You could buy your own Optimum-compatible router, but you don’t need to: Optimum provides a smart router free of charge, so while you’ll pay $11.99 a month to rent the modem, the router is bundled in for free.
If you’ve been looking for an ISP for a while, you know most of them either issue a modem and router combo or expect you to buy your own router, which can cost well over $100. Getting a free router with Optimum service is a perk we don’t think the bargain-hunting business owner should pass up.
If you believe there’s no such thing as a free lunch, well, you’re not wrong: according to the site, smart routers aren’t available for free in all areas, and as with every service agreement in the history of service agreements, some vague, unlisted terms and conditions apply. Still, most businesses should qualify for a free router, and with 24/7 same-day support for any potential problems, you’re on track to save time and money with Optimum’s router.
That depends. What kind of internet are you looking for? Sure, Verizon is generally our top-recommended provider; it offers relatively affordable prices for high-speed fiber with symmetrical upload and download speeds.
But while fiber internet is the fastest available, giving you nearly instantaneous connections with no noticeable lag time, it’s not available everywhere in the US. If you can’t get fiber, cable is the next best option—and most fiber plans offer speeds similar to cable plans anyway, meaning regular old-school Optimum cable matches Verizon’s speeds up to 1 Gig. Optimum also comes in a tad cheaper than Verizon.
Plus, while Optimum’s upload speeds aren’t symmetrical, they’re higher than upload speeds for similar plans from Cox and other providers—and symmetrical upload and download speeds honestly aren’t necessary unless you’re a very data-heavy, high-bandwidth-usage company.
In short, Optimum business is a great solution if you’re on a budget, and so is Verizon—it’s all about what you have access to and how much you want to pay.
Call 888-276-5255 to chat with Optimum business customer service and take advantage of that downtime-minimizing same-day service guarantee. Customer service is available 24/7.
We can see why you’re asking; it’s definitely confusing to see the brand name and logo for a company called Altice when you google “Optimum.” Basically, Altice is the parent company of two internet service providers: Optimum and Suddenlink. Optimum used to be owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, a telecommunications company Altice acquired in 2016.
Eventually, Altice will probably nix the names “Optimum” and “Suddenlink” and merge the two brands together under its own name. For now, just know that the same parent company owns Suddenlink and Optimum, and that if you see “Altice” listed anywhere on your Optimum account, don’t worry; you’re on the right page.
If you want high-speed internet at a low price, don’t need features like intense data backup and cloud storage, and run a small to midsize business in the New York metropolitan area, Optimum has just the right amount of bang for your budget.
Want to compare internet providers? Check out our piece on the year’s best small-business internet.
Disclaimer
At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.