As a longstanding COX customer, I don't want VOIP phone service as it has limitations when real emergencies happen (e.g., power outage, earthquake, etc.) Traditional copper phone lines work without electricity, with VOIP no power, no phone. This is really disappointing to me. I have copper for a reason and I don't need special modems to use the telephone, which has been around for over 100 years. Hope COX doesn't force this on me. My phone isn't broke, so there is no need to change it.

Hello, We understand your concerns and rest assured this platform has been tested and will function properly. An internal battery can be purchased that will hold power for dial tone up to 8 hours in the event of a commercial power outage. Meaning if you have an old POTS phone it will be available for use during that time. If you have concerns with the E911 system a simple test call once installed can verify for your peace of mind that it functions properly and has your correct address. We are proactively moving customers to this new platform as the equipment made for your current platform are no longer are being produced.

Danny, I appreciate your reply, however, my current phone doesn't need a backup battery, it's running on copper. The electricity runs through the copper provided by the phone company. So when the power goes out, the phone still works. The current technology works and doesn't require a modem, so why change it? All this added equipment to operate a phone that is over 100 years old is beyond me. It's not broke! If COX really wanted to add features, stop all the ROBO calls, this I would pay for... not VOIP.

Hello, we understand your concerns with the installation of this modem. The modem once installed will be connected in a manner that all the current jacks in the home will remain unchanged. You will connect to them as you do today and it will provide line power with the installed battery backup in the event of a commercial power loss. The modem will provide the same current as the POTS line does today and you should not detect any thing different with the service. This is being done as a necessity as technology changes making the current equipment obsolete.

DannyS: You mention in your posts that the modem comes with an installed battery. It was my understanding that you had to pay extra if you wanted a battery. Is Cox now providing an installed battery for these forced installs in their process of getting rid of the old phone systems? Is it possible to continue to use the old system until something goes wrong with it and needs repair, and then switch to the modem system?

Hello, We apologize as you are correct. That is the case now for customers that still have POTS telephones that desire to have a battery would need to purchase the battery now. The purpose for proactively trying to upgrade these is as if the current device fails there could be a delay in restoring service which could severely impact your service, so we really want to upgrade them all soon as possible if available.

Cox to eliminate traditional copper phone and replace with VOIP.. BAD NEWS

EvaFam
New Contributor
7 years ago
I just spoke with the Cox telephone team again (on the phone number they tell you to call for the conversion).

I learned a little bit more:

They do know your cutoff date for conversion. People in the forum have been unable to get date information from Cox, myself included. I ended up speaking with a supervisor, and she was able to tell me my conversion window, and it's comforting. My conversion wave started in January 2018 and it ends in December 2019 (yes, 2019, not 2018), so at least I know my phone isn't going to get cut off next month and I have some time to figure out wiring issues, etc. The supervisor told me that some Cox people don't know where to look for the information, but it is on your account. So, if you can't get it, ask for a supervisor. That's the most helpful information Cox has been able to give me. Hooray! I thanked the supervisor.

I also found out that the conversion deadlines have been extended a few times. My guess is they aren't getting people converted as quickly as they had planned.

Apparently they do offer a battery for the Arris TM3402. It's also $29.95. The supervisor told me they are required by law to provide a battery backup option for all landline modems.

She said many landline customers preferred having a separate telephone and internet modem and it's no problem to set it up that way if I want to do that.

The supervisor also said the modems would handle alarm and fax signals (something most Cox people have avoided answering). I'm starting to believe it might work (as long as it's wired properly). I've been doing some searches on the topic. I don't remember all the technical things I've read about how the calls are handled, but the cable company VOIP systems can have higher quality than what you'd get with a service like Vonage or Ooma. The age of your alarm system might also have an impact.

The supervisor said she's only seen one case where a tech wasn't able to convert a residence to the new system. (I'll likely be the second unless I rewire things before the tech arrives). I couldn't get any comment about whether their techs would run wires inside of walls, etc. I'm pretty sure they won't. Maybe I could have the tech come out and see if he's baffled or not.

Anyway...I hope that's helpful information to some people. I'm glad to know I have a little bit of breathing room on the conversion. That will give me some time to figure out what to do with my wiring.
Old_Jedi
New Contributor III
7 years ago
There was another surprising claim in this thread. When Cox did my conversion to the modem, they disconnected all of my old phone jacks. The only way I can use a phone is to plug it into the modem. I lost my fax machine which was not where the modem was, and I had to move my base station for the cordless phones to where the modem was installed.
Allan
Moderator
7 years ago
@Old jedi,

We can certainly look into this issue for you. Please send us an email with your account information and a link to this thread to cox.help@cox.com so we can help.

Thanks,

Allan - Cox Support Forums Moderator.
bryaninphx
Valued Contributor
7 years ago
Old Jedi said:

There was another surprising claim in this thread. When Cox did my conversion to the modem, they disconnected all of my old phone jacks. The only way I can use a phone is to plug it into the modem. I lost my fax machine which was not where the modem was, and I had to move my base station for the cordless phones to where the modem was installed.

Your Install was NOT done correctly, call Cox and have them come out and redo the install. All my jacks are active, I have a FAX, Answering Machine and a Monitored Alarm panel with line-seizure, and everything works exactly the same as when I had the outdoor NIU.
Mikee
New Contributor
7 years ago
I am not too keen on the idea of having the Cisco DPC3010 dumped on us - this modem has been obsoleted by Cisco. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/obsolete/video/cable-modem-model-dpc3010-epc3010.html

I understand this modem was specified because it has the voice gateway and battery system and is free BUT it is still obsolete!!!

If I were to use the Arris SVG2482AC, isn't this the same as the Arris TG2472. I believe the TG2472 is used by the Cox Contour Panoramic system but I think Arris SVG2482AC is commercial version? The SVG2482AC has a battery backup voice gateway as well
DustinP
Moderator
7 years ago
Mikee,

Cox Certified Cable Modems can be found on our cox.com website here: https://www.cox.com/residential/support/cox-certified-cable-modems.html

If someone's looking to have functioning telephone service with Cox, then an eMTA provided by Cox would be required.

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Cox to eliminate traditional copper phone and replace with VOIP.. BAD NEWS

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