Should it be AT&T versus Altice USA? Considering that Suddenlink will be transitioning to Optimum this year, Ive chosen to go with AT&T versus Optimum. Be conscious that on the Optimum side, Ill be consisting of the areas and locations that Suddenlink is currently servicing.Okay, with that developed, now that weve chosen to pit AT&T and Optimum home internet services against each other, what precisely are we comparing?
Sarah Tew/CNET.
Lets start with AT&Ts advantages over Optimum: greater overall schedule and a more extensive fiber network throughout its footprint. Presently, its offered to just over 17 million households compared with Optimums 1 million.As for the service itself, AT&T Fiber has no equipment cost and no data cap and requires no long-term contract. Lots of consumers within AT&Ts radius will just have access to its DSL service, which is inferior to the efficiency of cable television internet.
Read our AT&T home web evaluation
.
Sarah Tew/CNET.
Optimal goals to keep things easy with fast speeds and solid worth across its three main tiers– 300Mbps, 500Mbps and 1 gigabit. Like AT&T, it doesnt charge an additional devices rental charge, require a term contract or implement data caps. It also features fiber plans in some of its markets, though not as thoroughly as AT&T. When it comes to Optimums shortcomings, its promo costs stand for simply the first 12 months of service. After that point, your regular monthly fees will rise (and, in some cases, quite precipitously). Optimum falls well brief of AT&T relating to client fulfillment ratings– while AT&T is typically near the top in different studies, Optimum tends to fall near the extremely bottom.
Read our Optimum house internet review
AT&T Fixed Wireless.
AT&T vs. Optimum: Availability and protection mapThe coverage map for AT&T (orange) appears to overwhelm Optimums accessibility (in blue). While theres some overlap in between the 2, you can also see neither one blankets the country.
FCC/Mapbox.
At the top of the page, I mentioned that both AT&T and Optimum are available in 21 states across the US. AT&T, on the other hand, doesnt have to compete with Optimum in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.Where is there some crossover? AT&T includes DSL, fiber and repaired cordless alternatives, while Optimum offers cable and fiber strategies.
Information Cap.
Strategy.
Discount price (very first 12 months).
Regular monthly expense (after 12 months).
Devices cost.
AT&T plans and rates.
.
Max speeds.
25Mbps download, 1Mpbs upload.
$ 70.
$ 70.
None.
350GB.
AT&T Internet 10 (DSL).
10Mbps download, 1Mpbs upload.
$ 55.
None.
$ 70.
1TB.
AT&T Internet 18 (DSL).
18Mbps download, 1Mpbs upload.
$ 55.
None.
$ 70.
1TB.
AT&T Internet 25 (DSL).
25Mbps download, 2Mpbs upload.
$ 70.
$ 55.
None.
1TB.
AT&T Internet 50 (DSL).
50Mbps download, 10Mpbs upload.
$ 55.
$ 70.
None.
1TB.
AT&T Internet 100 (DSL).
100Mbps download, 20Mpbs upload.
None.
$ 55.
None.
$ 70.
AT&T Fiber – Internet 300.
300Mbps download, 300Mpbs upload.
AT&T Fiber – Internet 500.
None.
$ 55.
None.
$ 55.
500Mbps download, 500Mpbs upload.
AT&T Fiber – Internet 1000.
$ 65.
$ 65.
None.
None.
940Mbps download, 880Mpbs upload.
None.
None.
$ 80.
$ 80.
AT&T Fiber – Internet 2000.
2Gbps download, 2Gbps upload.
$ 110.
$ 110.
None.
AT&T Fiber – Internet 5000.
None.
5Gbps download, 5Gbps upload.
Starting regular monthly cost.
Month-to-month devices fee.
$ 180.
Max speeds.
Optimal 300.
Regular monthly rate (after 12 months).
$ 180.
None.
None.
Plan.
Maximum strategies and rates.
Contract.
Data cap.
300Mbps download, 20Mbps upload.
$ 40.
$ 110.
Fiber Optimum 300.
None.
None.
None.
300Mbps download, 300Mbps upload.
$ 40.
$ 110.
None.
Optimal 500.
None.
None.
500Mbps download, 20Mbps upload.
Fiber Optimum 500.
$ 130.
None.
None.
None.
$ 60.
500Mbps download, 500Mbps upload.
None.
$ 130.
None.
$ 60.
Optimum 1 Gig.
None.
940Mbps download, 35Mbps upload.
$ 80.
None.
$ 140.
None.
Fiber Optimum 1 Gig.
None.
940Mbps download, 940Mbps upload.
None.
None.
I can feel your pain if youre feeling info overload at the moment. Lets see what we can do to streamline things. All of Optimums offerings are much better than AT&Ts DSL and fixed cordless options. You improve download and upload speeds and will not have to handle limiting data caps. As soon as we start looking at the 300Mbps tiers and above, it ends up being a win for AT&T. Of all, fiber internet always outperforms cable television web connections. Fiber connections feature symmetrical download and upload speeds (cable web has much slower upload speeds than download speeds). Now, Optimum includes some fiber plans too. According to what a representative informed CNET previously, theyre readily available to just over a million consumers. However AT&T, out of its first-quarter reporting for 2022, states around 17 countless its customers are eligible for fiber. In addition, when it concerns cost, AT&T has the edge. While AT&T and Optimum are almost equivalent on starting costs for equivalent speed plans, AT&Ts price is the price. Theres no high jump after your very first year of service, as is hiding with Optimums plans. To be reasonable, lots of ISPs take the very same approach as Optimum and give you an alluring price out of eviction however bump up your bill quantity after 12 months. I value that AT&T takes a different method, and I believe your home budget will invite that predictability. AT&T vs. Optimum: Terms and feesLet me cut to the chase: Both AT&T and Optimum appear to intend to do right by their customers by reducing the extra charges and fees. Neither service provider requires a term agreement, so theres no worry of early termination costs. Lets take a peek at other terms and conditions you may come across. No monthly modem costs This is relatively recent news. At the start of 2022, both AT&T and Optimum charged an extra $10 monthly for equipment. Even worse, AT&T didnt give you a chance to avoid that cost by using your own equipment. Efficient immediately, both companies have actually trashed their previous charges and now consist of entrance devices (modem or router) in the regular monthly cost. Thats excellent news.One-time setup charge Optimum has the more affordable setup charge, which runs $59, but is consisted of if you order online. Likewise, AT&T will waive its installation charge– a higher, $99 cost– if customers order online.No information caps to fear, for the most part All Optimum customers get unrestricted information with all strategies. That removes any fret about possible data excess fees or throttling issues to prevent the performance of your broadband connection. The very same can be stated with most AT&T plans, except the DSL and fixed wireless options. Those are still strained with information caps, sadly. Clients will be charged an extra $10 for each extra 50GB of data used monthly, up to $100 each month (or $200 per month for fixed wireless clients). Chalk this one up as a win for Optimum.HBO Max plays a part in both companies promo packages, though AT&Ts fastest tiers give you the banner for complimentary for as long as you have your strategy.
Sarah Tew/CNET.
AT&T vs. Optimum: Perks and promosBoth Optimum and AT&T use some luring discounts to attempt to lure possible clients. AT&T also comes strong with the advantages. To begin, clients who sign up online will get a $150 AT&T Visa Reward Card.
American Customer Satisfaction Index.
AT&T vs. Optimum on consumer complete satisfaction– its not even closeLets start here: ISPs are dead last amongst all markets for customer satisfaction. Within that context, AT&T fares rather well within the classification, while Optimum has some work to do. AT&T appeared near the top of the charts in JD Powers 2021 US Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study. It shone brightly in two areas– the North Central and South– and had an average rating of 738 out of 1,000 possible points. Optimum was second-to-last in the East region with 655 points, which was well below the total average of 714. It fared even worse in the South (under the banner of Suddenlink), where it amassed just 621 points. Over at the American Customer Satisfaction Index, the most recent metrics show AT&T in third location, with 69 out of 100 points. While thats down 3% from the previous year, its still well above the market average. Conversely, Optimum fell far short of the industry average and, at 59 points, it snagged a spot at the bottom of the ACSI chart. The only ISP below it was Suddenlink, which, as we discussed at the very start of this short article, is in fact Optimum now. Ouch.AT&& T vs. Optimum: Whats the bottom line?In truth, despite the fact that theres some crossover in the states they cover, AT&T and Optimum wont typically go head-to-head for your dollars. Both suppliers are expanding their fiber footprints, though AT&T, as the larger business, is growing more strongly. Youre going to get a great item if your address is functional for either of their fiber internet offerings. But Optimums looming cost boost after 12 months indicates that youll get the higher value in the long run from AT&T. AT&T vs. Optimum FAQs.
$ 140.
None.
$ 80.
Is Optimum cheaper than AT&T?
For the most part, Optimums beginning costs are more affordable than comparable AT&T plans. Optimums 300Mbps strategy begins at $40 per month, while AT&Ts 300Mbps is $55 month-to-month. Optimums 500Mbps prepare starts $5 cheaper than AT&Ts. The gigabit plans start even, both priced at $80 each month. Nevertheless, after 12 months, when Optimums rates increase, AT&T becomes cheaper throughout all strategies.
Does AT&T use faster speeds than Optimum?
AT&T offers multi-gigabit speeds– 5Gbps and 2gbps– to simply over five million customers throughout its footprint in over 70 various cities. Optimum presently offers those same multi-gig plans only to parts of Long Island, New York.
Are AT&T and Optimum the same business?
Be aware that on the Optimum side, Ill be consisting of the regions and areas that Suddenlink is presently servicing.Okay, with that established, now that weve chosen to pit AT&T and Optimum home internet services versus each other, what precisely are we comparing? Optimum falls well short of AT&T relating to customer complete satisfaction scores– while AT&T is frequently near the top in various studies, Optimum tends to fall near the extremely bottom.
While AT&T and Optimum are simply about equal on beginning rates for similar speed plans, AT&Ts price is the rate. AT&T vs. Optimum: Terms and feesLet me cut to the chase: Both AT&T and Optimum appear to aim to do right by their clients by decreasing the additional charges and fees. AT&T vs. Optimum: Perks and promosBoth Optimum and AT&T use some enticing promos to attempt to entice potential customers.
No. Optimum Mobile does utilize the AT&T network. AT&T is a telecommunications business that provides broadband and mobile services, while Optimum is owned by Altice USA, itself one of the largest communications companies in the nation.