Cox announces additional support for residential customers during coronavirus pandemic

Cox Communications is making additional plans to support residential customers during the coronavirus pandemic. Cox is upgrading internet speeds for select residential packages and implementing a variety of other changes to provide support and relief for our customers and communities in greatest need.

Atlanta-based Cox is the largest private telecom in the U.S, serving 6 million homes and businesses across 18 states, including Arkansas. As a private company, Cox does not share subscriber numbers by market.

“As learning and work for many shift to the home, we want customers to have access to the internet speeds and resources that help them to remain productive,” Pat Esser, president and CEO of Cox Communications, said in a statement. “During these uncertain times, we don’t want our residential customers to worry about their internet connection. Our network is built to handle peak use day and night to meet the full needs of families’ demands for entertainment, school assignments and late-night deadlines.”

Cox is extending the following services for the next 60 days:

• Residential customers in the company’s Starter, StraightUp Internet and Connect2Compete packages will be automatically upgraded to speeds of 50 Mbps.
• For those tiers, Cox is extending its Cox Complete Care remote desktop support at no charge to residential customers with remote helpdesk and assistance for loading new applications they may need to use during this time like online classroom support applications and web conferencing services.
• In addition to the above, an upgrade to our Essential customers from 30 Mbps to 50 Mbps, originally planned for later in the year, will be deployed now.

The company is also activating additional support for its Connect2Compete product. Connect2Compete is Cox’s low-cost internet product for families with school-aged children who are enrolled in low-income assistance programs. To ensure digital equity for students without internet at home, the changes intend to help families with online learning at home. For a limited time, first month of free service has also been introduced for new Connect2Compete customers.

“Offering increased speeds, a free month for new customers and advanced services to our Connect2Compete customers will especially help families keep up with assignments and communication with their schools,” Esser said. “We are also in active discussions about how we can help school systems with a large population of students who need to learn from home. We stand ready to support and serve our communities in times of need.”

Cox is offering to fast-track the qualification process for Connect2Compete.  Schools are being asked to contact [email protected] with a list of eligible low-income students that currently do not have an internet connection.  Cox will assist in getting students qualified quickly so they can continue learning from home.  Cox has also partnered with PCs for People where families can purchase discounted refurbished computers.  More information can be found at this website.

These changes are in addition to the following previously announced commitments:

• Not terminate service to any residential or small business customer because of an inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Waive any late fees that residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Open Cox Wifi hotspots to help keep the public connected.