Spanning 21 states, Optimum is one of the most competitively priced cable and fiber internet providers in the US. That being said, the advertised prices do come with some additional charges, including equipment fees, installation, etc.
Key Takeaways:
- Optimum Internet plans start at $30/mo. offering 300 Mbps
- Download speeds go as high as 8 Gbps
- Optimum offers both fiber and coax cable internet
- Optimum Internet services are available across 21 states
- 5-Year Price Lock option
This guide breaks down Optimum Internet plans and their entire cost so you know what you’re buying. Let’s check it out:
Optimum Internet Overview
| Category | Optimum’s Offer |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $35/mo. |
| Download Speed Up to | 300 Mbps – 8 Gbps |
| Data Caps | None |
| Contracts | None |
| Price Lock | 1 year |
| Installation Charges | $100 for Professional Installation |
| Equipment Fees | Free for 12 months - $14 afterward |
Optimum Internet Plans and Prices
While the fiber footprint is expanding gradually, most of Optimum’s internet plans are cable-based. However, choose fiber where available, as you can get symmetrical speeds (same download and upload), whereas upload speed is limited on cable internet. Let’s take a look at the Optimum Internet plans:
| Plan | Download Speed Up to | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps Internet | 300 Mbps | $30/mo.* | Order Now |
| 500 Mbps Internet | 500 Mbps | $40/mo.* | Order Now |
| 1 Gig Internet | 940 Mbps | $50/mo.* | Order Now |
| 2 Gig Internet | 2000 Mbps | $60/mo.* | Order Now |
| 8 Gig Internet | 8000 Mbps | $90/mo.* | Order Now |
*w/ elig. $10/mo. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill discount with Checking Account.
The upload speed is the same as the download speed for fiber plans, whereas it's capped (20 Mbps – 40 Mbps) for cable plans.
What Additional Fees Does Optimum Charge?
As highlighted earlier, the advertised fee doesn’t cover everything, and you need to know about the hidden charges for the service. Let’s take a look at them below:
Equipment Costs
When you subscribe to Optimum Internet service, you get a gateway (modem-router combo) included in your plan. However, it’s only free for the first 12 months. After that, Optimum typically charges up to $14/mo. rental fee.
Unless there’s a promo running or you buy your own equipment, Optimum includes this fee in your monthly bill.
For cable users, finding and buying a compatible gateway is fairly easy. However, users buying fiber internet from Optimum will need provider-issued equipment to avoid compatibility issues.
Installation Fees
While professional installation is recommended to get your internet set up smoothly, you can also choose to self-install. Buying internet service from Optimum, you get a free self-installation kit to DIY connection installation.
The professional installation, however, costs $100, where a technician sets up equipment and activates the service. This fee is waived for returning customers, new customers, or Optimum Bundle subscribers.
Taxes and Government Fees
Similar to other internet providers, Optimum’s advertised prices don’t reflect taxes and local government fees. These vary by state and municipality. Here’s a list of taxes and government fees that may be included in your next bill:
- Regulatory Recovery fee
- Universal Service Fund (USF) fee
- State and local sales tax
- Gross receipts taxes / State and local utility taxes
- State communications services tax
- Local communications services tax
Optional Add-On Costs
Beyond the advertised cost, installation and equipment fees, and government taxes, here’s a list of additional costs that can be included as ‘add-ons’ in your monthly bill.
| Add-On | Cost |
|---|---|
| WiFi Extender | $5/extender – up to 3 extenders |
| Late Payment | $10 (varies by state) |
| Service Restoration Fee | $10 - $20 (residential, varies by service) |
| TV broadcast fee | $9.99/mo |
| Regional Sports Network fee | $10.47/mo. |
| Cable box fees | $13.00/mo. |
| Additional outlet premium service fee | $1.50–$5.00/mo. |
| Network enhancement fee | $6.00/mo. |
In addition to these, any streaming service add-ons (HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, etc.) are billed separately according to their standard subscription price.
Also, there are no data caps; Optimum doesn’t charge for data overage. Learn more about internet data usage to avoid data overages .
Optimum Internet + TV Bundle Costs
Optimum customers can choose to bundle their internet with TV, earning discounts on the total bill. Let’s take a look at the bundles offered by Optimum:
| Internet + TV Packages | Max Download Speeds | Channel Count | Price* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps Internet + Entertainment TV | 300 Mbps | 70+ | $65/mo. | Get Bundle |
| 500 Mbps Internet + Entertainment TV | 500 Mbps | 70+ | $75/mo. | Get Bundle |
| 1 Gig Internet + Entertainment TV | 940 Mbps | 70+ | $85/mo. | Get Bundle |
| 1 Gig Internet + TV + Mobile | 940 Mbps | 70+ | $110/mo. | Get Bundle |
| 2 Gig Internet + Entertainment TV | 2000 Mbps | 70+ | $95/mo. | Get Bundle |
| 8 Gig Internet + Entertainment TV | 8000 Mbps | 70+ | $120/mo. | Get Bundle |
*w/ elig. $10/mo. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill discount with Checking Account.
Moreover, the newer streaming-based TV services are available to bundle subscribers. You can check out our guide to find out which Optimum bundle is right for you.
Which Optimum Plan Is Best for You?
Choosing the right internet provider is a hassle, but selecting one and picking the right tier is even more confusing. Not to worry, with the use-case table below, you can easily decide which Optimum Internet plan fits your household:
| Scenario | Optimum Internet Plan to Pick |
|---|---|
| One or two people, light browsing and streaming, everyday browsing, video calls, and social media. | Optimum 300 Mbps |
| A household of 3–5 users with multiple streaming devices, smart home gear, and remote work, simultaneous 4K streaming, video conferencing, and cloud backups without slowdowns. | Optimum 500 Mbps or Optimum 1 Gig |
| Gamers, large households, or anyone running a home office with heavy uploads, competitive gaming, large file transfers, and multiple people working from home at once. | Optimum 1 Gig Fiber internet with symmetrical speeds |
| Content creators, smart-home power users, or households with 10+ connected devices, livestreaming, large uploads, and multi-user 4K/8K workflows. | Optimum 2 Gig Fiber with symmetrical speeds |
| Tech enthusiasts and future-proofers, multi-gig home networks, servers, or anyone who wants the fastest tier available regardless of current need. | Optimum 8 Gig Fiber with symmetrical speeds |
How Does Optimum Compare with Other Providers?
| Provider | Cheapest Internet Plan | Connection Type | State Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
300 Mbps for $50/mo.1 For 12 months | Fiber | 21 | See Plans |
 |
300 Mbps for $45/mo.2 For 5 years | Hybrid Fiber-Coax Cable | 40+ | See Plans |
 |
100 Mbps for $30/mo.3 For 1 year | Hybrid Fiber-Coax Cable | 40+ | See Plans |
 |
100 Mbps for $30/mo. For 12 months with eBill | Fiber | 3 | See Plans |
1 Price + taxes & fees for new customers in select households after discounts w/ elig AutoPay & Paperless bill. Limited availability/areas. See Details
See Broadband Facts: www.att.com/dapbbfacts
^Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5 Gig, single device wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps.
2 With Autopay and Paperless Discount
For 60 month, no term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Incl. up to $10/mo. auto-pay & paperless bill discount. See Broadband Facts: https://www.xfinity.com/broadband-labels
3 See Offer Details for terms and conditions.
Final Verdict: Is Optimum Internet Worth the Cost?
The final decision rests in your hands, but we’ll assist you with our insights once again:
What’s Good?
- ✔ Competitive entry pricing
- ✔ 5-year price lock offer
- ✔ No data cap or contracts
- ✔ Fiber and cable connection type
- ✔ Symmetrical speeds with fiber
- ✔ Free self-installation option
What to Consider?
- ✔ Slow speeds on cable tier
- ✔ Equipment rental fee after 12 months
- ✔ Bundling requires mandatory internet
- ✔ Fiber’s footprint is still expanding
- ✔ Additional Fees are not always obvious
- ✔ Average customer service experience
Overall, Optimum Internet is a solid choice, especially its fiber internet tiers. You can weigh the 5-year price lock, bundling discounts, and symmetrical speeds to consider it as your internet choice. However, fiber is subject to availability; you can surely find cable internet alternatives .
Check out All Optimum Internet Plans or Call 8445208978 for Information
Check Optimum Availability Near You
Helpful Resources
How to lower Optimum Bill | Contact Optimum Customer Service
Optimum Internet Review - 1 Gig Plan
Optimum Payment Arrangement - An Ultimate Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
The cheapest standalone plan is Optimum 300, starting around $35/month (Plus taxes and fees. In select markets only) for up to 300 Mbps download speeds.
With the 1-year price lock feature, you can get an Optimum Internet plan with a fixed price for 12 months. However, some additional charges such as equipment fees, taxes, etc. may be added.
The difference in pricing is due to local infrastructure (cable vs. fiber availability), regional competition, state taxes, and market-specific promotions.
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Macy Davis is an SEO expert with a passion for content writing, enabling her to curate some of the most detailed and thorough guides for our readers. She has been working closely with Optimum, DIRECTV, AT&T, and has an eagerness to stay up-to-date with all recent activities. Macy is an ambitious writer and a staunch SEO analyst who focuses greatly on the quality of blog pieces, so they can provide all the information that our readers require. Her FAQ guides, troubleshooting guides, and internet review blogs have proved to be extremely helpful for subscribers in making informed choices for their home’s internet, TV, and phone needs.
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