Optimum Vs Spectrum: Which Provider Best For You?
When choosing a cable and internet service provider, two of the biggest providers in the United States are Optimum and Spectrum. Optimum, owned by Altice USA, services over four million consumers in the New York tri-state area, while Spectrum, owned by Charter Communications, serves over 30 million consumers across 41 states.
However, today’s writing is about Optimum Vs Spectrum, which can assist you in making an informed decision on which provider is right for you. Here, we will compare and contrast the services, pricing, customer support, and extra features of both ISPs to give you a comprehensive overview of what each offers.
So don’t skip, and Let’s dive into the details and see how Optimum and Spectrum stack up against each other.
Optimum Vs Spectrum: ISP Overview
Optimum Broadband Internet
Optimum is a brand of an American cable provider Altice. It has wide availability, making it the fourth-greatest cable internet provider in the US. With cable internet, Optimum also delivers fiber technology to its customers.
The optimum internet service provider has extensive coverage and is primarily available in prominent Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York metro locations. Overall, optimum is a suitable option for budget-conscious people.
Spectrum Cable Internet
Spectrum is a brand of Charter Communications which provides various telecommunications services to customers. It is the nation’s second-largest cable internet and the third-largest internet service provider. Spectrum’s hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network offers customers high-speed internet, home phone, and cable TV services.
The Spectrum Company recently entered a new market and provided mobile spectrum service. However, Spectrum is strongly available in urban areas but does not have the same presence in rural areas because of infrastructure limitations.
Spectrum Vs Optimum: Comparison of Services
Connection Type
Spectrum offers cable internet, whereas Optimum has fiber-optic technology to provide broadband access. But, its fiber access is not available in many areas. Spectrum and Optimum depend on the existing cable TV infrastructures to offer cable internet. Therefore, you do not get the symmetrical speed and experience slow internet during peak hours.
On the other hand, Optimum has advanced fiber-Optic technology to service a tenth of its consumers. The data used in the form of light provides more reliable and symmetrical speeds. Optimum fiber internet is relatively new and is not dispersed as cable internet.
Read also: T-Mobile Home Internet vs Spectrum: Which is best for you?
#Internet Plans and Pricing
Optimum Internet Plans
Optimum has a wide variety of plans with reasonable introductory rates. It offers both cable internet and fiber internet plans to choose from. Optimum cable internet plans don’t provide the same download and upload speeds, whereas fiber internet has symmetrical download and upload speeds. Here, I will provide Optimum cable & fiber internet plans with pricing in a chart.
Optimum Cable Internet:
| Internet Plans | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Monthly Promotional Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum 300 | 300 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $40.00/mo. |
| Optimum 500 | 500 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $60.00/mo. |
| Optimum 1 Gig | 1000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $80.00/mo. |
Optimum Fiber Internet Plans:
| Internet Plans | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Monthly Promotional Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum Fiber 300 | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | $40.00/mo. |
| Optimum Fiber 500 | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | $60.00/mo. |
| Optimum Fiber 1 Gig | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | $80.00/mo. |
| Optimum Fiber 2 Gig | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps | $120.00/mo. |
| Optimum Fiber 5 Gig | 5000 Mbps | 5000 Mbps | $180.00/mo. |
Plans of Spectrum Internet:
Spectrum delivers three internet plans with different speeds, and the starting price of the plan is $10, which is higher than Optimum. Spectrum cable internet plan has high rates, unlimited data, and a free modem. Spectrum provides all new consumers with a 30-day money-back guarantee for their internet plans. Internet plans and pricing of Spectrum are below with a chart.
| Internet Plans | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Monthly Promotional Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | 300 Mbps | 10 Mbps | $49.99/mo. |
| Internet Ultra | 500 Mbps | 20 Mbps | $69.99/mo. |
| Internet Gig | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | $89.99/mo. |
Internet Speed – Optimum Vs. Spectrum
Spectrum and Optimum provide the same download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps when comparing cable internet service. However the upload speeds are not symmetrical. The upload speed optimum is a maximum of 35 Mbps to 50 Mbps, whereas the Spectrum uploads speed range is a maximum of 35 Mbps.
On the other hand, the Optimum fiber internet plan has symmetrical download and upload speeds up to 5000 Mbps. The fiber internet fast speed is suitable for all internet activity. But, regarding reliable internet speed, Spectrum will be the best option if the Optimum fiber internet is unavailable in your location.
Read also: Fidium VS Spectrum: Which is the Best Internet Service Provider?
Availability
The optimum coverage area of a network or service will depend on various factors, including the density of users, the availability of supporting infrastructure, and the network signal quality. The optimum network is available in five states in the Northeast where a tenth of the population can access Optimum’s fiber broadband network.
Following States of Optimum service:
| Internet Provider | Coverage State |
|---|---|
| Optimum | New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, North Carolina |
On the other hand, the spectrum coverage area is determined by the frequency bands available for use by the network or service. Spectrum has wide availability reaching urban and suburban areas of 41 states. It is the 2nd largest provider in the country because it boasts 32 million customers in the US.
The following States of Spectrum service:
| Internet Provider | Coverage State |
|---|---|
| Spectrum | Alabama, Idaho, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina, Arizona, Indiana, Maryland, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Texas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, California, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, Ohio, Wyoming, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin & West Virginia. |
Bundle Package
The bundle package delivers a convenient way to maintain your daily online activities. Spectrum and Optimum have bundle options to enjoy your favorite shows and remain connected with your loved ones.
However, Spectrum doesn’t provide the traditional TV and internet bundle at a considerable discount. Instead, you can get its TV Select option with any of its three internet plans. You will also get standard TV and premium channels under the base channel lineup, but you have to pay extra for this option.
On the other hand, Optimum bundles have Core TV and Premier TV options with 300 Mbps and 1 Gig internet plans. The Core TV service begins with 220 channels, while the Premier TV service begins with 420. Here, I will provide Spectrum and Optimum bundle packages that are below.
Spectrum Bundle Package:
| Package | Internet Speed | Begging Price | TV Channel | Home Phone Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet+TV Select+Voice | Up to 1 Gbps | $129.97/mo. | 125+ | 28 Features with Unlimited calling |
| Internet Ultra + TV Select | Up to 1 Gbps | $129.97/mo. | 125+ |
Optimum Bundle Package:
| Package | Internet Speed | Begging Price | TV Channel | Home Phone Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum 1Gig + Core TV + Digital Phone | 1000 Mbps | $169.99/mo. | 220+ | Unlimited Calling with unlimited data |
| Optimum 300 + Premier TV | 300 Mbps | $145.99/mo. | 420+ |
Equipment & Installation Fee
Optimum no longer has an equipment rental fee, whereas for Spectrum’s internet; you have to pay $5 every month for its router & $3 for its Wi-Fi pod. You can avoid this charge by buying your equipment.
| Internet Provider | Equipment Charge |
|---|---|
| Optimum | Free |
| Spectrum | 1. Modem-Free Wi-Fi router- $5/month 2. Wi-Fi pod- $3 unit/month |
Spectrum and Optimum both providers have a free installation option. But, Spectrum has a one-time service activation charge of $19.99. Optimum professional Installation will give you standard and premium options depending on your devices. But two of these options are more costly than Spectrum’s professional Installation.
| Internet Provider | Installation Charge |
|---|---|
| Optimum | Self-installation-Free standard installation-$99.99 Premium installation- $149.99 |
| Spectrum | Self-installation-Free but has a service activation charge- $24.99 Professional Installation- $59.99 |
Contract – Optimum Vs. Spectrum
It is hopeful news for every customer that Optimum and Spectrum, both providers, have no contract option. It also means that they have no early termination fee. In both cases, you can use all the services at a locked-in price for the first 12 months. However, you must enjoy the service for a month before opting out.
Read also: Metronet Vs Mediacom: What’s the Exact Difference?
Customer Support
When it comes to customer service, Spectrum provides better customer service than Optimum. According to the latest customer satisfaction survey, Spectrum ranks third in overall satisfaction and highest in speed satisfaction.
On the other hand, Optimum has the lowest rating in its customer service. Its ACSI score of 59 reports a 1-point decline from last year. And this score is six points below the industry average, which is alarming for this ISP.
Optimum Vs Spectrum: Pros and Cons
Optimum and Spectrum are two popular telecommunications companies that provide various services, including cable television, internet, and phone services. Here are some merits and demerits of both ISP:
Optimum Pros and Cons:
PROS
CONS
Spectrum Pros and Cons:
PROS
CONS
Optimum Vs Spectrum: Which is better for Gaming?
If Optimum fiber service is available in your location, it can be an excellent internet option for Gaming. But, it has no wide availability, and its cable internet also fluctuates with areas. When we come to Spectrum, the internet has high speed, unlimited data, and low latency, which delivers a smooth & fresh gaming experience. So, Spectrum is one of the perfect internet providers for Gaming.
Conclusion
Optimum is a cable & fiber-optic internet provider that offers customers internet, TV, and phone services. They provide high-speed internet plans ranging from 300 to 5000 Mbps, with no data caps or contracts required. Optimum also offers a variety of TV packages, including local channels, sports, and premium channels.
On the other hand, Spectrum is a cable internet provider that offers internet, TV, and phone services in 44 states across the United States. Spectrum offers high-speed internet plans ranging from 300 to 1000 Mbps, with no data caps or contracts required. Spectrum also provides a variety of TV packages, including local channels, sports, and premium channels.
As Spectrum has wide availability and comparatively offers honest pricing, it is a clear winner. Ultimately, the best internet service provider for you will depend on your specific demands and preferences.
Read also: Blue Stream Vs Comcast: Who Has Better Internet Service?
