Item: Optimum Internet Review 2023
Rating: 4

Optimum Staff Review

Good speeds and prices from major national provider

Optimum is a major national cable internet provider. Most of Optimum’s 4.3 million subscribers receive cable internet service. But the ISP is also rapidly adding more all-fiber connections with symmetrical speeds. Optimum is the internet brand name of Altice USA, which rolled 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. We'll give you an overview of what else to expect from an Optimum internet connection.

PROS
Gigabit download speeds	No data caps or contracts	2-year price guarantee

CONS
Limited availability for all-fiber internet	Slower upload speeds for cable than all-fiber	Average customer satisfaction scores

Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals

1-833-337-0356

Pricing

Two-year price lock for a variety of speeds across Optimum plans

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. [3]. Whether you get the usual cable service or all-fiber, you will get very good prices from Optimum, and those prices will be locked for 2 years. Here’s an example. You’ll pay $40/month for Optimum’s first tier cable plan, which is 300 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload. That is a very good price for such speeds. Even Optimum’s first-tier fiber plan is also priced at $40/month for symmetrical 300 Mbps speeds. When you add to those rock-bottom prices the option to bundle your mobile phone service for only $15-30/month, *plus* additional discounts on your internet plan, you will be getting a seriously good deal on fast internet. 1 Gig speeds run around $80/month for the promotional period, but only $65 if you bundle with mobile. In the areas where you can get 2 Gig or 5 Gig Optimum Fiber, you’ll pay $120-180/month for symmetrical speeds, which is still competitive with the lowest multigig prices across the industry. Two years of price lock is a long time. With no required contracts, you can opt for two years of these great prices, then see how you like your service. Optimum’s initial pricing plus no data caps to give you surprise overage charges make their internet plans a very attractive offer.

Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals

1-833-337-0356

Reliability and Performance

Cable and fiber both provide fast download speeds, but fiber wins for upload speeds

With hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) technology, Optimum gives its cable customers gigabit download speeds but 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. These speeds are still quite adequate for even high-data tasks like gaming or streaming on multiple devices. Optimum differs from the cable internet competition because it is also launching into the all-fiber internet market. Optimum’s current fiber internet customer base is small but has doubled in the last couple of years from around 100,000 to over 200,000 subscribers [4]. By 2025, Optimum plans to create over 6.5 million fiber passings [5]. Fiber internet’s most striking advantage over cable internet is that fiber offers symmetrical upload and download speeds. With Optimum’s fiber plans, customers get the same 300 Mbps download speed as with cable, but instead of cable’s 20-50 Mbps upload, they will get a full 300 upload speed from fiber. This is a game-changer that means you will never have any bandwidth issues for online gaming, videoconferencing, and large homes with multiple devices. When Altice merged Suddenlink under the Optimum brand, the company had two distinct “footprints” left from where the old 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]. And Optimum is offering its fastest new plan at a mind-boggling 8 Gigs in the tristate area as well [6]. But wherever your Optimum plan is based, know that rapid fiber buildout is coming, and the HFC cable internet is an excellent alternative until then.

Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals

1-833-337-0356

Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

No equipment rental fees, free installation with Optimum plans

Optimum will provide your modem/router as part of your monthly plan fee, with no extra rental charge. If you have a compatible cable plan, you may even get a Wi-Fi 6 router, which will give you higher speeds for multiple devices than Wi-Fi 5. Fiber internet plans from Optimum will often include the Wi-Fi 6 gateway as well. Optimum’s Smart Wi-Fi 6 router will be especially helpful if you want to use Smart Home devices such as door cameras, thermostats, or lights. The wider bandwidth allows you to run all those devices without overloading your router. 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 Optimum plans. This bonus is unusual, as most ISPs charge $60-100 for installation.

Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals

1-833-337-0356

Customer Experience & Support

Optimum customer satisfaction

Optimum has an impressive array of customer support options:

Phone support
Online chat support
Email help
Social media support (X)
Brick-and-mortar stores

With all these options, Optimum has a good track record of responding promptly to customer needs.

Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals

1-833-337-0356

FAQ's

Where can I order Optimum internet service?

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit OptimumSavings.com.

Does Optimum have data caps on its internet plans?

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.

What is the internet speed upgrade service provided by Optimum?

Optimum offers a free internet speed upgrade service to loyal customers, providing faster speeds and better value without changing the current price.

What options are available for renting a modem from Optimum?

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.

How can I explore different speed options for Optimum Internet service?

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.

How can I save on my monthly bills with Optimum Internet and Mobile services?

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.