Optimum Internet Review
Optimum promotes fast internet at an affordable price. But how fast and how affordable? Is it better than the competition? Find out in this article.
Overall Score | 3.6 | ||
Price | 3.8 | ||
Customer Service | 2.3 | ||
Reliability | 3.7 | ||
Speed | 4.7 | ||
Pros and Cons
- Has fiber-optic
- Affordable prices
- No term contract
- No data caps
- Poor reliability
- Limited availability
Bottom Line
Affordable high-speed internet provider for heavy data usage
Reliable internet can be hard to come by. It's a gem if you find one. Not to mention, data caps are annoying to deal with. But other internet providers still offer them.
Luckily, Optimum Internet has got your back. There are a ton of plans and speeds to choose from. So you can find one that suits your budget and needs.
What are your choices and is it worth it? Read on to find out.
What is Optimum?
Optimum is one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the USA.
It's the primary arm of Altice USA–a company that provides telecom, media, entertainment, and advertising services. Hence, you get broadband, video, and mobile services with Optimum.
Who is Optimum Best For
 |
Optimum is best for those with multiple household members who perform data-heavy activities. You could do content creation, stream in 4k, or play multiplayer FPS-heavy games.
This is because Optimum offers plans of up to 8 GB, which isn't something that other internet providers do. Competitors usually just offer up to 1 GB.
Additionally, Optimum's price point is pretty good compared to its competitors. It's a good option if you're on a budget.
Sounds good so far? You could further weigh Optimum's benefits with its pros and cons.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable prices
- Plenty of choices
- No term contract
- No data caps
- Has both fiber and cable plans
Cons:
- Poor customer reviews on reliability
- Limited area availability
Optimum is available in 21 states across the USA. These service areas include:[1]
- Arizona
- California
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- West Virginia
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
Here's a detailed breakdown of each Optimum Internet plan.
Plans and Pricing
Optimum offers several fiber and cable internet plans for customers to choose from. The prices and availability may vary depending on your location.
Here are the base prices:
| Internet Plan | Starting Price/Month for 1 year | Standard Rates/Month starts at |
|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps Fiber Internet | $40 | $70 |
| 500 Mbps Fiber Internet | $60 | $90 |
| 1 Gig Fiber Internet | $80 | $110 |
| 2 Gig Fiber Internet | $120 | $130 |
| 5 Gig Fiber Internet | $180 | $200 |
| 8 Gig Fiber Internet | $280 | $300 |
| 300 Mbps Internet | $40 | $70 |
| 500 Mbps Internet | $60 | $90 |
| 1 Gig Internet | $80 | $110 |
| Optimum Advantage Internet | $14.99 | $14.99 |
On a budget? Look into Optimum Advantage Internet. Just note that there are eligibility requirements to qualify.
If you fall under any of these categories, then you can purchase Optimum Advantage Internet:[2]
- Your household qualifies for or participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- You are a New York City resident attending a New York City public school
- You are 65 years or older and are eligible for or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- You are a veteran and receive state or federal public assistance
Internet Speeds
Optimum's plans come with varying speeds. Check out the download and upload speeds below:[3]
| Plan | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps Fiber Internet | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps |
| 500 Mbps Fiber Internet | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps |
| 1 Gig Fiber Internet | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps |
| 2 Gig Fiber Internet | 2 Gbps | 2 Gbps |
| 5 Gig Fiber Internet | 5 Gbps | 5 Gbps |
| 8 Gig Fiber Internet | 8 Gbps | 8 Gbps |
| Fiber Optimum 25 | 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| Fiber Optimum 50 | 50 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Fiber Optimum 100 | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Optimum Internet | 100 Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| 300 Mbps Internet | 300 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| 500 Mbps Internet | 500 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| 1 Gig Internet | 940 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
| Optimum Advantage Internet | 50 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
Fiber internet is much faster and more reliable than cable internet. Because of this, fiber internet is usually more expensive.
While fiber and cable have similar download speeds, fiber has much faster upload speeds. That said, cable internet is more widely available in the US.
You'll get a better deal if you buy your internet plan with other services offered. Check out the bundles in the next section.
Optimum internet Bundles
Here are the bundle prices and what you get per bundle:[4]
300 Mbps Fiber + Mobile 1 GB
- $45/month for 1 year with auto pay and paperless bill plus mobile taxes
- 300 Mbps Fiber Internet
- 1 GB mobile data
- Unlimited calls and texts
- 1 free Gateway
- 1 free Wi-Fi extender
- $50 Optimum Prepaid Mastercard. Terms apply.
- Up to $400 off on iPhone 15 with trade-in. Terms apply.
500 Mbps Fiber + Unlimited Mobile
- $75/month for 1 year with auto pay and paperless bill plus mobile taxes
- 500 Mbps Fiber Internet
- Mobile with unlimited data
- Unlimited calls and texts
- 1 free Gateway
- 1 free Wi-Fi extender
- $100 Optimum Prepaid Mastercard. Terms apply.
- Get an iPhone 15 128 GB with trade-in. Terms apply.
1 Gig Fiber + Unlimited Mobile
- $90/month for 1 year with auto pay and paperless bill plus mobile taxes
- 1 Gig Fiber Internet
- Mobile with unlimited data
- Unlimited calls and texts
- 1 free Gateway
- 1 free Wi-Fi extender
- $200 Optimum Prepaid Mastercard. Terms apply.
- Get an iPhone 15 128 GB with trade-in. Terms apply.
2 Gig Fiber + Unlimited Mobile
- $100/month for 1 year with auto pay and paperless bill plus mobile taxes
- 2 Gig Fiber Internet
- Mobile with unlimited data
- Unlimited calls and texts
- 1 free Gateway
- 1 free Wi-Fi extender
- $200 Optimum Prepaid Mastercard. Terms apply.
- Get an iPhone 15 128 GB with trade-in. Terms apply.
5 Gig Fiber + Unlimited Mobile
- $125/month for 1 year with auto pay and paperless bill plus mobile taxes
- 5 Gig Fiber Internet
- Mobile with unlimited data
- Unlimited calls and texts
- 1 free Gateway
- 1 free Wi-Fi extender
- $200 Optimum Prepaid Mastercard. Terms apply.
- Get an iPhone 15 128 GB with trade-in. Terms apply.
Note that promos may vary depending on your location. And that all starting prices increase by $25 after the promo period.
To qualify for the advertised bundle price, you need to fulfill both requirements:
- A separate sign-up for and maintenance of Internet and mobile services
- Mobile sign-up must be completed within 30 days of Internet sign-up
To know the total potential cost of subscribing to Optimum, review what's listed in the next section.
Optimum Billing Information
The fees you might see on your bill each month may include:[3]
- Internet Plan ($40 to $300)
This is the internet plan you choose, and the cost depends on the speed you want.If you set up automatic payment and opt for paperless billing, you'll get the advertised price. Otherwise, you'll pay an extra $5 on top of the advertised price.
- Optimum Wi-Fi Extender ($0 to $3/mo)
Your plan comes with 1 free Wi-Fi extender. Additional extenders start at $3/mo. - Extra Wireless Gateway ($0 to $12/mo)
When you purchase a plan from Optimum, they give you 1 free gateway. Additional gateways start at $12/mo. - Installation Fees ($0 to $100)
To have your internet professionally installed, prices start at $100. If you choose to self-install (at checkout), it's free. - Optimum Wi-Fi Modem Rental (starts at $12/mo)
You can rent or purchase a modem. The cost of purchasing one depends on your location. You can call Optimum to inquire about the prices at your address.
If you order online, you'll get it within 48 hours of placing your order. If you order from an Optimum physical store, you'll be able to bring the equipment home on the same day.
Knowing the costs and features, you might be wondering...
Is Optimum worth it?
Optimum is worth it if your job or your day-to-day looks like you need a high Mbps and a lot of data.
For example, you could be a gamer or often find yourself in video conferences. You might also belong in a large household where everyone needs to be connected to the internet.
Additionally, Optimum's speeds are fast and go up to 8 Gbps. Plus, there are no data caps so you can perform data-heavy activities without worrying about penalties.
That said, there are plans suitable for you even if you live alone or don't use the internet heavily. You can get cheaper plans at 100 to 200 Mbps, and still not experience buffering or laggy issues.
Ready to get started? Here's how you can order a plan.
How to Place an Order From Optimum
To purchase a plan from Optimum:
- Go to the Optimum website
- On the website's homepage input your address then click "Check Availability"
- Select the internet service of your choice, then click continue
- Pick the internet equipment you need, then click continue
- Create your account
- Choose the date when you would like the service to be installed
- Click "Place Order"
Optimum doesn't specify how many devices are ideal. But with 10 connections, you may start to experience buffering issues.
If you end up changing your mind, you can easily cancel your Optimum subscription.
How to Cancel an Optimum Subscription
Optimum doesn't have a term contract so you can cancel at any time without having to pay a penalty.
First, prepare your account number and 4-digit access code. Then call Optimum at:
- 718-860-3514 if you're from NY: Bronx, Brooklyn, Westchester
- 631-393-0637 if you're from Long Island
- 973-230-6048 if you're from New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- 203-870-2528 if you're from Connecticut
- 877-491-0050 if you're from North Carolina
- 877-694-9474 if you're from anywhere else
Still not sure if you can trust Optimum Internet? Check out what other Optimum users are saying about their experience.
Customer Reviews
Optimum has mixed customer reviews, but it leans toward poor reviews. The most common complaints are about:
- Bad customer service
- Internet being slower than the advertised speed
- A ton of unnecessary/unadvertised fees are being paid
Here's what Joseph had to say:
But there are also a few good reviews that applaud Optimum for their swift customer service.
Check out what Amy had to say about it:
Of course, your experience may be different from these reviews. So just use these reviews as a word of caution to allow you to be more vigilant when handling potential problems.
Customer Service
If your internet isn't working properly or you have any questions, you can call the customer support line at:
- Nassau-Suffolk Counties, NY: 631-393-0637
- Bronx - Brooklyn-Westchester, NY: 718-860-3514
- New Jersey - Pennsylvania: 973-230-6048
- Connecticut: 203-870-2583
- Hendersonville-West Jefferson, NC: 877-491-0050
- All other areas: 877-694-9474
Still unsure if Optimum is the right fit for your needs? You can always check out other internet providers and compare. Read on.
How Optimum Compares
Optimum vs. Spectrum
| Optimum | Spectrum | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Up to 8 Gbps | Up to 1 Gbps |
| Data Offered | No data caps | No data caps |
| Plans Offered | Starts at $40/mo for 12 months | Starts at $50/mo for 12 months |
Spectrum offers significantly fewer internet plans compared to Optimum. So if you're looking to get higher Gbps, then Optimum has more to offer.
Also, better to choose Optimum if you're on a budget given that its prices are cheaper. Plus, if you're looking for a fiber internet plan for faster upload speeds, Optimum is definitely the way to go.
That said, Spectrum is the better option in terms of customer service reviews and reliability. So it can be the better choice if you're okay with the pricier fees.
Additionally, Spectrum is available in nearly twice as many states as Optimum.
Optimum vs. Xfinity
| Optimum | Xfinity | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Up to 8 Gbps | Up to 10 Gbps |
| Data Offered | No data caps | 1.2 TB |
| Plans Offered | Starts at $40/mo for 12 months | Starts at $19.99/mo for 12 months |
Both Xfinity and Optimum offer a wide range of plans, with Xfinity beating Optimum with a speed of 10 Gbps. Both offer competitive pricing, with Xfinity being cheaper in some locations.
That said, you're better off with Optimum if you're heavy on data usage since it offers unlimited data. Xfinity has a data cap, although it's pretty high at 1.2 TB.
Additionally, Xfinity is available in double the number of locations Optimum is available in. So if you can't access Optimum, try Xfinity.
Unfortunately, both have been criticized for bad customer service, slower than advertised internet speeds, and overcharging.
Bottom Line
Optimum is a great choice if you're looking for internet on a budget. They offer tons of plans at an affordable price.
The most affordable option is Optimum Advantage Internet, which costs $14.99/mo (has eligibility requirements), with a speed of up to 50 Mbps. But if you want the fastest option (up to 8 Gbps), you can go for 8 Gig Fiber Internet for $280 to $300/mo.
That said, Optimum's customer reviews aren't the best. Clients touch on being overcharged, experiencing bad customer service, or having unreliable connection. If any of these issues concern you, maybe it's best to look elsewhere.
References
- ^ Optimum. All Service Areas, Retrieved 06/09/2024
- ^ Optimum. Optimum Advantage Internet, Retrieved 06/09/2024
- ^ Optimum. Pricing and Packages, Retrieved 06/09/2024
- ^ Optimum. Optimum Complete (Internet + Mobile), Retrieved 06/09/2024
Write to Katarina Rodriguez at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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