Cox cable customers in Arizona who have televisions in their homes hooked up without a cable box will need to start using “mini boxes” and paying for that service, as the company moves to an all-digital signal.
Some customers who use the most basic, $25-per-month cable service don’t use receivers and will need to install the boxes.
Other customers with more expensive cable packages that use receivers often connect extra televisions in spare rooms or garages with a cable only to access limited stations. They no longer will be able to do that when the signal becomes all digital. Cox has been incrementally notifying customers in segments of its service area that they soon will lose the signal on televisions plugged directly into a cable without a receiver.
“The good news is the majority of our customers already have a digital box somewhere in their home,” said Cox’s senior marketing manager, Jonathan Brooks.
Eventually, the company will charge $2.99 per month per mini box, but for now, Cox is offering one free mini box for a year and, for certain customers, two free mini boxes for a year.
The $2.99-per-month fee can add up for customers who use a regular receiver for their main television but have multiple sets not using receivers.
In Southern Arizona, the first phase of the changeover will begin with some channels going beginning May 3, including Animal Planet, Food Network, TVLand, A&E, AMC, fx, History and TBS. The final phase of channel groupings to go all-digital will be Aug. 23, said Andrea Katsenes, a Cox spokeswoman.
“We are doing this to improve customer service,” Katsenes said.
The shift to digital signals will improve picture quality, allow customers to use an on-screen program guide and increase the number of HD channels, according to Cox.
The company isn’t sure how many customers need cable boxes because it doesn’t track the number of televisions hooked up without a receiver, Katsenes said.
Arizona is one of the the last Cox markets to make the shift, with many other markets having made the move in the last two years.
Customers can get mini boxes at Cox Solutions Stores, by ordering online at cox.com/goalldigital or by calling (623) 251-6913.
The devices plug into a coaxial cable and require a power outlet.
Cox officials said most customers are able to install the devices without assistance.
Cox in early April also announced its new Contour TV offering, which includes a voice-activated remote control and a variety of other features.
