AT&T vs. Optimum: Which Web Supplier Ought to Earn Your Cash?

Proper off the bat, I’ve to admit that I wasn’t even certain what to name this text. It was initially going to be AT&T versus Suddenlink. However then the latter’s mother or father firm, Altice USA, introduced it could be rebranding Suddenlink. So, ought to it’s AT&T versus Altice USA? I would wager that almost all of CNET’s readers are extra conversant in Altice’s Optimum and Suddenlink manufacturers than with Altice itself. Since Suddenlink shall be transitioning to Optimum this 12 months, I’ve determined to go along with AT&T versus Optimum. Nevertheless, remember that on the Optimum facet, I will be together with the areas and areas that Suddenlink is at present servicing.

Okay, with that established, now that we have determined to pit AT&T and Optimum dwelling web providers towards one another, what precisely are we evaluating? AT&T is among the titans of the telecom trade, with broadband providers out there to roughly 40% of properties in 21 states throughout the US. Optimum additionally presents dwelling web to subscribers throughout 21 states, so it is no slouch, both.

AT&T Web presents fiber-optic web service, in addition to DSL and fixed-wireless choices. Optimum plans are principally cable web, however with a rising variety of fiber web tiers too. Every firm’s fiber plans will give clients essentially the most worth. We’ll see that there is some overlap between their respective protection maps, so in some instances, you can be confronted with a alternative between them when purchasing for an web service supplier. 

Moreover, we’ll examine plans, costs, promos and extra to see which ISP may swimsuit your private home greatest. Let’s dive in deeper to know how they match up. 

AT&T vs. Optimum: Availability and protection map

On the prime of the web page, I discussed that each AT&T and Optimum can be found in 21 states throughout the US. However one look on the above map from the Federal Communications Fee exhibits that AT&T covers extra individuals. Actually, in accordance with the FCC’s numbers, AT&T is accessible to only over 40% of the nation, whereas Optimum reaches almost 6% throughout the nation. 

While you take a peek at a few of the precise places lined by the 2 ISPs, Optimum has Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the northeastern Tri-State space — Connecticut, New Jersey and New York (together with New York Metropolis) — all to itself. AT&T, then again, does not need to compete with Optimum in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

The place is there some crossover? Each AT&T and Optimum present providers in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.     

All that stated, whereas each contact the same variety of states, AT&T can declare extra widespread availability to clients throughout the US.

Evaluate AT&T and Optimum plans and costs

AT&T and Optimum every present a wide range of web connection varieties. AT&T options DSL, fiber and glued wi-fi choices, whereas Optimum presents cable and fiber plans. Let’s discover a bit extra to see how they examine. 

AT&T plans and pricing

Plan	Max speeds	Promo value (first 12 months)	Common month-to-month price (after 12 months)	Tools price	Information Cap
AT&T Fastened Wi-fi	25Mbps obtain, 1Mpbs add	$70	$70	None	350GB
AT&T Web 10 (DSL)	10Mbps obtain, 1Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	1TB
AT&T Web 18 (DSL)	18Mbps obtain, 1Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	1TB
AT&T Web 25 (DSL)	25Mbps obtain, 2Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	1TB
AT&T Web 50 (DSL)	50Mbps obtain, 10Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	1TB
AT&T Web 100 (DSL)	100Mbps obtain, 20Mpbs add	$55	$70	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 300	300Mbps obtain, 300Mpbs add	$55	$55	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 500	500Mbps obtain, 500Mpbs add	$65	$65	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 1000	940Mbps obtain, 880Mpbs add	$80	$80	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 2000	2Gbps obtain, 2Gbps add	$110	$110	None	None
AT&T Fiber – Web 5000	5Gbps obtain, 5Gbps add	$180	$180	None	None

Optimum plans and pricing

Plan	Max speeds	Beginning month-to-month value	Common month-to-month value (after 12 months)	Month-to-month gear price	Information cap	Contract
Optimum 300	300Mbps obtain, 20Mbps add	$40	$110	None	None	None
Fiber Optimum 300	300Mbps obtain, 300Mbps add	$40	$110	None	None	None
Optimum 500	500Mbps obtain, 20Mbps add	$60	$130	None	None	None
Fiber Optimum 500	500Mbps obtain, 500Mbps add	$60	$130	None	None	None
Optimum 1 Gig	940Mbps obtain, 35Mbps add	$80	$140	None	None	None
Fiber Optimum 1 Gig	940Mbps obtain, 940Mbps add	$80	$140	None	None	None

I can really feel your ache for those who’re feeling data overload in the intervening time. Let’s have a look at what we are able to do to simplify issues. All of Optimum’s choices are higher than AT&T’s DSL and glued wi-fi choices. You get higher obtain and add speeds and will not need to take care of limiting information caps. 

However as soon as we begin wanting on the 300Mbps tiers and above, it turns into a win for AT&T. To start with, fiber web all the time outperforms cable web connections. Fiber connections function symmetrical obtain and add speeds (cable web has a lot slower add speeds than obtain speeds). Now, Optimum options some fiber plans too. In response to what a spokesperson advised CNET earlier, they’re out there to only over 1,000,000 clients. However AT&T, out of its first-quarter reporting for 2022, says roughly 17 million of its clients are eligible for fiber. 

Moreover, in the case of price, AT&T has the sting. Whereas AT&T and Optimum are nearly equal on beginning costs for comparable velocity plans, AT&T’s value is the value. There is no steep soar after your first 12 months of service, as is lurking with Optimum’s plans. To be truthful, many ISPs take the identical strategy as Optimum and provide you with an alluring value out of the gate however bump up your invoice quantity after 12 months. I admire that AT&T takes a unique strategy, and I think your family price range will welcome that predictability.  

AT&T vs. Optimum: Phrases and costs

Let me reduce to the chase: Each AT&T and Optimum seem to goal to do proper by their clients by minimizing the additional costs and costs. For instance, neither supplier requires a time period settlement, so there is not any worry of early termination charges. Let’s take a peek at different phrases and circumstances you may encounter. 

No month-to-month modem charges 

That is pretty current information. In the beginning of 2022, each AT&T and Optimum charged an extra $10 per thirty days for gear. Even worse, AT&T did not provide you with an opportunity to skip that price through the use of your personal gear. Nevertheless, efficient instantly, each suppliers have trashed their earlier charges and now embody gateway units (modem or router) within the month-to-month price. That is nice information.

One-time set up price 

Optimum has the cheaper setup cost, which runs $59, however is included for those who order on-line. Equally, AT&T will waive its set up cost — a better, $99 price — if clients order on-line.

No information caps to worry, for essentially the most half 

All Optimum clients get limitless information with all plans. That eliminates any worries about potential information overage charges or throttling points to hinder the efficiency of your broadband connection. The identical might be stated with most AT&T plans, besides the DSL and glued wi-fi choices. These are nonetheless burdened with information caps, sadly. Clients shall be charged an additional $10 for every further 50GB of knowledge used per thirty days, as much as $100 per thirty days (or $200 per thirty days for mounted wi-fi clients). Chalk this one up as a win for Optimum.

AT&T vs. Optimum: Perks and promos

Each Optimum and AT&T supply some attractive promos to attempt to lure potential clients. HBO Max, particularly, performs an element in each suppliers’ choices.

First, Optimum items new clients a Visa Pay as you go Card, starting from $50 to $200, relying on the tier you choose. Second, new clients have a chance so as to add two or extra strains of Optimum Cellular for the lowered price of $30 per thirty days. Third, an HBO Max subscription (a price of $15 a month) is included for wherever from three months (for subscribers of the bottom, 300Mbps tier) to a full 12 months (Gig clients).

AT&T additionally comes robust with the perks. To begin, clients who enroll on-line will obtain a $150 AT&T Visa Reward Card. Subsequent up, new fiber clients will get free entry to AT&T’s nationwide community of 30,000 hotspots. Lastly, all AT&T fiber clients with gigabit velocity or above will get a free HBO Max subscription for so long as they continue to be with the service. That is a stable worth of $180 a 12 months throughout your time as an AT&T buyer. 

AT&T vs. Optimum on buyer satisfaction — it is not even shut

Let’s begin right here: ISPs are lifeless final amongst all industries for buyer satisfaction. Nevertheless, inside that context, AT&T fares fairly properly inside the class, whereas Optimum has some work to do. 

AT&T appeared close to the highest of the charts in JD Energy’s 2021 US Residential Web Service Supplier Satisfaction Research. It shone brightly in two areas — the North Central and South — and had a median rating of 738 out of 1,000 potential factors. Optimum was second-to-last within the East area with 655 factors, which was properly under the general common of 714. It fared even worse within the South (beneath the banner of Suddenlink), the place it garnered solely 621 factors. 

Over on the American Buyer Satisfaction Index, the most recent metrics present AT&T in third place, with 69 out of 100 factors. Whereas that is down 3% from the earlier 12 months, it is nonetheless properly above the trade common. Conversely, Optimum fell far wanting the trade common and, at 59 factors, it snagged a spot on the backside of the ACSI chart. The one ISP under it was Suddenlink, which, as we talked about on the very begin of this text, is definitely Optimum now. Ouch.

AT&T vs. Optimum: What is the backside line?

In actuality, regardless that there’s some crossover within the states they cowl, AT&T and Optimum will not usually go head-to-head on your {dollars}. Each suppliers are increasing their fiber footprints, although AT&T, because the bigger firm, is rising extra aggressively. In case your handle is serviceable for both of their fiber web choices, you are going to get a very good product. However Optimum’s looming value improve after 12 months implies that you will get the larger worth in the long term from AT&T.

AT&T vs. Optimum FAQs