Cox Preferred Vs. Premier

Customers with Cox's high-speed Internet service have access to a range of standard features. The Preferred and Premier plans allow customers to store up to 5 gigabytes online and use up to 20 megabytes of personal webspace. Customers can also use up to 10 email accounts with both plans, and access email using Cox's WebMail service. Both plans also include access to online sports programming with ESPN3, online learning tools with Nickelodeon, and Cox Rhapsody's music collection.

The Preferred plan offers download speeds of up to 12 megabytes per second, ideal for downloading music and uploading photographs. The Premier plan provides higher download speeds of up to 20 megabytes per second, making it better for online gaming and downloading or viewing movies. Cox's PowerBoost feature gives customers temporary higher speeds when transferring large files. Preferred plan download speeds can increase to up to 15 megabytes per second and 25 megabytes per second with the Premier plan.

Upload speeds with the Preferred high-speed Internet plan reach up to 1 megabyte per second. In comparison, customers with Cox's Premier high-speed Internet plan can expect upload speeds of up to 2.5 megabytes per second. With Cox's PowerBoost feature, Preferred plan upload speeds can increase temporarily to up to 1.3 megabytes per second when transferring large files. With the Premier plan, upload speeds reach up to 2.5 megabytes per second with PowerBoost.

Cox's Preferred and Premier plans include a security suite powered by McAfee to protect customers. Preferred users have access to the Cox Security Suite, which protects users from risky sites while browsing with anti-virus and anti-spyware protection. With the Premier Plan, customers receive the upgraded Cox Security Suite Plus, which includes protection for up to five computers, plus anti-spam protection for email and instant messaging. Both suites include identity protection, firewall protection and parental controls.