AT&T vs. Optimum: Which One Should You Choose?

When it comes to reliable internet services in America, AT&T and Optimum definitely make the top choices for residents. Both providers power millions of American households with quality internet, TV, and other services. AT&T Fiber plans are powerful and deliver symmetrical lightning-fast speeds, while Optimum cable is a widely available high-speed wired connection, offering unlimited data with strong connectivity in virtually all of its service locations.

So, how do you make the right choice when both of these options are available at your address? We’ve conducted thorough research on the services, coverage, and pricing of both providers to help you make the right decision!

Pricing and Plans: Optimum vs AT&T

AT&T and Optimum’s reach intersects across 12 out of 21 of their service states. If you have both options available at your address and are looking for speeds between 300 Mbps to 500 Mbps, we recommend signing up for Optimum immediately. It’s less costly than AT&T Fiber mid-tier plans and much faster than AT&T hybrid-DSL connection.

On the other hand, AT&T’s Gig-level tier provides better value through symmetrical upload speeds and a price-lock guarantee. However, both internet services come with lots of perks that most potential subscribers look for and may leave you in a dilemma when given the choice between the two.

AT&T Internet Plans

AT&T Internet plans will deliver the fastest speed depending on the capability of its hybrid-DSL network at your location for as low as $55/month. On the other hand, AT&T Fiber internet allows multiple devices to stream, work, play, and browse at the same time without any interruptions with symmetrical internet speeds, unlimited internet data, and unbelievably high bandwidth.

Though AT&T Fiber plans may seem costly at a glance, they’re much more competitively priced as there are no price hikes, no equipment fees, no data overage fees, and no annual contracts.

For your convenience, we’ve listed down all AT&T internet plans with their prices and internet speeds.

Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans & prices in your area, call 855-925-2541

Optimum Internet Plans

Optimum mainly offers cable internet, more specifically a hybrid of cable and fiber across its 21 service states. Its hybrid fiber-coaxial network can deliver speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to up to 1 Gig.

As for Optimum Fiber internet, the availability of it is still limited, only managing to reach around 1.9 million U.S. residents in the last quarter of 2022. In parts of the Tri-State area, the fiber speeds go as high as 5 Gig. However, the multi-gig speed roll-out is set to progress more and encompass all Optimum Fiber service areas in 2023.

Optimum is not very forthright about its regular rates after the promo period. Customers are usually notified near the expiration of their promo prices about upcoming price increases to their internet bill. What exactly is that price increase only Optimum could tell. Fortunately, the provider doesn’t bind you with any contracts, so you may easily switch to a different provider if the price hikes are too much.

Check out Optimum internet plans and pricing below:

Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans & prices in your area, call 844-520-8978

Bundles & Deals

AT&T and Optimum both allow their subscribers to save a ton of money on essential household services like internet, TV, and home phone. Optimum offers contract-free bundles and top-tier internet, phone, and TV bundles with premium networks for hours of entertainment and tons of perks!

Meanwhile, AT&T Internet can be paired up with DIRECTV Satellite or DIRECTV Stream. You also have the option to bundle AT&T internet service with a digital home phone or AT&T Wireless.

AT&T Bundles

Moreover, you also get the option to pair up your AT&T home internet connection with AT&T Wireless service that is available in almost the entire nation. The AT&T home phone service is also an option if you want a well-rounded communications solution at a discounted rate!

Optimum Bundles

Optimum bundles or ‘Optimum FlexAbility’ packages – as its name suggests – let you choose the service you want and create a bundle that is perfectly tailored to your needs and budget. Add the Optimum Mobile data plan of your choice, choose between live TV or streaming, and get an internet speed that works best for you. Plus, you can get a 30-day money-back guarantee with Optimum Internet and TV, and access Optimum TV on the go with the TV to Go service. You have complete control at friendly pricing with Optimum FlexAbility.

Additional Fees, Installation, and Contracts

You don’t have to worry about getting hit with an early termination fee (ETF) with either of these providers. AT&T offers internet plans on a month-to-month basis and the same is the case with Optimum, which goes even further by offering its subscribers a 30-day money-back guarantee!

AT&T Additional Fees

Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans & prices in your area, call 855-925-2541

Optimum Additional Fees

Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans & prices in your area, call 844-520-8978

Equipment & Extra Fees

Optimum charges $10 a month as a rental fee while AT&T provides the modem/router gateway device for free with its internet plans. However, both providers impose a penalty if you fail to return their equipment on time or damage it. While AT&T may charge up to $150 in fine, Optimum charges $100 for each modem and $80 for a router in case of damages or non-return.

Installation

Optimum internet installation is free if you order online. However, if that doesn’t apply to you, then check out its 2 types of installation services — Standard for $99 and Premium for $149. The former covers the setup of a single wireless device and 2 outlets, while the latter covers the installation of a single wired device, and 3 outlets, and sets up Wi-Fi configuration of up to 6 devices. In some areas though, Optimum only offers Premium Fiber installation, and that too for $200. On the other hand, AT&T charges up to $99 for professional installation.

As for self-install kits, regardless of the provider, you can only opt for self-install and do away with the hefty installation fee if your home already has up-to-date wiring compatible with your new internet connection. Otherwise, you’ll need technicians who’ll lay down cables and connect your home to the provider’s network infrastructure.

Contracts

Optimum and AT&T internet plans are contract-free, giving users the freedom and flexibility to cancel their subscriptions whenever they want. However, Optimum internet prices are based on promo-period pricing, therefore, after the 12-month term ends you will be charged the regular price. The regular price often sees a significant hike. You can enjoy all essential connectivity and entertainment services at a fixed price for the first year.

Data Allowance

AT&T Internet offers its subscribers a generous data allowance for smooth streaming, browsing, and gaming for the entire month. AT&T’s fixed wireless connection comes with a limited data allowance of 350 GB/mo. and the hybrid-DSL broadband with speeds under 100 Mbps comes with a 1 TB data allowance every month, while AT&T Internet 100 and AT&T Fiber plans come with an unlimited data allowance. AT&T charges an overage fee of $10 for every 50 GB of excess data you use.

Meanwhile, Optimum internet plans allow consumers the use of unlimited data without any fear of data overage fees.

Coverage Area

AT&T Coverage Area

AT&T's hybrid-DSL network is spread across almost 90% of its service areas. Meanwhile, AT&T Fiber Coverage increased to around 37% in 2022, covering 18 million customer locations across 100+ U.S. metros. Lastly, the AT&T Fixed Wireless network, though popular in rural areas, has limited overall coverage.

The AT&T Internet availability is straightforward. Its coverage states include the following:

Optimum Coverage Area

Optimum internet is the 4th largest cable provider in the US, with services available to approx. 8.2 million residents across 21 US states with its powerful hybrid fiber-coaxial network. However, approx. 1.9 million residents in its service states, most specifically can access Optimum fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service, which the provider is planning to expand in more of its territories in 2023.

Optimum provides its services in the following states:

Final Words

AT&T and Optimum offer fast and reliable internet access in major cities of the US, and their coverage overlaps across 21 states. So if you’re looking for a reliable internet service provider in any of the abovementioned states, checking out AT&T and Optimum internet plans might not be a bad idea. If you’re able to get Optimum plans at your address, then go for it if you’re able to get promo rates. Optimum will not impose any data caps on any of the various internet plans you might subscribe to. It also does not bind you to any annual contracts.

But if you’d prefer fiber internet speeds and don’t want to deal with surprisingly high price hikes once the promotional period ends, consider signing up for AT&T Fiber plans. AT&T Fiber plans come with a bunch of perks and features, such as no contract requirements, free equipment with all plans, and unlimited data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Optimum internet the same as AT&T?

AT&T delivers a hybrid-DSL connection that utilizes multiple technologies including ADSL2+, VDSL2, Ethernet, and G.Fast. These technologies work together to deliver significantly faster speeds than traditional DSL. Meanwhile, Optimum internet uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network to deliver high-speed internet. However, both providers are similar when it comes to their 100% fiber-optic networks, whose availability is limited compared to their respective hybrid networks.

Is Optimum cheaper than AT&T?

Optimum's lowest-priced plan starts at $40 per month and delivers up to 300 Mbps, but the price increases once the first year ends. While AT&T Fiber's cheapest plan delivers up to 300 Mbps of symmetrical speeds for only $55. Optimum charges $10 every month for equipment, while AT&T offers the equipment as part of the plan for free. Therefore, making AT&T Fiber plans cheaper than Optimum internet plans.

Is AT&T or Optimum better for you?

Our brief guide puts Optimum vs AT&T and runs a thorough comparison of their services, plans, prices, coverage area, and much more. You should evaluate your internet requirements and usage, and then pick the provider that best meets your needs. Call 855-349-9328 to learn more or to subscribe.

Is AT&T or Optimum Internet faster?

AT&T and Optimum both provide gig-speed plans with up to 1,000 Mbps of download speeds. However, AT&T offers symmetrical internet speeds for its fiber plans at a much more straightforward price.

Which is better DirecTV or Optimum?

DirecTV promises excellent customer service, robust channel lineups, and a ton of perks, including powerful DVR storage, but at higher prices. Its plans start at $64.99/mo., and require a long-term agreement as well. Optimum cable TV provides the best value when it's bundled with Optimum Internet; the bundled plans start at $115/mo.

Does AT&T or Optimum have faster upload speeds?

AT&T Fiber plans offer symmetrical internet speeds as fast as 5000 Mbps, which means that you'll get the same upload speeds as the download ones. Optimum plans are limited to 1000 Mbps and offer lower upload speeds due to their hybrid fiber-cable connection. Its Fiber 5 Gig speeds are currently available in parts of Tri-State areas, and are being rolled out at more locations.