Cox Launches First Gaming-Optimized Internet Service, And It's Worrying

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• Cox Launches First Gaming-Optimized Internet Service, And It's Worrying

When the FCC removed the internet neutrality legislation in 2017, many outlets and analysts warned that it was only a matter of time before a story broke. The company takes the opportunity to create a so-called "fast track" or optimized Internet connection. And today is the day that has finally passed. Brian Crecente first reported to Variety, a US internet service provider called Cox is introducing a new subscriber package called Cox Elite Gamer that will offer 34% less lag, 55% less ping spikes and 45% less jitter for subscribers playing PC games like Fortnite, Overwatch, and Apex Legends. The service, which is available only to Cox subscribers in the state of Arizona for the next three months for a trial, works by giving subscribers an "optimized path" to the server. 39, a game that uses a white version of wtfast. To sign up, you must subscribe to one of Cox's Internet service plans, which range in price from € 59.99 to € 119.99 / month, and transfer to the Elite Gamer Plan for € 14.99 / month. additional. According to a statement from Cox sent to LaComparacion, Cox Elite Gamer subscribers then download the software and connect to their favorite game through the software. The software directs the player through a more efficient Internet path to the game servers, enhancing the player experience. According to the information available on Cox's website, the service will connect you to "thousands of popular game servers" and includes images from Fortnite, Overwatch, and Apex Legends, although telecommunications say this line of games could change to it. future.

34% better for some or 34% worse for everyone else?

What Cox wanted to point out at LaComparacion is that you don't pay for tiered traffic or increased connection speeds, but simply for a more optimized connection. According to Cox, this is not illegal and would be permissible regardless of current laws. But this begs the question: if a better connection to a game server is possible, why isn't this the standard network path? According to a Cox spokesperson, it is because "Cox Elite Gamer solves a public glitches problem on the Internet, NOT on our network." The customer experience has not been degraded by customers purchasing the Cox Elite Gamer service in addition to their internet connection, but we are still concerned that packages like Cox Elite Gamer will set a dangerous precedent for paying extra for better access that might apply. one day to all aspects of the Internet, from social media to video streaming, which could have its own "optimized connection." While supporters of the fast track argue that less government regulation is a good thing and that fast tracks could promote competition among operators, the general fear of consumers is that cable companies could take advantage of their oligopoly and use . Worse, it could force consumers to choose which parts of the Internet they have access to. While Cox falls short of blocking or throttling game server connections, it charges more for a service than could have been, and probably should have been, available to everyone.