Cox Digital Telephone FAQs

Why is Cox offering Local and Long Distance telephone service?
Why is Cox - a cable company - allowed to offer local telephone service?
How will customers benefit from Cox's local phone service?
Will I be able to call people who use other local telephone companies?
Why would I switch?
Will my current telephones work?
Can I make a phone call and watch TV at the same time?
If my cable goes out, will my phone go out too?
Will my phone and cable service be on one bill?
Can I choose any long distance company?
What areas are serviceable today? How long will it take to service the rest of the areas?
How good will the voice quality be?
What phone books will our information go in?
What makes Cox Digital Telephone better than its competitors?
Will Cox Digital Telephone lines work with regular computer modems?
Is Cox renting its phone line from another service provider?
Can I keep my current phone number?
Does someone have to be home at the time of install?
What is an eMTA?
Will the house have to be re-wired?
Is there a fee to switch to Cox Long Distance?
What's the difference between intra-state and inter-state?
What are some of the FCC charges that I see on my bill for?
With Cox Digital Telephone, will directory assistance be available? How much will it cost?

Why is Cox offering Local and Long Distance telephone service?

Cox customers have said that they would like a choice in local telephone providers. As has been demonstrated in many other industries, competition results in several benefits to consumers. Local telephone service is just one part of our long-term strategy to offer our customers a full-service package of communications services. Cox customers will be able to rely on Cox to meet all of their communications needs with reliable, top-quality products and services, including cable television, telephone services and high-speed Internet access. Only a communications company like Cox that has invested time and money into upgrading its cable network has the ability to deliver video, voice and data services over a single platform.

Why is Cox - a cable company - allowed to offer local telephone service?

Cox is no longer just a cable company. With the launch of Cox Digital Telephone, Cox now offers a full slate of communications services, including high-speed access to the Internet and local and long distance telephone services. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 deregulated the telecommunications industry, legally permitting cable companies to enter into the local telephone service market for the first time. We are able to launch our service so quickly because we have been anticipating this opportunity and have been upgrading our delivery network for nearly 10 years.

How will customers benefit from Cox's local phone service?

Cox customers will be able to enjoy the convenience and security of having all of their communications needs met by one company with a track record of providing a reliable, high-quality product and superior customer service.

Cox Digital Telephone also will be a better value -- an additional phone line, which more consumers are now requesting to meet their expanding communications needs, will be much less expensive than our competitors', up to 50% less, because our broadband network has much more capacity, making it easier and less costly for us to provide additional lines.

Will I be able to call people who use other local telephone companies?

Yes, the Cox network will be connected to other local telephone companies, so you will be able to call anyone, anywhere, regardless of what phone company they use.

Why would I switch?

Better technology, better customer service and better value. Cox's digital broadband network provides the reliability you'd expect from a premier telecommunications company, and we provide the best customer service in the cable industry. As for prices, Cox Digital Telephone offers significant savings over your current provider, plus savings on second lines and features such as Call Waiting, Caller ID or Voicemail. Finally, our calling plans that are straightforward and easy to understand; no confusing time of day restrictions or minimum spending requirements. Your rate will always be the same, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Will my current telephones work?

Yes.

Can I make a phone call and watch TV at the same time?

Yes. In fact, you can also be surfing the Internet with Cox High Speed Internet. Cox's broadband network allows you to use multiple appliances simultaneously.

If my cable goes out, will my phone go out too?

Not necessarily, because cable outages can occur for a variety of reasons that may not affect the telephone lines. Cox's Network Operations Center constantly monitors the network for potential problems, quickly identifies interruptions in service, and remedies the problem. In addition, if the problem is an electrical power outage, Cox provides back-up power so your phone keeps working.

Will my phone and cable service be on one bill?

Today a combined Cable, High Speed Data and Telephone bill is available for your convenience. Ask your Customer Service Representative for details, as not all customers will qualify to receive an all-in-one bill.

Can I choose any long distance company?

Long distance service is included with both the Connection Unlimited and Connection 60 Package distance plans that are competitive and simple to understand.However, if you end up choosing our Basic Line offering you can choose your Long Distance provider or choose Cox communications:

Cox basic Long distance provides great value - 10 cents per minute for in-state and state-to-state anywhere in the United States - all day, every day!
The Cox U.S. Savings plan offers a rate of 7 cents per minute for in-state and state-to-state anywhere in the United States - all day, every day, for a low monthly fee of $3.95!

What areas are serviceable today? How long will it take to service the rest of the areas?

Cox Digital Telephone is available throughout our entire cable and Internet area - Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Vinton.

How good will the voice quality be?

Cox's digital broadband network provides excellent voice quality that meets today's telecommunication standards.

What phone books will our information go in?

The same directory that they currently reside in.

What makes Cox Digital Telephone better than its competitors?

Cox Digital Telephone is provided over digital fiber-optic network that has made Cox first in reliability. Our state-of-the art technology assures you of crystal-clear connections and, to keep your phone service trouble-free, we monitor the network 24 hours a day.

Will Cox Digital Telephone lines work with regular computer modems?

Yes, Cox telephone service also works with dial-up modems.

Is Cox renting its phone line from another service provider?

No, Cox Communications is a facilities-based provider. That means all of our services are provided over a network that we've built and monitor.

Can I keep my current phone number?

Yes, in most instances, you can! Local Number Portability (LNP) allows a customer to change local exchange carriers and maintain their current telephone number, even though they are now serviced by a different provider.

Does someone have to be home at the time of install?

Yes, it is important that we make sure that the phone jacks in your home have dial tone and that all of the services that you requested are in working order before we leave. In addition, someone at least 18 years old will need to be present.

We will professionally install an eMTA (Embedded Multimedia Terminal Adaptor). The device will be professionally wired to deliver dialtone to each of you phone jacks. The technician will then test phone lines and jacks, verify services and test outgoing and incoming call ability.

What is an eMTA?

An eMTA (Embedded Multimedia Terminal Adaptor) is a special device that can deliver Voice and/or high-peed internet services. It is kind of like a Network Interface Unit (NIU) and a cable modem combined.

Will the house have to be re-wired?

Usually not. There might be a time when our customer wants an outlet in a place that is not pre-wired or there is a problem with the existing pre-wire but this is the exception, not the rule.

Is there a fee to switch to Cox Long Distance?

There is no charge to switch over to Cox Long Distance. And, Cox Long Distance is simple and affordable.

What's the difference between intra-state and inter-state?

Intra-state refers to calls that originate and terminate within the same state. Inter-state calls originate in one state and terminate in another. For example, a call from Roanoke to Williamsburg, VA is considered intra-state, while a call from Roanoke to Houston, TX is inter-state. Cox Communications is licensed to provide both intra and inter-state services to our customers.

What are some of the FCC charges that I see on my bill for?

The Universal Fund Fee was created by the FCC to help provide affordable telecommunications services for low-income families, to remote areas and advanced services, such as Internet access, to eligible organizations. All long distance carriers pay into this fund. The Carrier Line Fee helps recover a portion of fees paid to local telephone companies for access.

With Cox Digital Telephone, will directory assistance be available? How much will it cost?

Directory Assistance is available with Cox Digital Telephone service. Directory Assistance is $.29 for each use and the first three requests for assistance per month are free.