Optimum Internet: Plans, Prices, and Reviews

While looking for internet providers in your area, you may have come across Optimum internet plans. The internet provider is a subsidiary of New York City-based Altice USA, Inc. Altice serves more than 4.9 million customers in 21 states, providing cable television, internet, and telephone services.

Optimum internet plans and prices

If you’re interested in an internet-only plan, know that Optimum internet price varies depending on the speed level you choose. Your upload speed will also depend on whether you have access to Optimum’s fiber internet, which provides symmetrical download and upload speeds.

Other Optimum internet features

While Optimum’s availability is limited, those who can get service have access to a variety of useful and convenient features, including:

• Hotspots: Optimum customers, both new and existing, can access the internet from more than 1.5 million hotspots. These Wi-Fi access points are located at restaurants, cafes, hotels, train stations, parks, and other locations.
• Internet protection: Optimum provides free tools to help secure your network. Customers have access to free internet protection software from McAfee.
• Smart router: Optimum provides a free smart router when you sign up for an internet plan. With the Smart Router, it’s possible to keep your network secure and update your router settings from any location.

Price increases

Optimum doesn’t say exactly how much your price will increase in the second year, just that “Pricing, offers, and terms subject to change and discontinuance w/o notice.” That said, price increases with Optimum have been known to be significant. If you choose an internet plan with a five-year price lock, your price won’t increase until that period is over. Because Optimum doesn’t require a contract, you can still cancel at any time.

Optimum internet speed

According to the FCC’s latest data report, Optimum provides slightly more than their advertised download speeds and slightly less than advertised upload speeds. They also noted that Optimum’s speeds were “very consistent” — even during peak internet hours.

Optimum also fell in the middle of the pack in Ookla’s speed test data, with 191 Mbps download speeds and 30 Mbps upload speeds on average.

Optimum reviews

Optimum Internet is generally well-rated by third-party consumer review sites, but — like many other companies in the cable/TV/internet industry — it’s prone to low aggregate ratings from user-submitted reviews.

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Optimum’s internet service scores 63/100, which on the low side among all providers.

Optimum has an average 3.4/5 review from users of ConsumerAffairs.org. Negative reviews highlight billing issues and installation problems, while positive reviews praise the speed, affordability, and installation process.

How does Optimum compare?

Optimum stacks up pretty well against other internet providers — but only while the promotional pricing lasts. After that, you’re likely to pay far more than you would with competitors.

Our take

Depending on where you live, Optimum offers some excellent internet packages at affordable prices, but you may get hit with some steep price hikes after your promotional period ends. That said, the speeds on even Optimum’s cheapest plans should be plenty for most households.

Ashlee Tilford contributed to this post.