the connection will go. In practical terms, the farther away a server is from you, the more likely it is you’ll have poor latency and lose data packets. The result is lower network speeds. This isn’t a VPN problem, it’s just the nature of the internet. But, VPNs tend to amplify this program by increasing the distance of the end-to-end path from your device to the final server. As Andy Yen, ProtonVPN’s co-founder explained, “To give an extreme example, if you were in Switzerland, connected to a server in New Zealand, and visited a website in the US, your traffic would travel most of the way around the world, resulting in approximately 600 ms of round trip delay (RTD) latency.”To address this issue, ProtonVPN breaks up the 600 ms path into shorter paths. This gives you much faster throughput along each of the shorter paths. The net result is better-combined performance over the entire connection. To squeeze even more speed from the connection, VPN Accelerator also uses the TCP delay-controlled flow control algorithm BBR on longer paths or congested networks, which suffer from packet loss. BBR recovers faster and ramps up quicker once a data transfer starts. 

How important is this? According to Yen, “For high latency servers, or when there is packet loss, the performance increase can be game-changing. … Even with just 1.5% packet loss, BBR provides a 100x performance improvement compared to other congestion control algorithms.” That’s impressive.ProtonVPN also did some tuning on Linux’s TCP congestion algorithms and protocol-specific issues that can lead to networking socket stalls. The program also now circumvents the normal packet processing path for “known traffic.” This significantly increases speed while decreasing latency. Finally, as before, ProtonVPN doesn’t use virtual machines (VM)s or containers. Instead, its entire infrastructure runs on bare-metal servers. This eliminates forwarding encrypted packets between VMs or containers and their host machines. This also reduces latency and boosts speed.When you put it all together, as a user you’ll see the greatest gains when you access a site located far away from you. When you connect to a server that’s close by, you may not see significant speed improvements. But, you don’t have to worry about that. ProtonVPN does all this invisibly and automatically. In practice, I found ProtonVPN delivered the speed goods when I used it from my home office in Asheville, NC to connect with sites in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan, and New Zealand. The speed increase wasn’t as noticeable, however, when I used it to connect with sites in the States. If this sounds like ProtonVPN’s developers really know their networking stuff it’s because they do. The company was founded by CERN (European Center for Nuclear Research) engineers and scientists who wanted to protect activists and journalists with the best possible technical protection. Besides technology, ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland with its very strong privacy laws.ProtonVPN will run on pretty much any platform you want to use it on. It comes with a variety of service levels and prices. It also has a free tier.

I usually recommend avoiding free VPN services, but I’ll make an exception for ProtonVPN. While this service only offers 23 servers in 3 countries with a single speed-limited VPN connection, it doesn’t throttle your traffic. You can use it for free all year round. Next up is ProtonVPN Basic. This costs $5 per month or $4 a month on the $48 annual plan. With this tier, you can use 350+ servers in 40+ countries. P2P and BitTorrent file sharing are also allowed at this tier and you get access to the NetShield adblocker.At the top, you’ll find the ProtonVPN Plus plan. For this level of network protection, you’ll pay $10 a month or $8 a month with a yearly $96 plan. With this plan, you can use 1200+ servers in 55 countries with over 10 simultaneous VPN connections. It also supports internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps. I wish I could get speeds like that! This level also supports streaming services. Finally, it also includes Secure Core VPN, which bounces your traffic across ProtonVPN servers to make it even harder to track, and TOR over VPN, which uses the TOR network to further hide your online tracks. In addition, for $288 a year, the Visionary plan gives you everything you get with Plus and a ProtonMail Visionary email account. This is a high-security email plan. It provides you with end-to-end encryption and zero-access encrypted email. Only you and the people you send messages to can read your mail. No one else can, including Proton.  So, if you’re really serious about security and you want good VPN performance as well I recommend you give ProtonVPN a try. They’re, in a word, impressive. 

Simultaneous Connections: Depends on the plan.Kill Switch: YesPlatforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routersLogging: None, except billing dataCountries: 55Servers: 1,200+Trial/MBG: 30 day

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NBN announced on Friday that it has hit 100% coverage on the Australian mainland, Tasmania, as well as “large islands and hard to reach remote locations” that include Christmas Island, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Island. The company said this was an increase of 7 percentage points on the 93% of eligible businesses it could previously offer. It added that it has also reduced its Layer 3 Business Satellite Service Access Bandwidth Service wholesale pricing to retailers by 40% when they sign up to “extended contract terms” with NBN. The service offered is claimed to deliver “consistent wholesale speeds” up to 50/13 Mbps. “Whether to connect remote health facilities, mining operations, or large-scale agriculture, these enhancements help make the business NBN satellite service more accessible for eligible businesses and government organisations even in the most remote parts of continent and we look forward to delivering new capabilities to further improve the service in the future,” NBN chief development officer for regional and remote Gavin Williams said. Earlier this year, the Elon Musk-fronted SpaceX told an Australian parliamentary committee that the company could begin to offer its Starlink broadband services to the nation’s external territories as early as 2022. “Certain more proximate islands within the external territories, notably the Ashmore, Cartier, and Coral Sea Islands, could be served by early 2022, when SpaceX has more fully populated its satellite constellation with ongoing launches and with the establishment of gateway earth stations at proximate mainland locations,” it said. While geostationary satellites, like the Sky Muster ones used by NBN, have latency in the order of 600-800ms, those in low Earth orbit can provide 20-40ms of latency. Starlink users last year saw internet speeds of 134Mbps.

During the same hearing, the Norfolk Island Regional Council pushed for the island to return to the way it was, which means restoring a cable connection to the island, despite the island having its own NBN Sky Muster spot beam. The council spent AU$8 million over five years on satellite connectivity, and for its money, it now gets a 113/37Mbps primary link with a 20/4Mbps redundant link. Norfolk Island previously had a cable connection, but it was cut. The island still has a cable landing station, and in 2003 the Australian government paid to have an “extensive underground” fibre to the node network installed, which now uses satellite backhaul. On Thursday, NBN said it would provide AU$5.2 million in the form of a “COVID-19 relief credit payment” to cover overage charges paid by retailers due to bandwidth spikes caused by lockdowns in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Related Coverage More

The Internet Isn’t OptionalThe internet is no longer a service that’s useful to have. It’s a necessity, especially for students of all levels. Many schools embrace technology in and out of the classroom and even provide students with the hardware to complete assignments. While this addresses one issue, it entirely ignores another: internet connection. According to a federal study, 70% of American teachers assign homework that has to be completed online and 90% of students report they are given online assignments at least a few times a month. This becomes problematic when you factor in that 15% of the households with high school-aged children lack a high-speed internet connection, as reported by the Pew Research Center U.S. census data.

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Lack of Internet Creates a Barrier to EducationAccessibilityIn the United States, two in three teachers use technology in their classrooms, and it’s not hard to see why. Technology is a convenient way to assign work and can provide access to various resources that enhance students’ academic experience. For students of low-income families, the classroom’s dependence on technology poses an issue not considered by teachers and policymakers. The average cost of internet is around $60 a month, which is not an affordable option for many.Thankfully, families can save sometimes as much as $50a month through government-funded programs and options from internet service providers. These options are generally underused, oftentimes because families are not aware of them.Public internet useSome students turn to public internet use to complete the required online assignments. While using a library’s or a restaurant’s WiFi is an option for some, students who don’t live close to a hub like that would have to regularly pay transportation fees to get there. Depending on how long it takes them to get somewhere with an internet connection, it could take up a large chunk of the time they could spend studying. What happens if they forgot something at home? What if they forget to turn something in and already are back home? Having internet access in their home takes away the stress of last-minute changes to a project or the need to scramble to find WiFi to turn something in.Data privacy on public WiFi12% of students say they use public WiFi to complete homework. It can be risky to use public WiFi, as the security on these networks is generally relaxed if present at all. Data security should always be a concern when connecting to an unprotected public network. Some of the risks associated with blindly using public networks are:Malicious hotspots: To unsuspecting users, malicious hotspots seem like legitimate networks. Though once connected, attackers have access to any information you’ve entered on webpages – like your login information or personal data.Unencrypted networks: Secure networks are encrypted, meaning any information sent between your computer and router are “encoded” so that no one can read it. By default, routers are shipped with the encryption turned off and it must intentionally be turned on. When dealing with public networks, you cannot be sure if it’s enabled or not.Man-in-the-middle attacks (MitM): This common threat makes what you thought was private available to attackers. Your computer communicates with the website you are accessing and in a MitM attack, an attacker intercepts and can even alter your communications.Mobile hotspotsWhile mobile hotspots allow users to share their phone’s internet connection and connect devices to it, your phone’s mobile hotspot is an inadequate long-term substitute for home internet. Though it’s a great tool for every once in a while, generally hotspots are slow and inconsistent. Hotspots use your phone’s data and depending on your phone plan, this can become expensive. Home internet offers an opportunity to avoid overage fees and free up your phone’s data, and you could even decrease your data plan if you are not reliant on your for internet access.Challenges for students1-to-1 laptop initiatives are the start of addressing the technological barrier present in schools. Half of U.S. teachers have one device for each of their students. However, 17% of students say they often or sometimes can’t complete the tasks assigned to them because they don’t have reliable access to the internet, regardless of having a computer or not.

Some research supports that teens who don’t have access to the internet are less likely to graduate from high school, compared to the students who do. A contributing factor could be that the lack of home internet creates obstacles for parent-teacher interaction. Technology provides an easy way to set up conferences and communicate with your student’s teacher through email. Parents without internet may have a harder time monitoring their child’s grades and talking to their children’s teachers.Internet Programs for Low-Income StudentsThe type of assignment at hand will place different levels of stress on your internet. For example, using email or basic computer functions may only use around 3-4 Mbps, though video calls for group projects require at least 10 Mbps. College students who collaboratively work on Google drive require adequate internet speed to edit, upload, and download files that are required for their courses. Long papers or media-intensive projects will take longer than average to upload, so making sure your internet can handle it is imperative to college success.Addressing what your household internet use will be and what your student’s needs are will help you pick the best internet service for you. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggests that households with multiple users and frequent online streaming choose plans that support internet speeds of 12-25 Mbps. Assess the following assistance programs in terms of their speed, price, and how they relate to your needs.Government-funded programs and nonprofitsEveryoneOnEveryoneOn is a nonprofit that connects low-income families with affordable internet options through their provider partnerships. Since 2012 they have helped more than 700,000 people find an internet option that fits their needs. Not only are they a great resource, but they also offer digital skill training classes and help families get computers. EveryoneOn does not directly offer internet services, but you can use their offer locator tool to find internet options in your community.LifelineLifeline offers a discount of $9.25 a month on either your phone or internet costs for families that are at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. The discount is limited to one service only. If you are interested in applying for Lifeline, you must apply through the National Verifier application system. This centralized system is used to verify the eligibility of the applicant and then recertify their qualifications yearly. The national verifier will allow you to choose a phone or internet option and sign up for a company’s services within 90 days of applying. Programs that qualify for Lifeline:MedicaidSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Federal Public Housing Assistance (EPHA)Veterans Pension and Survivors BenefitSupplemental Security Income (SSI)Tribal assistance programs for Lifeline:Food Distribution Program on Indian ReservationsTribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)Bureau of Indian Affairs General AssistanceHead StartHuman I-THuman I-T is a nonprofit that has partnered with Frontier Communications and its Affordable Broadband program. Instead of recycling electronics, Human I-T reuses donated technology to close the digital divide. They offer an affordable internet connection of 18 Mbps at $14.99 per month. To qualify you must participate in at least one of the following:Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramTemporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesNational School Lunch Program (NSLP)Section 8 voucherMedicaidSupplemental Security IncomeProvider programsGovernment-funded programs are not your only option. Many internet providers have low-income options that will help you secure reliable internet in your home. Most do require that you take part in at least one federal assistance program to qualify. Here are the most common options and details of what they offer.How To Save Money If You Don’t QualifyUnless you are already participating in a low-income assistance program, it’s unlikely you’ll be approved for these special internet deals. So what about families who don’t qualify? Thankfully, there are still tricks you can do to save money on your internet bill and ways to reduce costs.Additional things you can do to save money:Buy your own router. Providers charge $5-$10 a month to rent your equipment, which surpasses the price of a router.Read your bill carefully to catch any mistakes or instances where you can cut backShop around for other options and arm yourself with competitor pricesNegotiate your current plan with your providerTake advantage of bundle offers, if you can.Assess your internet speed and make sure it lines up with what you’re paying for.Opt for slower options if you don’t utilize the high-speed perks.The Bottom LineHaving an internet connection is a vital part of your student’s success. Mobile hotspots and trips to the library are unreliable ways for students to complete work and turn in assignments. The programs and services available through local providers and the government ease the burden of needing something you can’t afford. More

Internet is as essential nowadays as water, electricity and gas. But figuring out your options or how much your internet should cost per month is not easy. Let’s break down what’s available, the average cost of internet and how you can save on your monthly high-speed internet costs.What is high-speed internet?The FCC defines high-speed internet, also known as broadband, as internet that’s always on and is faster than the average dial-up connection.Types & Speeds of Internet ConnectionsHigh-speed Internet TypeSpeedAverage Price Per MonthCable10-200 Mbps$58DSL1-80 Mbps$43Fiber Optic30-100 Mbps$56Satellite12-25 Mbps$91High-Speed Internet ProvidersHigh-speed Internet TypeSpeedAverage Price Per MonthCable10-200 Mbps$58DSL1-80 Mbps$43Fiber Optic30-100 Mbps$56Satellite12-25 Mbps$91What factors contribute to internet cost?Equipment rental – Most ISPs rent their equipment to customers for around $10. Rented equipment primarily consists of modems and routers.Installation/activation fees – Installation and activation fees cost about $100 on average. Not all companies charge an installation fee, but they are common.FCC Universal Service Fund fee – This is a fee placed upon telecommunication companies, and it is used to keep their services affordable for Americans. While the FCC doesn’t require ISPs to pass this cost on to their customers, it is permitted and done.. The current FCC UFSF fee is set at 19.6%.Late Payment fee – Late payment fees vary by provider but tend to range from $9 to $25 per late payment. The average late payment fee is around $12.Cancellation fee – If an ISP requires a contract for their internet plans, then there is likely a cancellation fee for those who want to exit the contract early. Some companies charge a flat-rate cancellation fee of around $100-$150, sometimes reducing the cost by a small amount per month of contract completed. Other ISP companies charge a cancellation fee based on the number of months remaining in the contract—often in the range of $10-$20 per month left on the contract.How much should you be paying for internet?For those wondering how much is the cost of internet, Americans are expected to pay an average price of $79 per month in 2020. In 2018, the average American household used 290 gigabytes of data per month. There are four main types of high-speed internet: cable, DSL, Fiber Optic, and satellite. Cable uses coaxial cables, like cable television, and costs an average of $58 per month. DSL uses the same wires as traditional phone lines and costs an average of $43 per month. Fiber Optics are a newer technology that requires fiber optic cables be installed and costs an average of $56 per month. Satellite internet relies on satellites and satellite dishes to transmit internet data and costs an average of $91 per month.The internet can be costly, both to purchase and to run. Even so, as can be seen by the numbers above, high-speed internet has become an integral part of U.S. life, quickly becoming a necessity of the modern world.Ways to lower your internet cost per monthSwitch Providers annually – When you sign up as a new customer with an internet provider, you can often gain discounts and other deals on your internet plan.Negotiate – Despite appearances, few company policies and prices are truly set in stone. Talk to your ISP agent, and you may be able to negotiate a better rate.Use your own equipment – Monthly rental fees can make up a significant portion of your internet bill. Supplying your own modem and router can keep these rental fees off your account.Choose a lower speed – Internet plan prices closely reflect their offered speed. Choosing a plan with a lower speed will often save money.How to choose the best internet serviceWhich internet provider is best for you is going to depend on certain contextual factors. Ask yourself: What do you plan to use the internet for? How many devices do you plan to have simultaneously connected to it? How many people are likely to be using your network regularly? What deals and promotions are offered in your area? Although it can be frustrating, the more choices you have to make, the more opportunity you have to assemble the best deals. If these questions feel overwhelming, don’t worry, below is a step-by-step walkthrough of how to choose the best internet service for you.Determine what you need from your internet. Decide how many devices you plan to have connected to your home network at a time. Look at what you use your devices for and determine what level of internet speed makes sense. This guide provides a reference for which internet speeds are suitable for different types of activity and can be a useful tool in determining what speeds will meet your needs.Assess what is available. Available internet plans and services vary by location. Speed and availability are the main factors affected by locale, but the price can be impacted as well. For this step, you can click here to find out which providers and plans are available at your location.Shop around. Look at the details of plans offered in your area and compare speed, price, data caps, contracts, fees, deals and discounts, and bundling options. The goal here is to determine which provider will offer you the best of what you want for the most reasonable price. Ask yourself, “of the available providers who fit my needs, who has the best of these things.”Make your selection. With the data collected, it is time to decide. Once you have gone through the previous steps, you should arrive at a provider that stands out above the rest for you. Now, all that’s left is to contact them and schedule an appointment.Consider the cost of internetInternet pricing can sometimes surprise you, especially when you consider all of the different costs that might get factored into your bill. Below are some  common features and add-ons that might up your internet bill.Overage charges – Plans that have data caps will see charges added to your account if you go over your allotted data amount.Unlimited data add-on – Many internet plans that have data caps can have an unlimited data add-on purchased alongside them, removing the data cap but increasing the monthly price.Determine the speed you needCable – Cable internet is newer than DSL. It delivers roughly two times the speed, although it is still significantly slower than fiber. Cable is best for people who have moderate to high internet speed requirements. The average monthly cost of cable is $58.DSL – DSL is the earliest of high-speed internet types and still accounts for a significant number of users. While cable and fiber are faster, DSL is still capable of delivering speeds that are fast enough for most residential internet activity. DSL is best for people who have low to moderate internet speed requirements. The average monthly cost of DSL is $43.Fiber – Fiber Optic internet has the least availability, being a new technology that requires specialized lines. Fiber is currently the fastest form of commercial internet. It is best for people who have very high internet speed requirements. The average monthly cost of Fiber Optic is $56.Satellite – Satellite is significantly slower than other forms of high-speed internet, but is available nearly everywhere, as it does not use landlines but instead relies on satellites and dishes. The average monthly cost of satellite is $91. It costs significantly more than other forms of high-speed internet as it depends on much more expensive technology. What are the options in your area?

Every internet provider has a disclaimer posted along with their service plans. This disclaimer lets potential customers know that plans, speeds, and prices may vary by location. While this can be frustrating, it is primarily due to the nature of the American telecommunication infrastructure. In general, the more urban and densely populated an area, the more internet service options there will be. For an in-depth look at what is available in your area, take a look at our review of the best internet providers.

How much does wifi cost?

Average monthly internet bills in the United States are expected to be $79 in 2020 but this can vary greatly depending on location, plan, and provider. The primary difference between regular internet and WiFi is a piece of equipment called a router. Most providers rent routers to their customers for $5-$10 per month. To figure out your wifi cost per month, add the cost of a router to the cost of your internet plan.

How much should high speed internet cost?

Unless a plan offers certain premium features that you are pursuing, such as top speeds and unlimited data, try to keep the cost of high speed internet below $58 on cable, $43 on DSL, $56 on fiber, or $91 on satellite. Following this guideline will keep you from paying above average for your internet type. Americans are expected to pay $79 per month for their average cost of internet in 2020.

Who has the cheapest internet?

Despite relying on some of the newest technology, Verizon Fios is the most affordable provider out of the ones reviewed. The cheapest Fios plan doesn’t deliver speeds beyond what cable internet can achieve, but it is cheaper. More

A Russian Proton-M rocket carrying the British communications satellite Inmarsat-5 F3 blasts off from a launch pad at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome on August 28, 2015. 
Image: Getty Images
Satellite connectivity company Inmarsat has taken the wraps off a network it claims will be able to combine 5G, low orbit, and geostationary satellites. Dubbed Orchestra, the company said it would need to invest in the order of $100 million over five years to get the network off the ground, as well as launch a constellation of 150-175 low-Earth orbit satellites. Work will begin on the terrestrial network. “Inmarsat’s existing GEO satellites — both GX and L-band — will continue to provide global coverage, high performance, security and resilience. Terrestrial 5G adds ultra-high capacity in busy ‘hot spots’, such as ports, airports, and sea canals,” the company said. “A small constellation of LEO satellites will layer additional high capacity over further high-demand areas such as oceanic flight corridors.” See also: Best satellite phone and communication gadgets in 2021 Customers will be able to mesh the connectivity between their terminals, with the example put forward being a ship connected to a 5G tower forwarding capacity to other vessels “beyond terrestrial reach”. “By combining the distinct qualities of GEO, LEO and 5G into a single network, we will deliver a service that is far greater than the sum of its parts,” Inmarsat CEO Rajeev Suri said.

The company said new services used by the network could include close-shore navigation for autonomous vessels, emergency safety services for maritime crews, secure and tactical private networks for governments, and direct-to-cloud connections for airlines. Related Coverage More

Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile wireless business is now profitable, and the company added 280,000 new subscribers in the second quarter as the company’s broadband-wireless bundles are resonating. On a conference call with analysts following Comcast’s second quarter earnings report, CEO Brian Roberts said the company is seeing a payoff from reprioritizing wireless across its sales channel. Roberts said the 280,000 wireless subscriber lines are the highest of any quarter since Xfinity Mobile launched. Roberts added Xfinity Mobile was seeing the “fastest sales momentum we ever had” with gains to come due to unlimited plans for families and small businesses.Indeed, Comcast’s wireless business had second quarter revenue of $556 million, up 70.4% from a year ago.  Comcast’s wireless unit runs on Verizon’s network and appears to be working out for both parties. Comcast is using wireless to create new bundles for the 60 million homes and businesses in its footprint. Verizon on its earnings call didn’t mention Comcast by name, but CEO Hans Vestberg noted he was happy with his MVNO customers. For Comcast, the general idea to focus on customer connectivity and using its virtualized network to add services as well as automate. Roberts added:Currently, there are typically 25 connected devices in the home, with 8 active at any one time, and this increases every year. That drives in-home Wi-Fi usage to 15x that of wireless, delivering huge amount of data at consistent speeds and reducing latency is what’s powering our growth. And we’re doing this in a cost-efficient way. Virtualizing our network, combined with our suite of digital tools, also allows us to continue to improve the customer experience while identifying additional cost savings. And the progress we’ve made is evident in our results. During the second quarter, total agent calls decreased by 10% and total interactions were down by 7%. We also saw a 22% reduction in truck rolls, despite an over 5% increase in our customer base.

Add it up and Comcast is faring well with broadband revenue up 14.3% and business services sales up 10%. Even video was up 2.6%. Comcast reported second quarter earnings per share of 80 cents a share on revenue of $28.55 billion, up 20.4% from a year ago. Non-GAAP earnings were 84 cents a share compared to Wall Street estimates of 67 cents a share. More