Optimum Internet Plans, Prices & Deals
Optimum is a cable and fiber internet provider with TV, mobile and home phone services available for bundling. Speeds range from 300 to 8,000 Mbps, with no contracts required.
Optimum Internet Review 2026
Last updated: June 2026 · Verified plans & pricing
⚡ TL;DR — Key Takeaways
- Among the lowest-priced fiber internet — Optimum Fiber 1 Gig starts at just $45/mo
- Up to 8 Gbps fiber — one of the fastest residential tiers available from any US provider
- No annual contracts on fiber or cable internet plans — cancel anytime
- Serving the Northeast — NY, NJ, CT, PA and select other markets
Optimum (part of Altice USA) is a major ISP serving the Northeast US, offering both fiber-optic and cable internet. Optimum's fiber plans are among the most aggressively priced in the country — with symmetrical gigabit speeds starting at just $45/mo and multi-gig tiers up to 8 Gbps. In cable markets, Optimum delivers fast download speeds at equally competitive prices.
Optimum Fiber delivers pure fiber-optic internet with symmetrical speeds — same fast upload as download. No data caps, no contracts, and no equipment fees. Available where Optimum has deployed its fiber network.
Optimum Cable is available in areas where Optimum has not yet deployed fiber-optic infrastructure. Cable plans use HFC technology with fast download speeds but asymmetric upload (lower upload vs. download). Where fiber is available, Optimum Fiber is the recommended choice for better upload performance.
| Plan | Type | Download | Upload | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable 200 | Cable | 200 Mbps | 20 Mbps | $25/mo |
| Cable 500 | Cable | 500 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $35/mo |
| Cable 1 Gig | Cable | 1,000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $45/mo |
| Fiber 1 Gig | Fiber | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | $45/mo |
Optimum is known for straightforward, all-inclusive pricing. Here's a complete breakdown of what's included and what you may pay:
📊 Sample Monthly Bill — Optimum Fiber 1 Gig
Plan rate: $45.00/mo
- Equipment (router/modem): $0.00 (included in plan)
- Data overage: $0.00 (no caps)
- Early termination fee: $0.00 (no contract)
- Federal/state taxes: varies by location (~$3–8)
Optimum Affordable Internet Programs
Optimum participates in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and offers its own low-income internet program for qualifying households. Given Optimum's already low base prices, ACP benefits bring Optimum internet to some of the most affordable rates of any major provider.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Qualifying households receive a $30/mo federal benefit toward Optimum internet service. Combined with Optimum's base pricing, ACP brings the Fiber 200 or Cable 200 plan ($25/mo) to $0/mo — truly free broadband for eligible customers, with no strings attached beyond maintaining ACP eligibility. The Fiber 1 Gig plan would drop to just $15/mo with ACP.
- Apply for the ACP benefit at affordableconnectivity.gov and receive your approval confirmation
- Call Optimum at (978) 723-5746 and provide your ACP benefit application ID when signing up
- Optimum applies the $30/mo credit starting on your first or second billing cycle
- Recertify ACP eligibility annually at the NV2 portal to maintain the ongoing benefit
Optimum Business Fiber
Optimum Business Fiber provides dedicated fiber-optic internet for small and medium businesses in its service area. Business plans include static IP addresses, SLA-backed uptime guarantees, and dedicated business support lines — with symmetrical speeds matching residential fiber plans.
💼 Business Fiber 500
500 Mbps symmetric fiber for small businesses. Supports cloud-hosted tools, VoIP, video conferencing, and POS systems for teams of up to 25 employees. Includes one static IP address and 99.9% uptime SLA. Installation is professional and typically faster than residential due to dedicated business scheduling.
Custom pricing · Call (978) 723-5746🚀 Business Fiber 1 Gig
Symmetrical 1 Gbps fiber for growing businesses with 25–100+ users. Handles all cloud workloads, high-definition video conferencing, large file transfers, and multi-site VPN connections. Includes multiple static IPs, enhanced SLA, priority support, and a dedicated account manager available on business accounts.
Custom pricing · Call (978) 723-5746🌐 Business Fiber 2 Gig+
2 Gbps and higher fiber tiers for data-intensive business operations — server hosting, large-scale cloud environments, medical imaging, and architectural design workflows. Optimum's multi-gig business plans are available in select markets where XGS-PON fiber infrastructure is deployed. Contact for enterprise pricing and SLA terms.
Enterprise pricing · Call for quoteCall Optimum Business at (978) 723-5746 to get a custom quote, check fiber availability at your business address, and discuss bundled phone and TV options for commercial spaces.
Optimum Internet Deals & Promotions 2026
Optimum's pricing is already among the lowest for fiber internet in the U.S. — and the deals below make it even more compelling. Call (978) 723-5746 to confirm current offers at your address.
📦 Equipment Included Free on All Plans
Optimum includes a Wi-Fi router (or Altice One gateway on bundle plans) at no monthly rental fee on all internet plans. This is a significant saving vs. competitors who charge $10–15/mo for equipment: Xfinity charges $15/mo, AT&T charges $10/mo. Over 24 months, Optimum saves you $240–$360 in equipment costs vs. comparable cable or fiber ISPs. The included router supports Wi-Fi 6 on fiber plans for fast whole-home wireless coverage. Call (978) 723-5746 to confirm included equipment at your address.
💲 ACP — Optimum Internet for $0/mo
Qualifying ACP households can apply a $30/mo federal credit to any Optimum plan. Because Optimum Cable 200 and Fiber 300 plans start at $25/mo, ACP-eligible customers can get Optimum internet completely free — a $0/mo effective rate on entry plans. The Fiber 1 Gig plan drops from $45/mo to just $15/mo with ACP. Apply at affordableconnectivity.gov then call (978) 723-5746 to activate the discount.
🔁 Optimum Advantage — Low-Income Program
Optimum's own Optimum Advantage program offers subsidized internet to qualifying low-income households, independent of ACP. Program includes broadband internet at reduced rates for households meeting income requirements. Call (978) 723-5746 to ask about Optimum Advantage eligibility and current program rates in your area.
Optimum Internet Review: Pros, Cons & Verdict
Optimum punches above its weight for a regional ISP — particularly on price. Here's our full assessment of where it excels and where Verizon Fios still has the edge.
What we like
- Aggressively low fiber pricing — Fiber 1 Gig at $45/mo is among the cheapest in the U.S.
- Equipment included free — no monthly router rental fee
- No data caps on any plan
- No annual contracts — cancel any time
- 8 Gig residential tier available ($120/mo) — fastest consumer plan of any U.S. ISP
- ACP credit can reduce entry plans to $0/mo for eligible households
- Symmetrical fiber speeds where fiber is deployed
What we don't like
- Limited geographic coverage — primarily Northeast US and select Suddenlink markets
- Fiber not available at all Optimum addresses — some areas still on cable
- Customer satisfaction scores below Verizon Fios — billing issues reported
- Pricing can increase after promotional period — confirm long-term rate when ordering
- Cable upload speeds are low (20–50 Mbps) in areas without fiber
Where Optimum Fiber is available, it offers extraordinary value — symmetrical gigabit for $45/mo with equipment included is genuinely hard to beat. The 4.2 rating reflects solid performance with a slight deduction for customer service inconsistency and the geographic limitation. In markets where both Optimum Fiber and Verizon Fios are available, Optimum's lower price makes it the default recommendation for budget-conscious customers. Call (978) 723-5746 to check fiber availability at your address.
Optimum Internet + TV Bundle Options
Optimum offers TV and phone service alongside internet — making it one of the few providers in the Northeast where you can bundle all three services under one bill.
📺 Optimum TV + Internet Bundle
Optimum TV packages can be bundled with any Optimum internet plan. The Altice One device combines your internet router and cable TV box into a single unit, reducing cable clutter. TV packages include local channels, news, sports, and on-demand content. Bundling internet and TV with Optimum typically saves $10–20/mo compared to buying each separately. Call (978) 723-5746 to get current TV bundle pricing and channel lineups at your address.
📞 Optimum Voice (Home Phone)
Optimum offers VoIP home phone service as an add-on or as part of a triple-play bundle (internet + TV + phone). Optimum Voice includes unlimited local and long-distance calling within the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, plus caller ID, voicemail, and call waiting. Triple-play bundles can offer additional savings over individual service pricing.
📺 Cord-Cutter Alternative
For customers who prefer streaming over cable TV, Optimum's fast fiber internet is an ideal base for a cord-cutting setup. Pair Optimum Fiber 1 Gig ($45/mo) with YouTube TV ($72.99/mo) or Hulu + Live TV ($82.99/mo) for a no-contract TV experience. No data caps means unlimited streaming without overage concerns.
Optimum vs. Verizon Fios, Spectrum, Xfinity & AT&T Fiber
Optimum's primary competitors vary by market — Verizon Fios in the Northeast, Spectrum in overlapping cable markets, and Xfinity in select areas.
| Provider | Technology | 1 Gig Price | Equipment Fee | vs. Optimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum Fiber | Fiber (FTTH) | $45/mo | $0 | — |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber (FTTH) | $89.99/mo | $15/mo (router) | Fios costs nearly $60/mo more for gigabit fiber and adds a $15/mo router fee. Fios wins on customer satisfaction scores and long-term reliability reputation. Optimum wins decisively on price — for most households, the cost difference is the deciding factor. |
| Spectrum | Cable (HFC) | $90/mo (1 Gig) | $0 (modem) | Optimum Fiber wins on upload speed (1,000 Mbps vs. ~35 Mbps), price ($45 vs. $90), and no equipment fee on a like-for-like basis. Spectrum has broader availability across 41 states vs. Optimum's regional footprint. |
| Xfinity | Cable (HFC) | $70–80/mo (promo) | $15/mo | Optimum undercuts Xfinity on price and eliminates the equipment fee. Xfinity is available in far more markets. Optimum Fiber wins on upload speed and total cost of ownership. |
Pricing verified June 2026. Call (978) 723-5746 to confirm Optimum fiber availability at your specific address.
Optimum Internet Speed Test
Test your Optimum connection's download speed, upload speed, and latency below.
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Speed Test Widget
[EMBED: Reuse existing speed test tool from /internet-tools/internet-speed-test-at-your-address/]
On Optimum Fiber 1 Gig, wired Ethernet should deliver 900–1,000 Mbps download and upload. On Optimum Cable 1 Gig, expect ~1,000 Mbps download but only ~50 Mbps upload — this upload gap is the key reason to choose fiber over cable when both are available at your address. If speeds are significantly below your plan tier, restart your Altice One or Wi-Fi router, then retest over Ethernet before calling support at (978) 723-5746.
Where Is Optimum Internet Available?
Optimum (Altice USA) serves two distinct geographic footprints: its original Northeast markets (NY, NJ, CT, PA) and markets acquired from Suddenlink across other states. Fiber availability within those markets varies by neighborhood.
Optimum Primary Service Areas
- New York (Long Island, NYC boroughs, Hudson Valley)
- New Jersey (Northern/Central NJ)
- Connecticut (Fairfield County, Westchester)
- Pennsylvania (select areas)
- Texas (Suddenlink markets: Lubbock, Amarillo, Tyler)
- West Virginia (Suddenlink markets: Charleston, Huntington)
- Louisiana (Suddenlink markets: Shreveport, Monroe)
- Arkansas (Suddenlink markets)
- Arizona (Suddenlink markets: Yuma, Flagstaff)
- Idaho, Ohio, Missouri (select Suddenlink areas)
Fiber vs. Cable at Your Address
- Optimum is actively expanding fiber deployment within its existing service areas
- Some neighborhoods have fiber today; adjacent streets may still have cable only
- Check your specific address — not just your city — to confirm fiber vs. cable availability
- Fiber buildout is ongoing in Northeast markets through 2025–2026
Is Optimum Fiber at your address? Call (978) 723-5746 to confirm fiber or cable availability at your exact location.
Optimum Internet — Common Questions
Data sources: Availability from the FCC National Broadband Map (2025). Customer satisfaction from the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Residential ISP Satisfaction Study. Speed benchmarks from the Ookla Speedtest Global Index Q1 2025. Pricing verified June 2026.