Details
Your Cox Internet service is being delivered to your home with fiber and an Optical Network Terminal (ONT). We’ve installed your ONT already. Now it’s time for you to connect your own third-party WiFi router so you can get online. Let’s get started by reviewing some useful information.
- To get Internet service in your home, a standalone WiFi router is required. You’ll need to connect your router to either the Ethernet port on the ONT or an Ethernet jack on the wall.
- Your router will broadcast WiFi or you can connect devices via Ethernet cable. For the best performance, we recommend a Gigabit Ethernet router with WiFi 5 or higher.
Note: WiFi modems are incompatible with the ONT.
Finding the ONT
We’ve installed your ONT in one of a few places depending on your home and property type. The ONT is labeled Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia, or Calix. Use the table below to determine which scenario fits your household best, and then click the link to open a connection guide.
| ONT Placement | Connection Guide |
|---|---|
| Inside wall: The ONT is placed in a bracket, mounted to the wall, and connected to power. |
Connecting to an ONT Ethernet Port |
| Media panel: The ONT is inside a media panel, also known as a smart panel, which is an enclosed cabinet mounted to the wall that contains Cox wiring and equipment. |
If the media panel is not metal and the router will fit inside it: Connecting to an ONT Ethernet Port |
| If the media panel is metal or the router will not fit inside it: Connecting to an Ethernet Wall Jack | |
| Garage wall: The ONT is inside a media panel or placed in a bracket and mounted to a garage wall. |
Connecting to an Ethernet Wall Jack |
| Exterior wall: The ONT is placed in a weather-proof box, and then mounted to an outside wall on the exterior of the home. Do not attempt to open this box. |
Connecting to an Ethernet Wall Jack |
Note: If you are using the Cox Panoramic Wifi Gateway with your ONT, then you will receive a kit with the gateway and instructions.
