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AT&T vs. Optimum Internet Providers Compared

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AT&T Vs Optimum

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Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Jul. 27, 2023 / Updated Feb. 20, 2026

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AT&T Vs Optimum

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Plans starting at: $35

Popular Package: AT&T FIBER - INTERNET 5000

Download speeds up to: 5 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber & DSL

Call today & find the best AT&T internet deals
1-844-637-5162

Plans starting at: $40

Popular Package: 1 Gig Fiber Internet

Download speeds up to: 1 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber & Cable

Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

AT&T Staff rating

4.8

Industry-leading fiber internet speeds and strong reliability from AT&T

AT&T Fiber can support all your data-intensive internet activities, now and in the future. AT&T continues to lead the industry with multi-gigabit (5000 Mbps) internet speeds available in select areas and more speed on the way. Following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, AT&T is accelerating its fiber network expansion, adding an additional 1 million fiber customer locations annually starting in 2026 [6]. AT&T's network is growing even faster: AT&T agreed to acquire substantially all of Lumen's Mass Markets fiber internet connectivity business—about 1 million fiber customers across more than 4 million fiber locations—in a $5.75 billion deal expected to close in the first half of 2026 [8]. This expansion will bring AT&T Fiber to major metro areas, including Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. The transaction will stimulate investment, create new middle-class jobs, and help AT&T reach approximately 60 million total fiber locations by the end of 2030—roughly doubling the number of locations where AT&T Fiber is available today. This expansion means more customers will have access to AT&T's superior all-fiber internet service. When you add no contracts, no equipment fees, no data caps, and a reputation for reliable customer service, AT&T is a superior choice for all-fiber internet. In areas where only AT&T copper service is available, customers should also check other options and compare speeds and pricing.

PROS

Good value on fast fiber speeds No data caps or equipment fees Highly rated customer service

Cons

Fiber not available in all areas Comparatively high prices on DSL/copper Fee charged if you choose pro installation
Call today & find the best AT&T internet deals
1-844-637-5162

Optimum Staff rating

3.5

Optimum features good speeds but poor customer satisfaction scores

Optimum is a major national cable internet provider. Most of Optimum’s 4.4 million subscribers receive cable internet service [7]. But the ISP is also adding some all-fiber connections in select markets--most prominently in the Northeast [8]. Optimum is the internet brand name of Altice USA, which rebranded the company formerly called Suddenlink into the Optimum brand in 2022 [1]. Altice/Optimum is the 6th-largest ISP in the nation [2]. Optimum seems to check off all the right boxes for many of its offerings. You will have no data caps and no required contracts with Optimum internet plans. You will also get free equipment rental included with your monthly plan price. And Optimum’s prices are good (at least while the promotions last). So why are Optimum’s national customer satisfaction scores so low? We’ll check into that as we give you an overview of what to expect from an Optimum internet connection.

PROS

Gigabit download speeds No data caps or contracts 5-year price lock on select plans

Cons

Poor customer satisfaction scores Slower upload speeds for cable than all-fiber Price hikes after promo rates
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

AT&T Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
$400 in Reward Cards + $20 off per month!
AT&T FIBER - INTERNET 5000Fiber InternetUp to 5,000 Mbps †† Only $135*/mo. w/ No Annual Contract
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
$400 in Reward Cards + $20 off per month!
AT&T FIBER - INTERNET 2000Fiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $105*/mo. w/ No Annual Contract
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
$200 Reward Card + $20 off per month!
AT&T FIBER - INTERNET 1000Fiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $60*/mo. w/ No Annual Contract
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
$200 Reward Card + $20 off per month!
AT&T FIBER - INTERNET 500Fiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $45*/mo. w/ No Annual Contract
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
$200 Reward Card + $20 off per month!
AT&T FIBER - INTERNET 300Fiber InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $35*/mo. w/ No Annual Contract
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Internet 100DSL InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $60
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Call today & find the best AT&T internet deals
1-844-637-5162

Optimum Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
$200 Optimum Prepaid Mastercard! Free installation!
1 Gig Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $80
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
$50 Optimum Prepaid Mastercard! Free installation!
500 Mbps Fiber InternetCable InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $60
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Free Installation!
300 Mbps Fiber InternetCable InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $40
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

AT&T Pricing

4.5

AT&T Fiber internet is affordably priced given its high quality and dependability

AT&T offers reasonable fiber pricing with first-tier fiber internet plans currently starting around $55/month. AT&T won’t always offer you the lowest price for fiber in your area. But AT&T will offer you the low end of industry standard prices. For those prices, you’ll often get higher internet speeds from AT&T than from the competition. You will get good value for the internet speed you’re buying. AT&T Fiber’s advantage is that their fiber connections give you equal download and upload speeds. So, even if AT&T Fiber and a cable provider offer you the same price for a speed they both call “300 Mbps,” you will not be getting the same speeds from fiber and cable providers. All cable internet may have high download speeds, but has much slower upload speeds (usually around 10-20 Mbps). AT&T Fiber will give you the same upload speed as your download speed for your monthly price. Having upload speed equal to your download speed can make a big difference for real-time activities such as video streaming and gaming. Fiber also offers low latency, which you’ll see in a ping test. So overall, you are getting more for your money with a fiber internet plan, even when fiber and cable plans advertise the same prices and download speeds. There’s one drawback to AT&T’s pricing. AT&T’s copper-wired service (DSL/ IPBB) is priced at around the same as its first-tier fiber plan. This price is higher by Mbps given that copper service is much slower and less reliable than fiber. We hope AT&T will consider lowering the price of its copper service to give better value to DSL/IPBB customers.
Call today & find the best AT&T internet deals
1-844-637-5162

Optimum Pricing

3.0

Good initial prices followed by price hikes

Cable internet is the chief type of connection that Optimum provides its customers. Because of improvements to cable internet technology, you can get gigabit download speeds from many cable internet companies like Optimum. You just won’t get the same upload speeds from cable as you will from an all-fiber connection [3]. Whether you get the usual cable service or all-fiber, you will get good prices from Optimum, and, on select plans, those prices will be locked for 5 years (as of January 2026) [9]. Here’s an example. You’ll pay $40/month for Optimum’s first-tier plan, which is up to 300. That is a good price for these speeds. The catch is that after the promotional period ends, standard prices will apply, which will increase your bill. That may be why Optimum is seeing year-over-year declines in its cable customers [4]. The price hikes may be pushing people to other options at the end of their promotional period.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

AT&T Reliability and Performance

5.0

Decades of growth give AT&T reliable infrastructure and sophisticated operations

As the third-largest ISP in the United States, AT&T has massive corporate size and history on its side. AT&T’s home internet serves over 100 metro areas in 22 states, with over 19 million fiber internet passings [1] [2]. AT&T provides strong infrastructure and tech support. With 99% reliability for your internet connection, AT&T Fiber service is less likely to be disrupted by outages or slowdowns than many other internet providers [3]. AT&T’s reliability rating is higher than some other ISPs because AT&T customers do not have to work with internet data caps. Many internet service providers have soft data caps. When you hit your data allowance for the month, your ISP will throttle your internet. Your internet speed will slow down to the point that only the simplest email tasks will be possible. You won’t be able to do complex web browsing, streaming, or your other usual internet tasks. In other words, your internet will become unreliable when you hit the limits of your data caps. AT&T and other providers with no data caps give you peace of mind because you won’t suddenly lose most of your internet functionality in the third week of the month. Unlimited data is a major bonus for your internet connection’s reliability.
Call today & find the best AT&T internet deals
1-844-637-5162

Optimum Reliability and Performance

4.0

Cable and fiber both provide fast download speeds, but cable's upload speeds are slower

With hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) technology, Optimum gives its cable customers gigabit download speeds but much slower upload speeds. That’s typical for cable internet service. Optimum is comparable to other major cable internet providers such as Spectrum and Xfinity, offering upload speeds at a maximum of around 35-50 Mbps. Optimum differs from the cable internet competition because it is also launching into the all-fiber internet market. As of November 2025, Optimum has over 3 million fiber passings and continues to expand [10]. Fiber internet’s most striking advantage over cable internet is its symmetrical upload and download speeds. This is a game-changer for online gaming, videoconferencing, and large homes with multiple devices. When Altice merged Suddenlink into the Optimum brand, the company had two distinct “footprints” from where the former Optimum and Suddenlink coverage had existed. Suddenlink’s coverage area had been primarily in the South and West. Optimum was strong in the Northeast, and particularly in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Now, the fiber buildout is fastest in that tristate area [1]. Your chances of getting fiber internet from Optimum is better if you live in the tri-state area.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

AT&T Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

5.0

AT&T offers no equipment fees, optional self-installation, extra cybersecurity features

As long as you have AT&T internet service, you will also get to use an internet gateway at no charge [4]. (This gateway is a modem/router combo known as AT&T Smart Wi-Fi.) Your plan may also include a free Wi-Fi extender depending on your terms. If you order AT&T Fiber, technicians will install an ONT (optical network terminal) and a fiber jack or ethernet jack. Professional installation from AT&T will cost you $99 for either copper internet or fiber installation. If you are planning to order copper-based internet (DSL/IPBB) and there is already a dual-port phone jack in your home, AT&T can mail you a self-installation kit at no charge. You can even self-install fiber internet if you are comfortable with a wall installation and following technical instructions. AT&T customers have access to the AT&T ActiveArmor internet security app. The app will block fraud calls and guard risky Wi-Fi connections. For a small extra monthly charge, ActiveArmor offers advanced functions such as Identity Monitoring and Reverse Number Lookup. AT&T also offers a Smart Home Manager app to manage your Wi-Fi and all smart home devices and check for outages.
Call today & find the best AT&T internet deals
1-844-637-5162

Optimum Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.0

No equipment rental fees, free installation with Optimum plans

Optimum will provide you with a WiFi 6E gateway as a part of your monthly plan fee, with no extra rental charge [9]. If you would rather use your own modem and router, Optimum will allow it. Just be sure to check for compatibility with their specs. Standard installation is free with most Optimum plans.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

AT&T Experience & Support

5.0

AT&T Customer Service provides 24/7 tech support and ranks #1

AT&T has a robust customer support framework, including community forums, live chat, and phone assistance. Tech support is available 24/7, which can be a lifesaver if you work or study from home. Billing and account support are available from 7 AM to 9 PM CT Monday through Friday, and 8 AM to 9 PM Saturday. Those Saturday hours are especially valuable if you work Monday to Friday and can’t squeeze in personal business during the week. In 2023, AT&T ranked#1 for Customer Satisfaction in Residential Internet Service (North Central and West regions) with J.D. Power and Associates [5]. AT&T also ranked #2 in the South region.
Call today & find the best AT&T internet deals
1-844-637-5162

Optimum Experience & Support

3.0

Optimum customer satisfaction: the big question mark

With so many seemingly good points to its service and pricing, why has Optimum’s customer satisfaction scored significantly below average according to J.D. Power? [6] A sampling of online user reviews suggests two major complaints. The first is outages and failure of technical response. The second is a more general dissatisfaction with the phone system: being transferred to different departments and receiving contradictory responses from different phone reps when trying to resolve billing issues. Because this is a fairly even distribution of complaints, it’s likely that Optimum is not responding quickly enough to customer concerns, whether they are technical or billing-related. We can’t know the reason for this dysfunction. Often, these kinds of responsiveness issues happen when companies are understaffed or have high staff turnover in their customer service. But until Optimum improves its ratings, we have to give it only 3 stars for customer satisfaction.  
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

AT&T FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit ATT-bundles.com.
Absolutely! AT&T provides step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process of setting up your own internet connection. By setting up your internet on your own, you can save money by avoiding the cost of professional installation. Additionally, you'll receive your Wi-Fi gateway within three business days, skipping the waiting time for a technician. The self-setup process takes around 30 minutes, allowing you to connect to the internet quickly.
AT&T offers the free AT&T Smart Home Manager app, which allows you to easily manage and personalize your home network information using your own device. With this app, you can control various aspects of your Wi-Fi network, including device management, network security, and parental controls. The app is free to use if you have one of the compatible Wi-Fi gateways listed on the AT&T website.
Yes, AT&T Internet allows you to connect multiple devices to your home network. Whether it's smartphones, tablets, laptops, or smart home devices, you can connect them all to your Wi-Fi network provided by AT&T Internet.
To optimize your Wi-Fi signal, there are a few steps you can take. Start by placing your Wi-Fi gateway in a central location within your home. Ensure that there are no obstructions, such as walls or large objects, blocking the signal. You can also try adjusting the Wi-Fi channel settings on your gateway to reduce interference from neighboring networks. Additionally, consider using Wi-Fi extenders or mesh network systems to expand your coverage area and improve signal strength in hard-to-reach areas of your home.
AT&T Fiber has no data caps. AT&T Internet has a one terabyte (TB) data cap, which is very high and will support most households with average data use.
Call today & find the best AT&T internet deals
1-844-637-5162

Optimum FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit OptimumSavings.com.
No, Optimum does not impose data caps on any of its internet plans. You will have unlimited data on both cable internet and fiber internet plans from Optimum.
Optimum offers a free internet speed upgrade service to loyal customers, providing faster speeds and better value without changing the current price.
Optimum provides two options for renting a modem: one includes tech support and equipment replacement, while the other option is for purchasing a compatible modem.
To explore different speed options for your Optimum Internet service, you can enter your zip code here at CompareInternet.com to see what plans are available in your area.
Optimum offers savings on monthly bills through their Internet + Mobile Savings program, allowing customers to save up to $30/month by combining Optimum Internet and Optimum Mobile services.
Only Optimum Mobile and Optimum Internet customers are eligible for the Internet + Mobile Savings program offered by Optimum.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

AT&T Customers Review

4.5
Pricing
4.5
5.0
Reliability & Performance
5.0
5.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
5.0
5.0
Customer Experience & Support
5.0
4.8
Overall Rating
4.8
Dennis G
1.8
from Canton, OH on March 2026
Daughter couldn't connect laptop or phone when visiting
Cathy B
1.0
from Speedwell, TN on March 2026
Our service is awful cannot load anything very bad service only shows 1 to 2 bars of service sometimes none price is way to high for no service. Cathy
Rachel Spence
1.0
from Napa, CA on March 2026
We have the basic internet because we live outside the city limits and AT&T doesn’t have coverage out here. Our internet is very slow and if the cable TV is on I can’t stream.
Juan Carlos Poblano Flores
3.8
on March 2026
Esta bien pero a veces no tengo señal en algunos lugares
Roland Laing
2.8
from New Smyrna Beach, FL on March 2026
Over the years, AT&T and its U-verse have become difficult to deal with and no long committed to providing customers with good quality service.
Call today & find the best AT&T internet deals
1-844-637-5162

Optimum Customers Review

3.0
Pricing
3.0
4.0
Reliability & Performance
4.0
4.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.0
3.0
Customer Experience & Support
3.0
3.5
Overall Rating
3.5
Rodger Morales
1.8
from Lake Havasu City, AZ on March 2026
Optimum is the worst company, period to use. When you decide to cancel this company's service, they will bust your butt to make it extremely difficult to do so. Once you believe you have the service canceled, during a conversation with a foreign person who hardly speaks English, they continue to attempt to steal money right out of your CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT. Today, I find they have charged my credit card $80.00, this month (March 24th, 2026) and I totally/completely cancelled their service on February 6th 2026. Very shortly, after my canceling their service, they attempted to charge me for the 'modem', which I 100% PURCHED at the on-set of their service! They couldn't make that 'stick' so they went on to trying to charge me the monthly service of $80.00, which the had just raised from $50.00! I'm not at the same address, and not even in the same State, at this time! A friend of mine, Heaven forbid, set-up for their service at my old address. At that time neither myself nor she had any Idea of how crooked this out-fit was! They offered her a very good rate to begin with, but I hope it works for her, when she decides to get 'out'! Their 'foreigner' rep. assured me all was finished between Optimum and me as of that Feb. 6th 2026 date. I 'pushed' him to say that statement three times, while on the phone and thought we were finished! If you want to spend hours on the phone with who knows how many customer service representatives who CAN'T speak English, go with Optimum. I you read another review, above, you'll find this guy was/is still fighting with them a year after he canceled their service. I and I'm positive every other customer of Optimum will warn you, DO NOT BECOME INVOLVED WITH THIS INTERNET/PHONE SERVICE! I guarantee you every word of this review is TRUE! PAY HEED!!! DO YOURSELF AND THOSE YOU KNOW A FAVOR, STAY AWAY FROM THIS BUNCH OF CROOKS!!!!!!!!!
Anita Caulder
3.0
from Hendersonville, NC on March 2026
We are stuck and have not other choice basically. The ATT service in our area is not reliable per neighbor's advice and other options are not available. So I feel as if Optimum is taking advantage of our situation. They continue to " allure" us with this fibernet with the promotion attached, but have yet that provided. Need them,, but wished for better pricing due to the situation.
Cierra Walker
3.5
from Georgetown, TX on January 2026
Internet runs great. The charges per month is high and I believe should not be over 130 for just having internet. Customer service is terrible. I had an issue because I was charged twice. Without asking me they applied a credit to my account. I request a refund and was told it could take up to 7 business days. It's been 7 business days and still have not gotten my money back. I reached back out and was now told 10-14 days. It didn't take days to take the money out of my account so it should not be taking this long to put my funds back. I am frustrated and this is trull unsettling. Will not continue with this internet service when i move.
Daniel W
1.8
from Quaker City, OH on January 2026
Senior citizen discounts all of a sudden don't apply, was $30 mo. A year ago, now $55 month, no extra streaming either. Goes out every heavy rain storm, snow, or windy day.
Keri L
1.0
from Aubrey, TX on January 2026
Forget saying that Optimum is the worst internet company to use. Optimum is the worst company, period to use. If you want a company to refuse to cancel service and steal money right out of your account, and then send you over to collections, go with Optimum. If you want to spend hours on the phone with who knows how many customer service representatives who can’t speak English, go with Optimum. If you want to finally get your case escalated to executive customer relations a year after you canceled service, and have executive customer relations give you the middle finger, go with Optimum. Or, you could save yourself all the time, trouble, and aneurysms and just not use Optimum.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356