Optimum vs. Hosted America
When comparing Optimum Internet and Hosted America, it’s clear that both providers offer compelling features to meet various connectivity needs. However, not all internet services are created equal. From pricing to reliability, and from customer service to the type of connection, the choice can significantly impact your experience.
This guide will compare Optimum Internet and Hosted America’s Fiber Internet, so you can make an informed decision about which is right for you.
What Does Optimum Internet Service Offer?
Optimum, owned by Altice USA, serves millions of customers across the United States, offering fiber internet in select areas and cable internet to most of its customer base.
Optimum Offers:
- Fiber Internet: Optimum fiber internet delivers fast speeds for high-bandwidth activities like streaming and gaming. However, availability is restricted to certain areas. For example, 8 Gig Fiber Internet is currently only available in certain neighborhoods of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
- Cable Internet: The majority of Optimum customers still use cable internet according to a 2024 report. With cable, internet is delivered through a cable line that you share with others. This makes it prone to network congestion during peak hours and general slower internet speeds.
Optimum Internet Plan Features
- Affordable pricing: Plans start as low as $40/month with discounts for bundling with Optimum TV or Optimum Mobile plans.
- No contracts: Flexible month-to-month plans with no early termination fees.
- Self-installation: Many plans offer a self-install option to save on activation fees.
- TV and Phone Bundles: Optimum Complete bundles combine home phone service, TV service, and internet service for convenience.
Challenges with Optimum Internet
- Unreliable cable service: Cable connections are subject to network slowdowns, especially during high-traffic times.
- Automated customer support: Many Optimum account holders report dissatisfaction with automated systems, making it difficult to resolve complex issues.
- Outages in certain areas: Frequent reports of outages, particularly in select areas where reliability has been a consistent concern.
What Does Hosted America Fiber Internet Offer?
Hosted America provides 100% fiber internet, delivering the fastest and most reliable connection available. Unlike Optimum’s cable-heavy offerings, Hosted America’s fiber internet is a wired broadband service that delivers symmetrical speeds (equal download speeds and upload speeds), making it ideal for streaming, remote work, and online gaming.
Hosted America Fiber Internet Perks
- Fast, reliable speeds: Up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps internet) with no slowdowns
- Future-proof infrastructure: Fiber is designed to handle growing bandwidth demands
- Low latency: Ideal for streaming live TV, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Paramount Plus, online gaming, and Zoom calls
- No data caps: Unlimited data with no throttling or overage fees
- Locally-based support: Raleigh, NC-based customer service team for easy activation and continued support
- Stronger connection than cable: Not affected by network congestion
- Reliability: Hosted America has maintained minimal outages, with most caused by planned maintenance.
Hosted America Fiber Internet Limitations
- Higher starting price: $89.99/month compared to Optimum’s $40/month
- Limited availability: Fiber infrastructure is still expanding, so it may not be available in all areas
Optimum vs. Hosted America Fiber: The Final Verdict
Both Optimum Internet and Hosted America Fiber Internet have their strengths, but they cater to different needs.
Optimum is a good option for budget-conscious customers looking for cable internet or bundled TV packages, especially in areas where fiber is unavailable. However, the reliance on automated support systems and frequent network issues may be frustrating for some users.
On the other hand, Hosted America Fiber Internet offers significant advantages in terms of customer service and reliability. For example, in Monahans, where Optimum customers often experience outages, Hosted America has maintained uninterrupted service apart from scheduled maintenance.
With real support agents in Raleigh, NC, and future-proof fiber technology, Hosted America ensures a fast, consistent connection for customers who prioritize performance and reliability.
See How We Compare to Others
Choosing the right home internet service can be overwhelming with so many options available. Hosted America goes head-to-head with major providers like Verizon, AT&T, Xfinity, Spectrum, and Starlink, each offering different technologies and performance levels.
While some providers rely on wi-fi, cable, satellite internet, or fixed wireless connections, Hosted America’s 100% fiber network ensures faster speeds, lower latency, and unmatched reliability. Want to see how we compare? Explore our in-depth home internet reviews and FAQs to find the best internet service for your needs.
Residential Internet
Get the upload speeds and download speeds you need for streaming, remote work, and more. Our low-latency home internet plans include:
- 25 Mbps plan
- 100 Mbps plan
- 300 Mbps plan
- 500 Mbps plan
- 1 Gbps/gigabit/gig plan
Our 1 gig internet plan is the fastest plan we offer to home internet customers, but we’re confident that all our plans will offer you the accessibility you need for your daily life.