Thanks for reading this complete guide comparing new space-based ISP Starlink and traditional cable provider Cox across all essential factors – from how each technology works to availability, speed tests and ideal use cases. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide which internet service is better suited for your home.
A Tale of Two Companies
First, let‘s recap the origin stories and leadership of both Starlink and Cox…
The SpaceX Satellite Internet Venture
Starlink was founded in 2015 as satellite internet arm of Elon Musk‘s SpaceX. The vision was to leverage SpaceX rocket technology to deploy a constellation of satellites and provide broadband globally.
In 2018, prototypes were launched aboard Falcon 9 rockets. On October 6, 2022, SpaceX launched a record 53 Starlink satellites aboard a single Falcon 9 rocket from California. This brings the total number of Starlinks launched to date to 3,299 across 61 flights – the largest satellite fleet ever.
SpaceX lead designer Mark Juncosa is VP of Vehicle Engineering, while Jonathan Hofeller steers the Starlink business.
From Cable TV to Fiber Internet
In contrast, Cox Enterprises has over 60 years of telecommunications history…
It began in 1962 under founder James Cox offering cable TV and newspapers. Over the subsequent decades, Cox acquired various cable providers, expanding its subscriber footprint across 18 states.
In 1995, Cox began offering internet access through cable modems. Then in 1997, Cox founded Cox Communications Inc specifically to consolidate all its cable and internet offerings.
Currently Patrick Esser is the CEO and president of Cox Communications, which is the third-largest cable internet provider in the US behind only Comcast and Charter.
Central Mission and Business Model
Now how about the core business mission and model behind each ISP – what problem are they trying to solve and how do they make money?
Access for the Unconnected
Starlink aims to connect the billions globally without internet access, especially those in rural or remote regions. leveraging its satellite network, it can beam high-speed broadband anywhere within its coverage zone regardless of ground infrastructure.
This allows Starlink to target an entirely new untapped market other ISPs haven‘t been able to reach. It makes money selling satellite antenna kits and monthly data plans. Prices are quite competitive relative to old satellite internet players, and cheaper than laying miles of fiber.
||Starlink|Cox|
|-|-|-|
|Year Founded|2015|1962|
|Founder|SpaceX|James Cox|
|Industry|Satellite Internet|Cable TV & Internet|
|Subscribers|~500,000|~5 million|
Cox Targets Established Communities
Cox focuses on bundling TV, phone and internet packages for Americans living in metro regions with existing infrastructure.
Rather than satellite signals, Cox relies on physical fiber and coaxial cables wired directly into homes. This allows faster bidirectional speeds but requires large capital investments to expand the wired network.
Making money comes from charging monthly fees for recurring cable TV, phone and internet packages. So Cox targets higher density cities and towns where it can hook up more homes for each mile of cable.
The Technology Behind Each
Now let‘s dig into the underlying technology powering each ISP solution:
Starlink‘s Satellite Network
The Starlink service relies on a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite network designed from scratch by SpaceX engineers.
Over 3,000 individual Starlink satellites currently orbit at ~350 miles overhead – over 60 times closer than old satellite internet providers. This means data has much less distance to travel compared to traditional satellites parked at 22,000 miles high orbits.
SpaceX continues launching additional satellites almost weekly. The latest generation boasts larger antennas, expanded coverage zones and inter-satellite laser links improving performance.
On the ground, customers install a circular satellite dish connected to a wifi router inside their home. The dish must have a clear unobstructed field of view to the sky to connect with the orbiting satellites passing overhead.
||Starlink|Cox|
|-|-|-|
|Technology|LEO Satellite Network|Fiber & Coaxial Cable Network|
|Ground Stations|Customer Satellite Dishes|Regional Hubs|
|Download|50 – 200Mbps|150Mbps – 1Gbps|
|Upload|10 – 20Mbps|10 – 30Mbps|
|Latency|20 – 40ms during beta|under 25ms|
(Stats via Starlink and Cox websites)
Cox Leverages Existing Infrastructure
In contrast to Starlink‘s space-based network, Cox relies on thousands of miles of physical cables buried underneath the metro regions it services.
The main data pipelines are fiber optic lines connecting regional network hubs. Last-mile connections to customer homes utilize coaxial cable (like the cable TV line).
The benefit is extremely high capacity thanks to state-of-the-art DOCIS 3.1 modems and the efficiency of light through fiber. No weather disruptions either.
The limitation is Cox must actively expand its wired footprint city-by-city through expensive construction projects before new customers can sign up.
Comparing Availability
Related to the infrastructure topic is the current availability footprint for each ISP – can I sign up for service right now?
Starlink Expanding Globally
One major advantage Starlink touts over fixed cable networks is the ability to launch satellites then beam internet anywhere under them. Currently Starlink offers coverage across most of North & South America, Europe, Australia and parts of Asia.
While technically available across huge swaths of these continents, capacity constraints per region can mean waiting lists for open subscriber slots in each coverage cell.
Starlink expects to exit beta with full commercial operations in 2023. The vast majority of populated areas across the globe should offer Starlink by 2025 based on SpaceX‘s aggressive satellite launch schedule.
Cox in Select Metro Regions
Cox availability ultimately comes down to the physical footprint of its buried fiber and cable networks. As of 2022, Cox services metro communities across 18 states – primarily in the southern and western US.
Within each metro region, Cox can support any home already connected to its coaxial cable network. But availability stops dead outside towns and suburbs where Cox hasn‘t buried supporting infrastructure.
So Cox coverage spans large metro zones rather than a blanket nationwide area like Starlink. Expect construction crews expanding Cox‘s neighborhoods year after year.
Speed and Reliability Metrics
Now for the meat – how fast and reliable is each ISP based on real-world testing?
Starlink Speeds in Beta Testing
Early Starlink beta testers have reported steady download speeds between 50Mbps to 200Mbps, with bursts over 300Mbps, based on location and weather.
Uploads clocked in from 5 to 20Mbps. Latency also looks superb under 30ms in most cases thanks to the low earth orbits.
Reliability is still a work in progress – users note occasional dropped connections with beta downtime around several minutes per day as SpaceX plugs coverage gaps by launching more satellites.
So incredible progress but still not as rock solid as fiber. That said, early reviews rave about Starlink performance relative to archaic satellite internet providers.
Blazing Fast Cox Fiber Speeds
Turning to Cox, top speeds are blazing fast thanks to fiber and new DOCSIS 3.1 modems, hitting 1 Gigabit per second downloads. HD video streaming and downloads blaze.
Even Cox‘s basic "Starter" plan serves up 50 Mbps – equal to Starlink‘s top tier. Upload speeds range from 10 Mbps to 35 Mbps based on plan.
And latency is superb at sub-25 ms for pro gaming and video calls. Reliability is rock solid given the wired infrastructure resisting weather disruptions.
In real-world testing, Cox routinely matches or exceeds advertised speeds across all tiers. Fiber optic technology has massive unused headroom as demands grow.
Equipment and Installation
Since we‘re comparing satellites to underground cables, the hardware and setup process differ quite a bit:
Starlink Kit: Self Setup in Minutes
To install Starlink, users purchase router kit for $599 with a satellite antenna dish, wifi router, power supply and 75 feet of cable.
Customers mount the circular dish with clear line of sight to the sky and cables running inside to connect the router. The setup instructions walk you through the process similar to installing a TV antenna.
Total self install time averages just 10 to 30 minutes. The key requirements are locating a spot with no obstructions from trees or buildings to block the dish‘s view.
Professional Cox Installation
Cox internet requires indoor setup of a cable modem provided by Cox plus optionally your own wifi router. Technicians handle the outside work of running a connection from Cox‘s street lines into your home if not already wired.
If your home doesn‘t have existing coaxial wall outlets connected to Cox‘s network, you‘ll need to schedule an installation where they dispatch a professional team to wire your home.
This typically takes half a day with per home costs around $50 in most regions. The benefit is Cox handles all the technical aspects of tapping into their physical cable network.
Monthly Pricing Plans Compared
Last but not least – how much does each ISP cost on a monthly basis?
Starlink Packages
Starlink structured pricing simply with just one tier of internet service bundled with the satellite hardware. This includes:
- Equipment kit: $599 one-time purchase
- Monthly data plan: $110 per month
- Two-way satellite dish operation
- 50 to 200 Mbps downloads
- No data caps
Taxes are included and there‘s no contract so you can cancel anytime. Additional charges may apply like roaming fees outside your assigned coverage zone.
Range of Cox Internet Plans
Cox takes a more typical approach with bundled TV/phone plans and a range of pricing tiers based on maximum download speeds. Current plans span:
- Starter 50 Mbps: $49.99/month
- Essential 100 Mbps: $69.99/month
- Preferred 250 Mbps: $79.99/month
- Ultimate 500 Mbps: $99.99/month
- Gigablast 1 Gbps: $119.99/month
Bundling TV or home phone service can net discounts of $20 or more per month. Equipment fees average $10/month and taxes are extra per local rates. Most plans impose 1.25 TB monthly data caps.
Verdict: Ideal Users
Pulling all the comparisons together:
Starlink shines for rural residents beyond the reach of cable internet options that still want fast broadband in the 50 to 200 Mbps range. The satellite network delivers solid speeds anywhere with installations taking just minutes.
Cox wins on raw speed and rock solid uptime for households in metro regions thanks to fiber and coaxial lines. Gigabit plans push upwards of 500 to 1000 Mbps for blazing fast downloads.
So if you need internet access off the grid – choose Starlink. But for city dwellers who just want the fastest speeds available without reliability concerns, stick with Cox.
I hope mapping out the pros and cons for both Starlink and Cox has helped narrow down the ideal option tailored just for your connectivity needs! Please reach out with any other questions.
