On this page14 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Cox vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- What happened to Cox Mobile
- Cox Mobile legitimacy and licensing
- Cox cell service reviews: coverage and quality
- Cox Mobile and Spectrum Mobile pricing
- What existing Cox Mobile customers should do
- Cox complaints and how to avoid problems
- Who should skip Cox Mobile
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Cox Mobile is being phased out. Charter closed its purchase of Cox on August 20, 2026, and cox.com now sells Spectrum Mobile instead, so new customers cannot sign up for the old Cox Mobile plans. Cell service quality stays the same because both brands run on Verizon's network. If you already have Cox Mobile, your plan carries over for now; if you are shopping, compare Spectrum Mobile's plans, which require Spectrum (former Cox) Internet.
- Status
- Being replaced by Spectrum Mobile after Charter closed its Cox acquisition on August 20, 20266
- New sign-ups
- cox.com's mobile page now sells Spectrum Mobile; Spectrum branding, pricing and packages launched in former Cox markets on September 16, 20267
- Network
- Verizon (both Cox Mobile and Spectrum Mobile are Verizon MVNOs)2
- Current plan prices
- Spectrum Mobile Unlimited $30, Unlimited Plus $40, Unlimited Plus Premium $50 per additional line a month (October 2026)1
- Internet required
- Yes; Spectrum Mobile requires an active Spectrum Internet account1
- Free year offer
- First line free for up to 12 months of bill credits with Spectrum Internet, through December 31, 2026; excludes existing Cox Mobile and Spectrum Mobile customers1
- Savings guarantee
- $1,000 savings guarantee versus Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T for customers who buy Internet 100 or higher and two paid Unlimited lines; competitor bills due within 60 days1
- Existing Cox Mobile customers
- Keep current plans for now; bills are expected to move to Spectrum Mobile branding4
Pros
- Runs on Verizon's nationwide network, the same under Cox or Spectrum branding
- Spectrum Mobile lines start at $30 a month with unlimited talk, text and data
- No annual contracts
- New internet customers can get the first mobile line free for up to a year
Cons
- Cox Mobile plans are no longer sold to new customers
- Requires a home internet account from the same company
- Existing Cox Mobile customers are excluded from the free-year offer
- Speeds may slow after 30 GB in a month during busy times on the free-year line
- Future plan changes for current Cox Mobile customers have not been fully announced
Best for: Households with former Cox (now Spectrum) Internet who want low-cost unlimited lines on Verizon's network.
Skip it if: You do not have Cox or Spectrum home internet, since the mobile service is only sold with it.
Cox vs. competitors
| Company | Network | Lowest unlimited price | Needs home internet | Taxes and fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Mobile (now Spectrum Mobile) | Verizon | $30 a month per additional line; first line free for up to 12 months for new customers | Yes, Spectrum Internet | Activation fee and taxes on bundles |
| Visible | Verizon | $25 a month | No | Included |
| US Mobile | AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon depending on network | $25 a month (Unlimited Starter) | No | Included |
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile | $50 a month with AutoPay (Essentials Saver 2.0) | No | Extra: $5.49 per line fee plus taxes |
Cox pricing at a glance
Spectrum Mobile plans sold on cox.com, as listed October 20261
| Plan | Price per additional line | High-speed hotspot data | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | $30 a month | 5 GB | Requires Spectrum Internet |
| Unlimited Plus | $40 a month | 10 GB | Requires Spectrum Internet |
| Unlimited Plus Premium | $50 a month | 50 GB | Requires Spectrum Internet |
| Free first line (new mobile customers) | $0 for up to 12 months of bill credits | 5 GB | Through December 31, 2026; speeds may slow after 30 GB in times of high demand; excludes existing Cox Mobile and Spectrum Mobile customers |
| Internet 100 plus 2 Unlimited lines | $80 a month for 2 years | 5 GB per line | Activation fee additional; taxes may apply |
Devices, smartwatches and tablets do not qualify for the free line.
Cox, step by step
Check that you have Spectrum (former Cox) Internet
Spectrum Mobile, which replaced Cox Mobile for new sign-ups, requires an active Spectrum Internet account to sign up and to keep service.
Check coverage and your phone
Service runs on Verizon's network. Most Apple, Samsung, Google and Motorola phones work, and you can bring your own.
Pick a plan or the free line
New mobile customers can take the free first line for up to 12 months; added lines are $30, $40 or $50 a month.
Port your number
Keep your current account open until the number transfer is complete.
Existing Cox Mobile customers
Your plan continues for now and bills will move to Spectrum Mobile branding. Read any notice from Cox or Spectrum before changing lines or devices.
Cancel or switch
There are no annual contracts, but canceling internet ends your mobile eligibility, and any device balance comes due under your financing terms.
What happened to Cox Mobile
Charter Communications, which runs Spectrum, completed its purchase of Cox Communications on August 20, 2026. Charter said it would bring Spectrum branding, pricing and packages to all former Cox markets starting in mid-September. The mobile page on cox.com now sells Spectrum Mobile, so the old Cox Mobile plans, including Pay As You Gig and Gig Unlimited, are no longer offered to new customers.
If you already have Cox Mobile, reports on the transition say your current plan continues for now and your bill will eventually show Spectrum Mobile. Watch for notices from Cox or Spectrum before you change devices or lines, and ask how any move to a Spectrum plan affects your price.
Cox Mobile legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Cox Mobile was the wireless service of Cox Communications, now owned by Charter Communications, the company behind Spectrum. Charter closed the $34.5 billion purchase on August 20, 2026, and launched Spectrum branding, pricing and packages in former Cox markets on September 16, 2026. Service runs on Verizon’s network.
The concerns are about the company, not the signal. Cox Communications has 1.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 1,758 reviews, mostly about internet service, billing and support, and some recent reviewers say things got worse during the transition. Charter says that within a year former Cox customers will get its customer service commitments: 24/7 U.S.-based support, same-day technician dispatch when requested before 5 p.m. and credits for outages longer than two hours.
Cox cell service reviews: coverage and quality
Cox Mobile and Spectrum Mobile both run on Verizon’s network, so call quality and coverage are the same as Verizon’s in most places. Spectrum says its network covers 99% of the U.S. population and adds access to its WiFi hotspots. Like other cable-company mobile plans, data on these lines can be slowed during heavy network use, and hotspot data has a high-speed cap that depends on the plan.
Because service now depends on keeping Spectrum Internet, the bigger risks are the bundle requirement and price changes after promotions end, not signal. Check the coverage map for your home and work addresses before you switch.
What customers say about Cox
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Low per-line prices compared with the big three carriers
- Coverage on Verizon's network
- Free first line for new mobile customers through 2026
- Well rated account app
Common complaints
- Long holds and repeated transfers with customer service
- Price increases and fees on the internet bill that the mobile line depends on
- Internet outages and slow speeds
- Some reviewers say service and support got worse during the Spectrum transition
Cox Mobile and Spectrum Mobile pricing
As of October 2026, cox.com lists Spectrum Mobile at $30 a month per additional line for Unlimited, $40 for Unlimited Plus and $50 for Unlimited Plus Premium, with 5 GB, 10 GB and 50 GB of high-speed hotspot data. Bundles such as Internet 100 with two Unlimited lines are listed at $80 a month for two years, plus an activation fee and taxes.
New Spectrum Internet customers can get the first mobile line free for up to 12 months of bill credits through December 31, 2026. Devices, smartwatches and tablets do not qualify, and existing Cox Mobile customers are excluded. On that free line, speeds may slow after 30 GB of data in a month during times of high demand.
What existing Cox Mobile customers should do
You do not need to act right away. Charter says current Cox customers can keep their existing service, and your bill is expected to switch to Spectrum Mobile branding. Charter has not published a date for moving Cox Mobile plans to Spectrum plans.
Watch for notices from Cox or Spectrum and read them before you add lines, trade in a phone or change plans, since changes can move you onto current Spectrum pricing. Note that the free-year mobile offer excludes existing Cox Mobile customers, while the $1,000 savings guarantee applies to customers switching at least two lines from Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T. Keep copies of your current plan details and any device financing balance.
Cox complaints and how to avoid problems
Most Cox complaints on Trustpilot and the BBB are about the internet side: outages, slow speeds, long holds, repeated transfers and bills that rise after promotions end. They matter for mobile because Spectrum Mobile requires Spectrum Internet, so if you cancel internet or it is cut off for nonpayment, you lose mobile eligibility too.
To limit surprises, write down the end date of any internet promotion, check your first two bills line by line, and keep the free mobile line’s terms, since speeds may slow after 30 GB in a month when the network is busy. If billing errors are not fixed, you can file a complaint with the FCC.
Who should skip Cox Mobile
Look elsewhere if you do not have, or plan to drop, Cox or Spectrum home internet, since mobile service depends on it. If Verizon coverage is weak where you live, a carrier on a different network will serve you better. And if you want taxes and fees included in the price, prepaid options such as Visible and US Mobile advertise all-in pricing from $25 a month.
Alternatives to Cox
- Spectrum Mobile Effectively the same service now; read it for Spectrum Mobile plan details if you already have Spectrum or former Cox internet. Read review
- Visible Also runs on Verizon, starts at $25 a month with taxes included and does not require home internet. Read review
- US Mobile Lets you pick among three networks with taxes included, useful if Verizon coverage is weak where you live. Read review
- T-Mobile A full carrier with no internet requirement, better if you want perks like streaming services or plan to drop Cox internet. Read review
Cox reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Cox Mobile going away?
Yes, as a brand. After Charter closed its Cox purchase on August 20, 2026, cox.com began selling Spectrum Mobile instead of Cox Mobile. Existing customers keep service for now while the move to Spectrum branding happens.
What network does Cox Mobile use?
Verizon. Cox Mobile and Spectrum Mobile are both resellers on Verizon's network, so coverage does not change with the rebrand.
Do I need Cox Internet to get mobile service?
Yes. Spectrum Mobile, which replaced Cox Mobile for new sign-ups, requires an active Spectrum Internet account to sign up and to stay eligible.
How much does Cox cell phone service cost now?
New lines are Spectrum Mobile plans at $30, $40 or $50 a month per additional line, depending on the plan. New internet customers can get the first line free for up to a year through December 31, 2026.
Can existing Cox Mobile customers get the free year of Spectrum Mobile?
No. The offer's fine print excludes existing Cox Mobile and Spectrum Mobile customers. It is aimed at internet customers adding mobile service for the first time.
Will my Cox Mobile plan or price change?
Reports on the merger say current plans continue for now and billing will eventually switch to Spectrum Mobile. Charter has not published a date for changing existing Cox Mobile plans, so watch for official notices.
Can I bring my own phone?
Yes. Spectrum says most popular Apple, Samsung, Google and Motorola phones work and offers a bring-your-own-device option. Check your phone's compatibility before you order.
Is Cox Mobile good?
Coverage and call quality are the same as Verizon's because Cox Mobile, now Spectrum Mobile, runs on Verizon's network. The weaker points are the home internet requirement and Cox's customer service record, which averages 1.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
Is Cox now Spectrum?
Yes. Charter Communications, which runs Spectrum, completed its purchase of Cox on August 20, 2026, and launched Spectrum branding, pricing and packages in former Cox markets on September 16, 2026.
What is the Spectrum $1,000 savings guarantee?
New customers who buy Internet 100 or higher and at least two paid Unlimited lines, or existing internet customers who switch two lines, can submit Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T bills within 60 days. If savings over a year fall under $1,000, Spectrum pays the difference as bill credits; you must keep service a full year.
Sources (13)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Cox: Mobile page (now Spectrum Mobile), plans and offer details (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Light Reading: Charter-Cox deal is a wrap, with Spectrum brand to take over (accessed October 11, 2026)
- TelecomTV: Charter and Cox Communications complete transaction (accessed October 11, 2026)
- Navi: Cox Mobile becomes Spectrum Mobile (accessed October 11, 2026)
- AZFamily: Cox customers in Arizona to transition to Spectrum after merger (accessed October 11, 2026)
- SEC: Charter Form 8-K exhibit 99.1, Charter and Cox Communications complete transaction (August 20, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Broadband Breakfast: Charter offering its Spectrum plans to Cox customers (September 16, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Cox Communications reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Cox Communications Las Vegas business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Apple App Store: Cox App by Spectrum (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Visible: Plans (accessed October 12, 2026)
- US Mobile: Plans (accessed October 12, 2026)
- T-Mobile: Compare cell phone plans and broadband labels (accessed October 12, 2026)
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