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Quantum Fiber vs. Optimum Internet Providers Compared

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Quantum Fiber Vs Optimum

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Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Nov. 10, 2023 / Updated Aug. 6, 2026

You are currently comparing:

Quantum Fiber Vs Optimum

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Plans starting at: $45

Popular Package: Up to 1Gbps

Download speeds up to: 8 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

Plans starting at: $30

Popular Package: 1 Gig Fiber Internet

Download speeds up to: 8 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

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

Quantum Fiber Staff rating

4.3

Quantum Fiber brings superior internet speeds and reliability at an appealing price.

Quantum Fiber is a fiber-optic internet service originally developed by Lumen Technologies. On February 2, 2026, AT&T acquired Lumen’s Mass Markets fiber-to-the-home business (including Quantum Fiber) in an all-cash deal valued at $5.75 billion. The acquisition included consumer fiber operations in 11 states, adding more than 1 million fiber customers and over 4 million enabled fiber locations to AT&T’s network. Lumen retained its enterprise network infrastructure and copper-based services, while AT&T integrated the acquired fiber assets into its expanding fiber broadband portfolio.

PROS

Symmetrical fiber speeds No data caps or contracts Competitive cost-per-megabit value

Cons

Limited availability Some connections may be only FTTC Multi-gig plans not available in all service areas
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

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

Quantum Fiber Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
Up To 8GbpsFiber InternetUp to 8,000 Mbps Only $165
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Up To 3GbpsFiber InternetUp to 3,000 Mbps Only $70
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
1Gig for $45/mo Limited availability. New customers only. Existing Quantum Fiber households ineligible
Up To 1Gbps Fiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $45
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Up To 500MbpsFiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

Optimum Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
Free Professional Installation
8 Gig Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 8,000 Mbps Only $90
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Free Professional Installation
2 Gig Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $60
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Free Professional Installation
1 Gig Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Free Professional Installation
500 Mbps Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $40
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Free Professional Installation
300 Mbps Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $30
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

Quantum Fiber Pricing

4.5

Competitive, straightforward prices.

Quantum Fiber offers straightforward pricing that includes an autopay discount. Monthly costs are approximately $5 higher if you don't enroll in automatic payments. In most markets, the two primary plans available are the 500 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps (1 Gig) tiers. Multi-gigabit options—up to 2 Gig, up to 3 Gig, and up to 8 Gig plans—are available in select areas. All plans include free equipment rental during an initial period, unlimited data, and no contracts [7].

Value Analysis

When evaluating internet plans, the cost per megabit provides insight into true value. Quantum Fiber's entry-level 500 Mbps plan at $50 per month equates to 10 cents per Mbps—a competitive rate for fiber service. This pricing structure positions Quantum Fiber favorably against cable providers that may advertise lower introductory rates but dramatically increase rates after promotional periods end. Three potential cost increases:
  1. Equipment rental fees: Quantum Fiber provides free equipment during an "initial period." After this period ends, rental fees may apply. You can drop these fees altogether by using your own compatible router.
  2. Installation costs: Professional installation is currently free, though Quantum Fiber states this "could change in the future," and additional products or services might incur extra installation costs.
  3. Taxes and miscellaneous fees: Local and state taxes and regulatory fees may increase over time, beyond Quantum Fiber's control.

No Data Caps or Contracts

All Quantum Fiber plans include unlimited data, allowing unrestricted internet use within the acceptable use policy without overage fees or speed throttling. The absence of contracts means you can cancel or modify service at any time without incurring early termination fees.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

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 $30/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

Quantum Fiber Reliability and Performance

4.5

Symmetrical upload and download speeds and superior reliability during peak usage times.

Quantum Fiber utilizes fiber-optic technology, which provides two key advantages over cable and DSL: symmetrical upload and download speeds, and superior reliability during peak usage times. Symmetrical speeds mean your upload capacity matches your download speed. On the Mbps plan, for instance, you receive Mbps in both directions. This is valuable for video conferencing, uploading large files, livestreaming, and cloud backups.

Fiber-to-the-Home vs. Fiber-to-the-Curb

In most installations, Quantum Fiber deploys Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), where fiber-optic cable runs directly to your residence. This provides the fastest possible speeds with full symmetrical performance. However, in some cases, Quantum Fiber may install Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC), where the final connection to your home uses coaxial cable. Even a short coaxial cable segment will reduce upload speeds compared to pure fiber. If you receive an FTTC connection, your download speeds may remain at the advertised levels, but your upload speeds will be slower than the symmetrical speeds typical of FTTH. Before installation, confirm which connection type your location will receive.

Performance Capacity

A gigabit fiber plan from Quantum Fiber supports about 10 devices simultaneously, enabling high-bandwidth activities (such as 4K streaming and online gaming) while maintaining smooth performance. The combination of low latency, high bandwidth, and consistent speeds makes fiber particularly well-suited for households with multiple heavy internet users.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

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

Quantum Fiber Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.0

Get free use of a  360 Wi-Fi mesh router or use your own router

Quantum Fiber provides its 360 Wi-Fi equipment at no additional cost during an initial period. This system includes a SmartNID ONT device and up to four mesh Wi-Fi pods. The number of Wi-Fi pods will be determined by your installation technician based on your home's size. Most equipment has Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, but Wi-Fi 7 is available in select areas. The mesh network architecture offers better coverage than traditional single-router setups. This is beneficial for larger homes or properties with thick walls that impede wireless signals. The 360 Wi-Fi system creates whole-home connectivity by placing pods throughout your space, eliminating dead zones and ensuring seamless handoff as you move between areas. This setup supports the high device counts and bandwidth demands typical of modern households.

Professional Installation

Quantum Fiber currently provides free professional installation. The internet provider has noted this "could change in the future," and customers requiring additional products or services may incur extra installation costs. Professional installation ensures proper fiber-optic connection, optimal equipment placement for your home's layout, and immediate resolution of any technical issues. The installation process:
  • Running fiber-optic cable to your home (FTTH) or to the curb (FTTC)
  • Installing the SmartNID ONT
  • Positioning mesh Wi-Fi pods throughout the home
  • Testing connection speeds and performance
  • Explaining system features and troubleshooting resources
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

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

Quantum Fiber Experience & Support

4.0

Quantum Fiber satisfaction scores below fiber industry average

According to the 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report comparing internet providers, Quantum Fiber scored 71 out of 100 points—a 7% decline from the previous year. This places Quantum Fiber four points below the fiber industry average of 75 [3]. The 2025 ACSI data also indicated that overall fiber provider scores decreased by 1% year-over-year across the industry [8]. The J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study did not differentiate between Quantum Fiber and CenturyLink DSL, instead reporting combined results for Lumen Technologies. In the West, where Quantum Fiber has its strongest presence, Lumen Technologies ranked last with a score of 511 out of 1,000. This combined scoring methodology means CenturyLink's lower-performing DSL service likely impacted the overall rating. If you compare fiber and DSL services within the Lumen portfolio, the ACSI shows Quantum Fiber's fiber service scores 16 points higher than CenturyLink's DSL offerings. This gap showcases that fiber customers report better experiences than DSL subscribers. The 7% satisfaction decline and below-average ACSI score suggest Quantum Fiber has customer experience downfalls regardless of its technical advantages. Issues affecting its customer experience ratings likely include installation delays, equipment problems, billing discrepancies, and customer service responsiveness. Reddit backs this up, with some users frustrated with Quantum Fiber's reliability: "The speed is great, consistent 550mbps up and down, but it is so unreliable" [9]. Other subscribers report a more positive experience, but do note that they are utilizing their own equipment instead of the Quantum Fiber-supplied equipment: "Love [Quantum Fiber], just get your own wifi equipment" [10]. Despite the below-average satisfaction scores, Quantum Fiber remains a strong technical choice where available. The combination of fast symmetrical speeds, unlimited data, no contracts, and competitive pricing creates genuine value.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

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

Quantum Fiber FAQ's

Quantum Fiber is available in 18 states across the U.S., including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington. To find out if Quantum Fiber is available at your address, enter your zip code here or call 1-833-440-3174.
Yes, Quantum Fiber allows you to connect multiple users and devices simultaneously. Whether it's for work, school, or entertainment purposes, you can connect and use multiple devices on the same internet connection.
Yes, Quantum Fiber provides Wi-Fi service. With Wi-Fi, you can enjoy wireless connectivity in your home, allowing you to connect your devices without the need for wired connections. The maximum internet speed available for Wi-Fi may vary depending on your location and your internet plan.
Quantum Fiber's benefits include matching upload and download speeds up to multi-gigabit levels, no data caps, and month-to-month service with no long-term commitments required. Additionally, setup and modem costs are included in your plan at no additional fee.
Yes, Quantum Fiber is excellent for gaming. Its symmetrical speeds and fiber-optic connection deliver low latency and stability for competitive online play. The unlimited data means you won't hit caps during gaming sessions or large game updates.
Plans start at $[prov-lopr nation="yes" provider="quantum-fiber"] for [prov-loprsp nation="yes" provider="quantum-fiber"] Mbps and go all the way up to $[prov-hipr nation="yes" provider="quantum-fiber"] for speeds of [prov-hiprsp nation="yes" provider="quantum-fiber"] Mbps.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

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

Quantum Fiber Accolades

Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

Optimum Accolades

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

Quantum Fiber Customers Review

4.5
Pricing
4.5
4.5
Reliability & Performance
4.5
4.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.0
4.0
Customer Experience & Support
4.0
4.3
Overall Rating
4.3
John M
1.3
from Apopka, FL on July 2026
Worthless. Worse than any used before or since. I moved my bundled internet and 5 phone lines to spectrum and have not experienced a loss of use since.
Mercedes
2.3
from Lehigh Acres, FL on June 2026
He tenido cuenta con Quantum en 2 ocaciones y las dos ocaciones he devuelto los equipos. Pero no se que ha pasado que por dos veces Quantum me ha quitado dinero de mi cuenta , como si yo les debiera algo. Gracias a DIOS he tenido los recibos para las devoluciones. OJOOOO, La vida esta muy dificil y es muy triste que estas cosas sucedan. No se como ellos pueden comprobar que se hizo la devolucion si uno da la informacion pero no lo actualizan en su sistema una ves que reciben de los clientes lo que necesitan. Espero que esto sirva para ayudar a alguien. ha sido en estas dos ocaciones trecientos algo y en la segunda alrededor de $475 Que me han tomado de la cuenta
Randall D
1.8
from Loveland, CO on May 2026
Absolutely not worth the effort. Customer Service stinks. Field Techs are nice but have their hands tied. Anything you have more than a few years old will not work and the burden is on you to figure that out. All in all. I'll pay XFinity the extra $20 a month. That works.
Mary T
3.0
from Glendale, AZ on April 2026
I keep getting kicked off auto connect fir wifi every where I go. If I change rooms in my home!very disappointing since I was very specific about connection issues! Same old problem
Justin M
1.8
from Timnath, CO on April 2026
Salesperson said the installer would be sure we had good coverage in all corners of our house after initial setup. What really happened was the installer recommended aftermarket equipment and when asked for a pod to cover our master bedroom begrudgingly handed it over and then split immediately because it could take up to 2 hours for the pod to connect. The pod came with no instructions but we managed to get it to connect. However, about every 30 minutes we get a flashing green light on the pod and it knocks the internet out to the rest of the house. Would have been great if the installer stuck around to make sure everything was working.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

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
Jorge
1.0
from Neosho, MO on July 2026
They make u hold hours. They been charging me 60 dollars for years. They said if I need a new router cause mine was fried from a thunderstorm I need to drive 70 140 to pick up a router. They dont help on the phone the are garbage. I have to wait 14 days for them to get here with a router lol. Now im waiting moretime cause their tech didn't show up. Now they offer to drop me to 35 a month. Wow good looking out on the price reduction seriously. I had tl feel like dropping them to get the discount and they still want me to pay these last 3 weeks I haven't even had service at 60$ they are a sham
Don L
1.0
from Snyder, TX on June 2026
We finally have had enough with these thieves. Not only do they want to raise their price every few months, now when we cancelled our service they won't cancel until the billing cycle ends. My wife called to cancel the day before the billing cycle, but they said I had to cancel since my name was on the bill. They had no problem dealing with her every month when we had billing problems. I finally had the chance to call 4 days into the new billing cycle and was told I would be billed the entire month. Even though we no longer had any connection or equipment to connect to optimum. If I had of used a months’ worth of internet without paying, I'm sure they would have prosecuted me, but it seems to be alright when they are the thieves. If anyone out there is thinking about signing up with optimum, don't do it. Just take your money and flush it. That will be better than dealing with these unethical dishonest thieves.
John S
2.8
on June 2026
On the plus side, Optimum service has been very reliable. However, I am paying a great deal for basic service (100 Mbps for $115.92 a month).
Eric T
3.0
from Point Pleasant, WV on April 2026
Price is entirely too high! The price is always changing! My mother gets the same exact speed as me and she only pays 73$ a month after fees,taxes are added Why am I not getting a better deal?????????????????????
Cathy M
2.0
from Alto, TX on April 2026
I haven't had internet service going on 3 weeks now. First is was a power outage, than they send someone out. Now they are saying it's in the pole. I'm done being without internet.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356