When it comes to choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for your business, two names often come up: AT&T Business and Cox Communications. Both providers offer a range of services designed to meet the needs of modern enterprises.
AT&T Business is known for its extensive network and robust service offerings, making it a popular choice for companies of all sizes. On the other hand, Cox Communications provides flexible and scalable solutions that cater to both small businesses and large corporations.
In this article, we'll compare AT&T Business and Cox Communications to help you determine which ISP is better suited for your specific needs. From pricing to performance, we'll cover all the essential aspects to guide your decision-making process.
Overview of AT&T Business
AT&T Business has been a cornerstone in the telecommunications industry for over 140 years, having been founded in 1885. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company employs around 150,000 people. It holds a prominent position on the Fortune 500 list, ranking at number 32.
Serving 46 countries, AT&T Business is known for its innovative solutions like the AT&T Guarantee℠ and AT&T Dynamic Defense™. These offerings highlight the company's commitment to reliability and cybersecurity, ensuring businesses stay connected and protected.
Overview of Cox Communications
Cox Communications has been in business for 62 years, having been founded in 1962. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company employs around 20,000 people. It holds a prominent position on the Fortune 500 list, ranking at number 14.
Serving the USA, Cox Communications is known for its innovative approaches to connectivity and customer service. The company has consistently focused on enhancing user experience through technological advancements and reliable service.
ISP Products
DIA
AT&T Dedicated Internet (ADI) offers a wide range of speeds, from 10 Mbps to a staggering 1 Tbps with bonded 100 Gbps options. In contrast, Cox Business Dedicated Internet provides speeds up to 100 Gbps. Both services utilize fiber transport and have no utilization caps, ensuring consistent performance.
When it comes to uptime, AT&T boasts a 99.95% SLA, slightly edging out Cox's 99.9% SLA. Additionally, AT&T's extensive fiber network spans 1,100,000 miles, dwarfing Cox's 44,000 miles. Both providers offer a variety of add-on services, including static IP addresses, BGP routing, managed routers, and secure web gateways, but AT&T also includes options like DDoS mitigation and cloud connect.
Wireless
AT&T Business offers a comprehensive wireless product lineup, including Internet Air - Standard and Internet Air - Premium. These services provide 5G and LTE connectivity, catering to both fixed and mobile sites. With coverage extending across the US, parts of Canada, and parts of Mexico, AT&T ensures robust wireless broadband options with multiple plans available based on location.
In contrast, Cox Communications does not currently offer any wireless products. This absence means that businesses looking for wireless broadband solutions will find AT&T Business to be the more viable option. AT&T's commitment to moving towards 5G and retiring older fixed wireless technologies further underscores its focus on delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions.
Security
AT&T Business offers a robust suite of security products designed to protect enterprises from a wide range of cyber threats. AT&T Dynamic Defense proactively blocks 97% of cyber threats, providing better protection for your network. Additionally, AT&T Active Armor offers 24/7 proactive internet security, included with AT&T Business Fiber®, to help block malicious threats before they reach your devices. For businesses needing secure remote access, Secure Service Active Edge ensures network security right to the edge.
On the other hand, Cox Communications focuses its security offerings on small businesses with its Cox Business Essential Security product. This multi-layered cybersecurity solution aims to protect networks, devices, and data from cyberattacks. It includes features like automatic cloud backup for business devices and quick file recovery to minimize downtime. However, Cox's security solutions are not geared towards enterprise-level protection, making AT&T Business a more comprehensive choice for larger organizations.
Broadband
AT&T Business Fiber offers symmetrical speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to 5 GIG, making it a robust choice for enterprises needing high-speed, reliable internet. The service utilizes fiber transport and has no utilization caps, ensuring consistent performance without data limitations. However, specific uptime SLA details for AT&T Business Fiber are not readily available.
Cox Communications provides a range of broadband internet options under its Cox Business Internet and Cox Small Business Internet brands. Speeds vary from 300 Mbps to 2 Gbps for downloads, but upload speeds are capped at 100 Mbps. The service uses Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) technology and also features no data caps. Cox offers a 99.50% uptime SLA, providing a reliable but slightly less robust option compared to AT&T's fiber-based offerings.
Ethernet
AT&T Business Fiber offers a range of symmetrical speeds from 300 Mbps to 5 GIG, making it a versatile choice for enterprises needing consistent, high-speed internet. Utilizing fiber transport, AT&T ensures unlimited utilization caps, providing reliable performance without data limitations. However, specific uptime SLA details for AT&T Business Fiber are not readily available.
Cox Communications' Metro Ethernet Services provide flexible connectivity options, including point-to-point, hub-and-spoke, and multipoint configurations. With port speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps and bandwidth options from 1 Mbps to over 10 Gbps, Cox is well-suited for organizations needing to link multiple locations securely. This makes it an ideal solution for school districts or businesses with satellite offices, offering high-speed, secure connections for remote employees.
POTS Replacement
AT&T Business offers a comprehensive POTS replacement solution with its AT&T Phone for Business – Advanced. This product converts analog phone and specialty data lines, such as voice, fax, and point-of-sale terminals, to the cloud. It uses existing public internet connectivity, either wireless or wireline, and does not require AT&T internet. Additionally, it features a 24-hour battery backup and optional wireless (LTE) failover, ensuring continuous operation even during power outages.
In contrast, Cox Communications does not publicly advertise a dedicated service specifically designed to replace traditional POTS lines with modern digital solutions. This absence means that businesses looking for a reliable POTS replacement will find AT&T Business to be the more viable option. AT&T's offering also includes unlimited domestic local and long-distance calling, and it meets the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 standards, making it a robust and compliant choice for enterprises across all 50 US states.
Other Key Features
Geographic Coverage
AT&T Business serves 46 countries, offering extensive coverage that ensures businesses stay connected globally. Their wide reach makes them a reliable choice for international operations.
Cox Communications serves only the USA, focusing on providing reliable internet and communication services across the country. Their coverage is limited to this single nation, ensuring dedicated local support.
SLA
Reliability is crucial for businesses, and both AT&T Business and Cox Communications offer strong uptime guarantees. AT&T boasts a 99.95% SLA, while Cox offers a 99.9% SLA. These numbers might seem close, but they make a difference.
For customers, a 99.95% SLA means AT&T allows for about 4.38 hours of downtime per year. Cox's 99.9% SLA translates to roughly 8.76 hours annually. Less downtime means more productivity.
In practical terms, these uptime guarantees ensure that your business stays online and operational. Fewer interruptions mean smoother operations, happier customers, and better overall performance.
Transport Types Available
AT&T Business offers speeds from 10 Mbps to 1 Tbps, using fiber transport over 1,100,000 miles of fiber routes. This makes it great for businesses needing high-speed, reliable internet for streaming, gaming, or heavy data use.
Cox Communications provides speeds up to 100 Gbps, also using fiber transport but with 44,000 miles of fiber routes. It's a solid choice for small to medium businesses.
Both providers cater to different needs, with AT&T's extensive network being ideal for larger enterprises, while Cox suits smaller setups.
Customer Support
AT&T Business offers 24/7 customer support, ensuring that help is always available when you need it. Their support team is known for being responsive and knowledgeable, making it easy to resolve issues quickly.
Cox Communications also provides 24/7 customer support, but their focus is more on small businesses. They offer various support channels, including phone, chat, and email, to assist customers.
Both companies aim to provide reliable customer service, but AT&T's broader focus on enterprises might give them an edge for larger businesses. Cox's support is tailored more towards smaller setups, making it a good fit for those needs.
Final Verdict
AT&T Business excels in offering extensive global coverage, high-speed internet options, and robust security solutions, making it ideal for large enterprises and international operations. Their comprehensive service lineup, including wireless products and POTS replacement, further enhances their appeal to diverse business needs.
On the other hand, Cox Communications focuses on providing reliable, flexible solutions tailored to small and medium-sized businesses within the USA. Their Metro Ethernet Services and dedicated local support make them a strong choice for organizations needing secure, high-speed connections for multiple locations.
Ultimately, the choice between AT&T Business and Cox Communications depends on your specific requirements. Large enterprises with global operations may find AT&T's extensive offerings more suitable, while smaller businesses might prefer Cox's localized, flexible solutions.
Get Started with the Right ISP Today
Ultimately, the choice between AT&T Business and Cox Communications depends on your specific requirements. Large enterprises with global operations may find AT&T's extensive offerings more suitable, while smaller businesses might prefer Cox's localized, flexible solutions.
Evaluate your business needs carefully to determine which ISP aligns best with your goals. For a streamlined telecom procurement process, sign up with Lightyear and simplify your decision-making.
