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JazzMan1's avatar
JazzMan1
New Contributor
10 years ago

New Cox Telephone Customer (Fairfax, VA) Install questions

I'm getting Cox Telephone installed tomorrow.  It is replacing an existing (copper) Verizon service.  Verizon disconnected my line when migrating my neighbor to FIOS and won't reconnect my copper line.

The current outside box (NID) supports multiple jacks and there are at least 5 jacks currently in use in the house.  I'm assuming Cox will install an NIU right next to the NID and connect the lines that are connected in the NID to the NIU.  Is this a correct assumption? 

Do the NIU's contain the telephone modem and if so how do they get power?

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  • bryaninphx's avatar
    bryaninphx
    Valued Contributor
    10 years ago

    Cox no longer uses an outdoor/outside NIU.  The company ARRIS no longer makes them.
    I still have one though, and they are powered by 90 volts off the center copper conductor of the Coax.
    This is the Discontinued ARRIS NIU

    Cox now uses an eMTA combination Telephone & Internet Modem., that will be located inside the home, and plug into one of the existing Telephone jacks, which will then power all the other jacks.

    The eMTA contains a battery that lasts about 8 hours in case of an outage.

    The most common Cox eMTA is the Cisco DPQ3212 eMTA Modem
    http://www.cox.com/residential/support/phone/article.cox?articleId=3a226f70-5ee2-11e0-4e73-000000000000

    http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/modem_DPQ3212.html

  • JazzMan1's avatar
    JazzMan1
    New Contributor
    10 years ago

    That's interesting since the cox FAQ website (http://www.cox.com/residential/support/phone/article.cox?articleId=442d81f0-6418-11df-ccef-000000000000)  specifically calls out for NIU's:

    What exactly do you do during the time of install?

    We will attach a Network Interface Unit (NIU) to the side of the your home (usually where the other utilities are located), test phone lines and jacks, verify services and test outgoing and incoming call ability.

    What is a Network Interface Unit (NIU)?

    A Network Interface Unit (NIU) is the device placed on the side of the house and connects incoming signals to the wiring inside the house. The Cox NIU is similar to the device that other phone companies utilize.
  • ChrisL's avatar
    ChrisL
    Former Moderator
    10 years ago
    I went ahead and submitted feedback to get this article corrected.  To answer your questions Cox telephone is indeed setup via eMTA modems now.  The modem will need to be located near access to power, cable, and a phone jack.  Existing phone service will be disconnected outside and the eMTA modem when connected to a phone jack will service all jacks in your home.  This modem may also be used for Internet if you like but that is not necessary.  Battery backups for these units are no longer provided standard however but can be purchased if you wish to have standby power.