Optimum Internet Vs Frontier – Overview
When searching for the best ISP (internet service provider) in your area, you want to be certain that you’re comparing apples to apples.
For instance, it’s unwise to compare DSL internet to fiber or cable internet because it can only reach speeds of 100 Mbps.
As a result, this is something to be on the lookout for when comparing Optimum and Frontier. Frontier has been one of the best DSL ISPs in the United States over the past decade.
But with the purchase of Verizon’s fiber network in the West Coast, they’ve entered the fiber market.
On the other hand, Optimum offers cable and fiber internet, but it’s only available in four Northeastern states.
Optimum actually has impressive speeds compared to Frontier, but the downside is that it’s not widely available.
So let’s look at the similarities and differences of Optimum and Frontier internet plans, including pricing and speeds.
Where Can You Get Altice Optimum and Frontier?
Optimum is ranked as the fourth largest ISP in the U.S, but its services are only available in four states, namely Connecticut, Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In New York, Optimum’s fiber and cable are widely available in populated areas such as the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Newark.
Frontier, on the other hand, has overlapping accessibility in Northeastern states.
However, it’s top-of-the-line offering, Frontier FiberOptic, is only available in California, Florida, Indiana, and Texas.
Frontier’s DSL internet is adequate to stream all your favorite movies and TV shows, but Optimum blows it out of the water with speeds that are up to 6 times faster.
How Do Speed and Prices for Optimum and Frontier Compare?
On the surface, Optimum appears to be cheaper when it comes to gigabit internet, but the price doesn’t include the 10 dollars a month fee needed to lease a modem. As a result of this additional price, Optimum’s gigabit plans cost the same as Frontier’s.
But, Optimum has the upper hand because its 1 Gig package has a ‘Price for Life’ warranty. Let’s look at the table below to see how the speeds and prices of both these ISPs compare.
| Frontier Pricing and Plans | Price | Max Download Speed | Max Upload Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Internet | $32.99/Mo | 6 Mbps | N/A | DSL |
| Frontier Preferred Internet | $39.99/Mo | 12-25 Mbps | N/A | DSL |
| Frontier Premium Internet | $49.99/Mo | 45 Mbps | N/A | DSL |
| 50/50 Mbps Internet | $30.00/Mo | 50 Mbps | 50 Mbps | Fiber |
| 500/500 Mbps Internet | $49.99/Mo | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Gig Service | $79.99/Mo | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | Fiber |
| Optimum Internet Pricing and Plans | Price | Max Download Speed | Max Upload Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum 300 | $40.00/Mo | 300 Mbps | 30 Mbps | Cable |
| Optimum 500 | $65.00/Mo | 500 Mbps | 40 Mbps | Cable |
| Optimum 1 Gig | $75.00/Mo | 940 Mbps | 50 Mbps | Cable |
| Fiber Internet 300 | $40.00/Mo | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber Internet 500 | $65.00/Mo | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber Internet 1 Gig | $75.00/Mo | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | Fiber |
As you can see, Frontier is better for budget-conscious internet subscribers because it has a wide variety of internet plans. However, a majority of Frontier’s internet plans are only ideal for a two or three-person home.
Also, when you compare the speeds offered by Frontier’s Fiber and DSL plans to the Cable and Fiber offered by Optimum, you’ll realize Optimum is better.
Are There Monthly Charges for Optimum and Frontier Equipment?
Optimum
- Installation charges: 99 or 149 dollars (depending on your plan)
- Modem leasing charges: 10 dollars a month
Frontier
- Activation charges: 85 dollars
- Modem/router leasing charges: 10 dollars a month
- Wi-Fi Extender charges: 10 dollars a month or 75 dollars to purchase
Optimum offers free installation as a promotional bid. But if the promotion is not available, you’ll have to pay 99 or 149 dollars depending on the installation you choose. If you pick premium installation, then all your devices will connect to the internet wirelessly.
Frontier’s activation charges place it on the higher end of the installation and equipment fee scale. As a result, you’ll pay less for installation when you opt for Optimum’s premium package ($149) as opposed to Frontier.
What’s Customer Service Like for Both Optimum and Frontier?
A lot of factors come into play when it comes to the quality of internet services. While some issues are out of the ISP’s control, client support isn’t one of them.
Both Optimum and Frontier have impressive customer services, and as a result, their reviews are great. Clients are delighted with the level of service offered by both of these ISPs.
Optimum’s client support is more or less what you get from most internet companies.
However, if you want to contact them, maybe try using live chat because it’s less frustrating than telephone calls, and you can do other things as you wait for a reply to your query.
Also, you have access to your entire chat history, and you can refer to it if need be.
On the other hand, Frontier provides technical support for home internet, TV, and phone customers.
For instance, you can ask questions about your internet plan, add or remove services, order Frontier equipment such as modem/routers, etc.
Final Thought
To sum it all up, Frontier is perhaps the cheapest fiber internet provider in the United States, but when you compare their services in areas where Optimum is available, you’ll discover that Optimum’s plans are quicker and more reliable.
We can only recommend Frontier if you reside in California, Florida, or Texas because these are the states with Frontier’s best plans.
See Also
Modem Router Combo for Optimum