No data caps. Symmetric speeds up to 5 GIG. No annual contract. See how AT&T Fiber stacks up against Cox on speed, price, data, and availability — side by side.
Every spec that matters — speed, data, price, contract, and technology — laid out in one table. Scroll horizontally on mobile.
| Feature | AT&T FiberFiber-optic | CoxCable / Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | 100% fiber-optic | Hybrid fiber-coaxial (cable) |
| Max download speed | 5,000 Mbps (5 GIG) | 2,000 Mbps (2 GIG) |
| Max upload speed | 5,000 Mbps (symmetric) | 100 Mbps (asymmetric) |
| Data cap | None — unlimited data | 1.25 TB/mo, $10/50GB overage |
| Starting price | $55/mo (300 Mbps) | $50/mo (100 Mbps) |
| 1 GIG price | $80/mo | $100/mo |
| Top-tier price | $180/mo (5 GIG) | $120/mo (2 GIG) |
| Contract | No annual contract | 1–2 yr on some plans |
| Latency | Low (typ. 10–20 ms) | Moderate (typ. 20–40 ms) |
| Availability | 25M+ locations & growing | Wider cable footprint |
| Price guarantee | Price locked, no hikes | Promo rates expire after 1–2 yr |
| Self-install | Free when available | Available |
Fiber-optic technology gives AT&T structural advantages that cable can't match — no matter how Cox markets its plans.
AT&T Fiber has zero data caps on every plan. Stream, game, and download as much as you want. Cox caps you at 1.25 TB/mo and charges up to $100 in overage fees. AT&T never will.
AT&T Fiber gives you equal upload and download speed. A 5 GIG plan means 5,000 Mbps both ways. Cox's 2 GIG plan only offers 100 Mbps upload — 50× slower. Critical for video calls, cloud backups, and content creation.
AT&T Fiber's top plan delivers 5,000 Mbps. Cox maxes out at 2,000 Mbps. For large households, smart homes, and heavy bandwidth users, AT&T offers headroom cable simply can't provide.
AT&T Fiber plans are month-to-month with no early termination fee. Cox often requires 1- or 2-year commitments on lower-priced plans, with promotional rates that jump after the term ends.
Fiber-optic connections typically run at 10–20 ms latency vs cable's 20–40 ms. That difference matters for competitive gaming, real-time trading, and any application where responsiveness is critical.
AT&T 1 GIG costs $80/mo vs Cox's $100/mo — saving $240/year. Plus you get symmetric 1,000 Mbps upload (50× faster than Cox's 35 Mbps) and no data cap. AT&T's 2 GIG at $110/mo also undercuts Cox's 2 GIG at $120/mo with vastly superior upload.
We're honest about where cable still has an edge. Here's what Cox does better — and why it might matter for your situation.
Cox's entry plan starts at $50/mo for 100 Mbps, $5 less than AT&T Fiber's $55/mo for 300 Mbps. If budget is your top priority and you only need basic speeds, Cox's floor is lower — though you get 3× the speed with AT&T for just $5 more.
Cox's cable network passes millions of homes across 18 states. AT&T Fiber is still expanding and currently passes 25+ million locations nationwide. If AT&T Fiber isn't at your address yet, Cox may be your only option in Cox service areas.
Cox has decades of cable infrastructure already in place, meaning faster installation times in many neighborhoods and existing wiring in most homes. No fiber construction needed.
Bottom line: Cox is a solid choice if AT&T Fiber isn't available at your address. But where fiber is an option, it wins on nearly every metric.
See exactly what you pay at each speed tier. AT&T wins at 1 GIG and above; Cox's only edge is the entry-level plan.
All plans: no data cap, no annual contract, symmetric speeds. Prices with AutoPay & paperless billing.
1.25 TB data cap on most plans ($10/50GB overage, max $100/mo). Promo rates; prices may increase after promo period. Upload speeds asymmetric. Unlimited available for +$50/mo.
AT&T 1 GIG saves you $240/year vs Cox Gigablast — and gives you 28× faster uploads with no data cap.
AT&T Fiber beats Cox on data caps, upload speed, max speed, contract terms, and price at 1 GIG and above. Cox's only real advantages — lower entry price and wider availability — matter most when fiber isn't an option. If your address qualifies for AT&T Fiber, it's the clear winner for performance, value, and peace of mind.
No. AT&T Fiber has no data caps on any plan — you get unlimited data with no overage fees. Cox enforces a 1.25 TB (1,280 GB) monthly data cap on most plans and charges $10 per additional 50 GB block (up to $100/mo). This is one of the biggest reasons to choose fiber over cable.
AT&T Fiber is faster overall. Its top plan reaches 5 GIG (5,000 Mbps) with symmetric upload and download. Cox's top plan maxes out at 2 GIG (2,000 Mbps) download with only 100 Mbps upload. AT&T's symmetric speeds make it dramatically better for video calls, cloud backups, gaming, and remote work.
It depends on the tier. Cox has a lower starting price ($50/mo for 100 Mbps vs AT&T's $55/mo for 300 Mbps). But at higher tiers, AT&T is significantly cheaper: AT&T 1 GIG is $80/mo vs Cox's $100/mo, and AT&T 2 GIG is $110/mo vs Cox's 2 GIG at $120/mo. AT&T also has no data cap overage charges and offers 5 GIG at $180/mo — a speed Cox can't match at any price.
Cox has wider availability in its service areas because it's a cable network reaching approximately 6.5 million homes across 18 states. AT&T Fiber is available in fewer areas but is expanding rapidly, currently passing 25+ million locations nationwide. If AT&T Fiber is available at your address, it's almost always the better choice. Check availability to see what you can get.
Yes. Cox enforces a 1.25 TB (1,280 GB) monthly data cap on most plans in most markets. If you exceed it, you're charged $10 for each additional 50 GB block, up to a maximum of $100 per month. Some markets offer unlimited data for an extra $50/mo. AT&T Fiber has no data cap on any plan.
In many cases, yes. AT&T Fiber and Cox use different infrastructure (fiber vs cable), so having one doesn't prevent you from getting the other. Check availability at your address to see if AT&T Fiber has been installed in your neighborhood.
No. AT&T Fiber plans are month-to-month with no annual contract and no early termination fee. Cox may require a 1- or 2-year contract on some plans, though no-contract options are available at higher price points.
One quick check tells you if AT&T Fiber is available where you live. If it is, you could switch today — no contract, no data cap, symmetric speeds up to 5 GIG.