Mr_Gillen's profile

New Contributor II

 • 

6 Messages

Thursday, July 13th, 2017

Closed

Data Usage Discrepancy

   With the current policy of data caps I decided to track my usage at the router level. I just checked my cox account and from start of my billing cycle to yesterday (6-26-17 thru 7-11-17) states I have used 205 GB. When I check my router Netgear r7000 that I started tracking a day before my billing cycle to today (6-25-17 thru 7-12-17) states I used only 187GB. That is a discrepancy of 18GB! I would not care normally but since it is now policy to charge if and when we go over 1TB, this phantom data can be a means to charge overages. I highly disagree with any data caps in principle and function but if you choose to institute a cap then I expect it to be accurate. I want to know what Cox's stance on the accuracy on the data meter and discrepancies when I track my own. I would attach screen captures but your forum is too lackluster to properly insert.

  This is just a personal comment, data caps and penalties was a terrible idea and is the first time I am truly unhappy with my service and will be reviewing other service options.

New Contributor

 • 

16 Messages

8 years ago

Sorry, removed reply and started new post.  Not sure how to delete this post.

New Contributor II

 • 

6 Messages

8 years ago

so I have contacted support and gave all my info. I got a few responses back to verify my info again but no communication back. The finally tally amounts for my billing cycle came out to Cox Meter=482GB and my router meter=438GB. This is easily a difference of 44GB you say I used when my personal hardware states otherwise. Again, my router accounted for one extra day so it is actually even less. Seriously, this is no small amount. Is large enough for you to bill extra for if I had gone over 1TB. I do expect a response this time.

Former Moderator

 • 

7.1K Messages

8 years ago

@MrGillen

One difference between how the router monitors traffic vs how we monitor it would be that we monitor at the WAN interface of the modem. With that being said there is going to be some extra overhead traffic which we took into consideration when determining the data allowances in place. Considering that your numbers are pretty close to our I suspect that is where the difference lies.

New Contributor II

 • 

6 Messages

8 years ago

@ChrisL,

   Thank you for a quick response. Do you have any documentation on the WAN interference that you are taking into account? I would like to educate myself on what your are explaining to be an 11% or 44 GB difference in what I monitor and yours, or explaining the additional metrics used that you are saying I am not accounting for. Thanks.

Former Moderator

 • 

7.1K Messages

8 years ago

@MrGillen

I'd be referring to the cable interface on the modem. This is not accessible from the customer side of the connection.

New Contributor II

 • 

6 Messages

8 years ago

@ChrisL,

   So would that be something out of control of user usage and more as a result of the service connection?

New Contributor

 • 

12 Messages

8 years ago

I'm not sure how many devices you have using the router wifi and lan but I use an app called Data Usage in the windows App store which is free. There are plenty others out there to choose from as well. It has an export feature to save data with charts as well. I have traffic meter turned on in my router (Netgear R8000) since the data cap ** was initiated (dropped from 2tb to 1tb on my Ultimate package which is why I got that package in the first place not just the speed and now getting rid of cloud storage too and pushing us to drop box which I prefer Onedrive instead as a replacement, but I digress...)

Keep in mind that I have calculated less than 100meg difference between the App and my router so this is actual data usage between devices. Remember to keep copies of this data as evidence should you go over your data. There have been many reports of inaccuracy's of data usage by Cox customers by as much as a 500g difference already. I have never had to monitor my data usage before until now so may as well get started to make sure Big Corp monopoly does not try to stick it to us again and again even more.

Option1: Synology has a router that lets you bridge you Cell phone to act as an additional Wan and failover. Some people have dropped Cox all together and used this router with their Cell phones unlimited data plans that have good signal of course.  Just another option.

Option 2: If you can afford a second account with another cox modem then get a bridge multi-wan router that will combine both modems to act as one doubling your up and down speeds and giving you 2Tb of data.

 I have also done this in order to monitor my contour flex streaming service which is suppose to not count towards my data usage and since Cox is pushing DropBox I believe that Data Usage should not count either but that's a different issue. So in theory I should show more usage on my end vs Cox usage report we will see after the first month since I got Flex 2 days ago.

 Also note that If you have a Cox modem that has built in wifi and your not using it be sure to disable it because it will use data even if you not using it depending on model.

I will be moving on to ATT Fiber Next year when its suppose to be available in my area to get away from this disloyal Company called Cox... I have even tried to get gigablast from them but won't be here for another 5 years or more or never so they got the monopoly on us here but not for long.  Been with them since 2005 and apparently loyal customers don't mean ** to them while giving 20% to 40% discounts to new customers they keep screwing with their current customers. (Apparently Loyalty only works one way with Cox) Already 3 friends of mine and 2 relatives have moved to ATT Uverse with the 1G plan unlimited data NO CAP and is now offering no data caps to people who already have other services from ATT like Cell Phones, DirectV, etc. They are sure capitalizing on Cox data cap screw up for sure.  

Contributor II

 • 

421 Messages

8 years ago

This discussion answers one question but evokes another:

It confirms that for some customers there is some level of function with the data meter but raises concerns that, if it is "fixed" for those of us who cannot currently keep an eye on our usage, will it be reliable.

New Contributor

 • 

28 Messages

8 years ago

Oh come on.  a 10% difference between what is reported by my router vs what is reported by Cox and trying to explain it away as normal?  Give me a break, pulling poop out of their bums.  That should not be normal.  

Moderator

 • 

4.3K Messages

8 years ago

Hi Notbychoice,

We have a process in place to investigate Data Usage Meter discrepancy issues. Please email the data usage per your router to  Cox.Help@cox.com so we can take a look at any discrepancies. Thanks!

New Contributor

 • 

1 Message

8 years ago

I have been monitoring my data for over a month now. I have called over and over to see how I can be using over 30 something gigs a day. Since I started I have only one person even allowed on the network and he is still using over 9 gigs a day. According to your data calculator that would be 123 hours of gaming, and 8 hours of streaming movies a month. I have only one person on the internet! There is something very wrong. I have changed my password several times, again I am allowing only one person in my household of 6 to use the internet and I am still getting high usage. I also did a test where I allowed this one person to down load a game, which was only a 9 gig game and I was charged for 32 gigs two days later. So there is also a timing issue. I am going to check the regulations and laws concerning this issue since this is the only company who services my area since I don't have a land line in my house. By the way your phone people have been extremely pleasant and understanding when I have called and truly seemed to want to help. I only hope your higher ups are as willing.

New Contributor II

 • 

38 Messages

8 years ago

So many issues Cox!!!

Lets say even if Cox is under reporting data usage, what happens when Cox all of sudden has the "correct" data usage? If I have been rationing my internet usage based on what Cox tells me and then all of a sudden they find that they were under reporting my usage by 10% I am instantly screwed because my rationing has been based on what Cox told me I was using.

Further more, the stupid Data Usage Meter has been inaccessible regularly. And the notification I was supposed to receive at 85% and 100% of my 1TB Data plan did not happen. I logged into today to find the Meter reading 113% or 1154 GB.

Former Moderator

 • 

1.9K Messages

8 years ago

@Data Usage issues

Can you also email your full address and primary name on the account to Cox.Help@cox.com, so we can take a look.



Moderator

 • 

588 Messages

8 years ago

Hello,

If you do need more data, we are introducing additional data plans soon, including an Unlimited option. New data plans will be available later this year. Options, pricing, and other details will be shared at that time. As a reminder, Cox provides a grace period of two Consecutive billing cycles.  If you are ever charged for going over the data cap, and have router logs to submit to us for the month in question.  You can dispute the overage and we will look into it at that time.  You would just need to contact us thru Twitter at @CoxHelp, visit us on Facebook, or email by at cox.help@cox.com.

New Contributor

 • 

16 Messages

8 years ago

This is in regards to users complaining of a discrepancy between their meter and Cox's.  I noticed that Cox says on the Data Usage Page - 

(Data shown is rounded to the nearest GB)       

If Cox is rounding Up every day, would that account for the differences?   Say you use 31.5 GB on Weds and Cox shows it as 32.0 GB the next day on the Usage page.


Recent Discussions

View More

Loading...