Top Optimum internet plans
- Best for speed1 Gig Internet
- $80.00/mo.*†
- Cable or fiber
- Up to 940 Mbps
- Best for budgets300 Mbps Internet
- $40.00/mo.*†
- Cable or fiber
- Up to 300 Mbps
* w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
† w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
Optimum internet plans
| Package | Price | Speed | Type | Buy now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps Internet | $40.00/mo.*† | Up to 300 Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Optimum Plans |
| 500 Mbps Internet | $60.00/mo.*† | Up to 500 Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Optimum Plans |
| 1 Gig Internet | $80.00/mo.*† | Up to 940 Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Optimum Plans |
| 2 Gig Internet | $100.00/mo.* | Up to 2,000 Mbps | Fiber | Shop Optimum Plans |
| 5 Gig Internet | $180.00/mo.* | Up to 5,000 Mbps | Fiber | Shop Optimum Plans |
* w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
† w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
The type of internet connection you can get depends on where you live. Optimum offers mostly cable internet across the US—from California to Texas to North Carolina to New York.
Optimum has some fiber too, generally in the New York tri-state area and other gigabit-capable areas formerly managed under the Suddenlink brand. Altice USA, Optimum’s parent company, plans to have 6.5 million fiber connections across the US by 2025.1
Best Optimum internet deals
Sign up for a qualifying internet plan with 500 Mbps speeds or faster to get a $100, $200 or $300 Visa prepaid card. You also get installation and equipment at no extra charge and you have no annual contract.
Get the DealOptimum internet and TV bundles
Best overall
1 Gig Internet + Core TV
Price: $155.00/mo.*†
Channels: 220+ channels
Speed: Up to 940 Mbps
- Cable or fiber
Best for budgets
300 Mbps Internet + Core TV
Price: $115.00/mo.*
Channels: 220+ channels
Speed: Up to 300 Mbps
- Fiber internet only
Best for speed
1 Gig Internet + Premier TV
Price: $195.00/mo.*†
Channels: 420+ channels
Speed: Up to 940 Mbps
- Cable or fiber
* w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
† w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
Optimum has four internet and TV bundles that pair its 300 Mbps and 940 Mbps plans with its Core TV and Premier TV services. The 300 Mbps + Core TV bundle is the only one that’s exclusive to fiber. There are no bundles with Optimum’s newer 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps connections.
The bundle prices don’t include equipment fees, add-on standard or premium channels, or Optimum’s TV broadcast fee ($9.99 per month). The installation costs are rather high too, priced at $99.00 for a standard install and $149.99 for a premium install.
About Optimum
Optimum is a cable and fiber internet service provider owned by Altice USA. It covers internet, TV, and VoIP phone services throughout the US. Though most of its internet is cable with speeds up to 940 Mbps, it also offers some fiber, mainly in the New York tri-state area. Its 5 Gbps plan is now available in select locations on Long Island.
Why choose Optimum for internet service?
Optimum cable internet is ideal if you live in an area where you can’t get fiber and want faster speeds than DSL. Its fastest cable internet plan reaches download speeds up to 940 Mbps, but there are two slower (and cheaper) options if you don’t need a gigabit connection. We suggest Optimum’s fiber internet if you can get it, which is the same price as its cable plans but has equal upload and download speeds and better reliability.
Pros:
- Fast fiber in some areas
- No data caps
- No contracts
Cons:
- Steep price hikes after a year
- Limited fiber availability
- Equipment fees
How does Optimum compare against competitors?
Verizon Fios, Xfinity, and Spectrum are Optimum’s biggest competitors. Its introductory prices are incredibly cheap—$40.00 per month for up to 300 Mbps, for example. For context, the 300 Mbps plan offered by Spectrum costs $50 per month and the 400 Mbps plan offered by Xfinity costs $55 per month for the first 12 months—about a $10 difference.
But all that changes when the promotional pricing ends. Optimum has the highest post-promo prices in the group, and it shows in our latest customer satisfaction survey. Optimum ranks at the very bottom in price satisfaction, even when we factor in Suddenlink. In fact, it ranks at the very bottom in customer service and overall satisfaction too. Its highest rankings are in speed and reliability satisfaction, but it still falls far behind the competition.
FAQ about Optimum
Where does Optimum have cable internet?
Optimum now offers cable internet and TV services in 21 states, 17 of which Altice managed under the Suddenlink brand until August 2022.
Where does Optimum have fiber internet?
Optimum mainly provides fiber internet in the New York tri-state area, with speeds up to 5 Gbps in select areas on Long Island. Optimum also has fiber in gigabit-capable markets—Dallas (TX) and Charleston (WV), for example—previously managed under the Suddenlink brand.
What happened to Suddenlink?
Parent company Altice USA rebranded the Suddenlink network as Optimum to better unify it with Altice’s existing Optimum cable and fiber internet network in the New York tri-state area. The move is similar to how Charter Communications combined the Charter Cable, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House networks under a unified Spectrum brand. Altice USA originally intended to rebrand Suddenlink after its acquisition in 2017.
What is Altice One?
Altice One is a device that combines a modem, router, and TV receiver into one device. It costs $20 per month to rent, and each Mini extender unit costs an additional $10 per month. It includes a voice-activated remote, an integrated DVR, and support for media streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
What is Optimum Stream?
Optimum Stream is an Android-based media streaming device you can lease from Optimum for $5 per month (it’s free for 1 Gig customers). You can download and install your favorite apps and services from Google Play: including Netflix, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more. Plus, the Optimum Stream app offers more than 50 free streaming channels.3
What is Optimum Xtend?
Optimum Xtend is a Wi-Fi extender that pairs with Optimum’s Smart Wi-Fi 6 wireless gateway. It enables better whole-home coverage and doesn’t require a separate Wi-Fi login. Each Xtend unit costs $3 per month.
What is Optimum Amplify?
Optimum Amplify is a smart speaker designed by Devialet Technologies. It includes three full-range drivers, two diamond woofers, and a dynamic sound processor to fill your room with the best audio experience. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa for controlling your Altice One and delivering tunes from your favorite services like Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music. It costs $15 per month.
Sources
- Altice USA, “Altice USA Announces Acceleration in Fiber Deployment Strategy; Announces Multi-Year Plan to Bring 100% Fiber Broadband to More Than 6.5 Million Passings Across the Optimum and Suddenlink Footprint,” February 16, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2022.
- Altice USA, “Altice USA to Acquire Morris Broadband,” March 1, 2021. Accessed March 29, 2022.
- Optimum, “Stream Live TV,” Accessed March 29, 2022.