Optimum by Altice primarily delivers its internet service via an advanced cable network, and in select areas it also offers Fiber-to-the-Home connections. Cable broadband from Optimum is delivered over a network that utilizes innovative technologies and Fiber in the Loop ― so downloads are as fast as 1 Gig
Across its nationwide footprint, Optimum offers a variety of standardized speed-based plans, but all include unlimited data and none requires you to sign an annual contract. Also there are perks such as internet equipment that comes included in the monthly service fee and free access to out-of-home Optimum WiFi hotspots. Take a look at the Optimum Internet plans below, and to get help with an upgrade call at 844-520-8978.
| Optimum Internet Plan | Max. Download/Upload Speed | Promo Price |
|---|---|---|
| Internet 300 | 300/20 Mbps |
$40/mo.
for 12 months plus taxes w/autopay & paperless billing |
| Internet 500 | 500/20 Mbps |
$60/mo.
for 12 months plus taxes w/autopay & paperless billing |
| Internet 1 GIG | 500/20 Mbps |
$80/mo.
for 12 months plus taxes w/autopay & paperless billing |
*Price after $5/mo autopay & paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas.
The Optimum Internet service covers over 12 million people across 5 states―New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, , Pennsylvania, and North Carolina ―with the most impressive footprint across multiple cities and towns in New York and New Jersey. While pure Fiber connections from Optimum are accessible in about 10% of its service locations, the 1 Gig service delivered over its hybrid Fiber-Coaxial network is widely accessible. Until Optimum rolls out its multi-gigabit offerings via its Fiber network, in select service locations to start with, the following boroughs and cities remain some of the fastest with access to Optimum 1 Gig.
| Brooklyn, New York | Bronx, New York | Bridgeport, Connecticut |
| Clifton, New Jersey | Edison, New Jersey | Elizabeth, New Jersey |
| Emerson, New Jersey | Hendersonville, North Carolina | Huntington Station, New York |
| Norwalk, Connecticut | New Rochelle, New York | Long Beach, New York |
| Newark, New Jersey | Lakewood, New Jersey | Paterson, New Jersey |
| Poughkeepsie, New York | Stamford, Connecticut | Trenton, New Jersey |
| Union City, New Jersey | Waldwick, New Jersey | White Plains, New York |
| Yonkers, New York | ||
The internet speed you need varies from one home to another, because it totally depends on the number of users and devices connected to the network, not to forget the type of online activities. So while the high-speed internet benchmark set by the FCC, i.e. 25/3 Mbps allows, for adequately fast downloads and uploads as far as standard home usage, it can turn out to be insufficient if the number of connected users exceeds a couple.
Get an idea of how fast an internet connection can work for your family depending on the number of users, and the kind of online activities you engage in.
| Internet Speed | No. of Supported Users |
|---|---|
| 25 Mbps | 1-2 |
| 100 Mbps | 3-4 |
| 200 Mbps | 4-5 |
| 500 Mbps | 5+ |
| 1,000 Mbps | 5+ |
| Everyday Online Activities | Minimum Download Speed Requirement |
|
1-5 Mbps |
|
5-25 Mbps |
|
40-100 Mbps |
|
200 Mbps |
up to 300 Mbps for downloads
Stream video in HD, enjoy online gaming, download large files, video chat, connect for work & virtual learning
up to 500 Mbps for downloads
Enjoy multiplayer gaming, stream video in 4K/UHD ― the entire family can connect for work, school & play!
up to 940 Mbps for downloads
Power all your devices in an ultra-connected home, enjoy VR to the fullest ― Optimum 1 GIG makes heavy streaming and competitive gaming a breeze!
An independent internet speed test can certainly give you a fair estimate of the speed of your connection, but the speed at any given time is affected by a myriad of factors, and these must be taken into account. This is the reason why it is recommended you run the test more than once, at different times of the day, and over a day or two ― and also pay heed to the following aspects so as to reach a more accurate conclusion.
The most standard trick to set technical glitches right!
Reboot your internet equipment and also the device you’ll be running the Optimum Internet speed test on. Let the hardware take a brief pause, get rid of any temporary bugs, and start afresh!
WiFi speeds cannot be as fast as wired. And if you’ve ever noticed, speed claims are usually accompanied by a disclaimer that says advertised speed estimates are based on a wired connection.
So when you run a speed test to compare with what you expect to receive, run it on a wired connection. Use the latest gen Ethernet cable (Cat5e, 6, 7 or 8) to connect your device to the modem directly.
Close down webpages and applications on your computer or another device(s) before you start the test ― including any music & video streaming platforms, software patch downloads, or file uploads.
Disconnect any devices not actively engaged in online tasks ― its preferable to not have devices idling on your home network as you run your Optimum speed test ― smartphones, TVs, tablets, and wireless cameras ― all fall in the category.
A good speed test should make the right pick automatically. But technology is vulnerable to imperfection. And often for rural locations, the wrong server gets picked. Beware of this and use the opportunity to pick the one closest to you.
Its best to clear your browser cache before you run a speed test ― especially if you’re doing it more than once. This way you’ll eliminate any chunky files left behind by the preceding test.
Optimum Internet plans come in various speed tiers bringing you 300, 500 and 940 Mbps for downloads. Call at 844-520-8978 to check which speed tiers are available for an upgrade at your address.
To check the speed of your Optimum Internet service, you can use a third-party speed test tool and get an unbiased assessment. Once you’ve run the test a couple of times, you can determine the average and compare it with the speed you expect to receive.
To check availability of Optimum Internet at your address, call at 844-520-8978 and speak to a representative of Optimum Customer Service.