Frontier Vs Optimum: Is Optimum Internet Better Than Frontier Fiber For Residential Customers In 2024?

As demand for high-speed, reliable internet grows, choosing the right internet provider has become more critical than ever. In 2024, an estimated 91% of American households have access to broadband internet, with fiber optic connections rapidly expanding to meet the needs of modern users. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), fiber availability has surged by 23% over the past five years, driven by increasing reliance on internet services for work, streaming, and daily connectivity.

Frontier and Optimum are two of the giants in the ISP industry. But in the battle of Frontier vs Optimum which provider offers the better combination of speed, reliability, and value for residential users in 2024? 

That’s what we are going to find out in this blog. This in-depth comparison of Frontier and Optimum will cover everything from pricing and speed to customer satisfaction and coverage. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which provider might be the better fit for your needs. So, let’s start. 

Frontier Vs Optimum: Brief Overview of The Two Companies

Frontier:

Founded in 1935, Frontier Communications is one of the oldest telecommunications providers in the United States. The company started with telephone services and expanded into fiber internet in recent years. Today, Frontier is included in the Fortune 500 companies and it is known for offering high-speed fiber internet services in multiple states and has focused on expanding its fiber infrastructure to compete with industry giants.

Pros: 

• Symmetric Speeds: Frontier fiber plans offer equal upload and download speeds, up to 5 Gbps, ideal for high-bandwidth households.
• No Contracts: Most fiber plans have no long-term contracts, giving users the flexibility to switch without early termination fees.
• Wide Availability: Frontier’s fiber service is available in over 25 states, covering many urban and suburban areas.
• Unlimited Data: All fiber plans include unlimited data, beneficial for heavy data users.

Cons:

• Price Increases: Rates often rise after the first year, which may surprise users.
• Customer Service: Customer support, though improved, can still be frustrating for some users.

Optimum:

Optimum, established in 2004, has grown to become one of the leading ISPs in the U.S., providing fiber and cable internet to millions of customers. Though primarily concentrated in the northeastern states, Optimum has expanded its services through acquisition and increased infrastructure investment. Its competitive pricing and multi-gigabit options make it a popular choice for households needing high-speed connectivity.

Pros:

• No Data Caps: Optimum’s fiber plans come without data caps, providing unlimited usage without extra fees.
• No Contracts Required: Like Frontier, Optimum also doesn’t mandate long-term contracts, adding flexibility for subscribers.
• Multi-Gigabit Speeds: Optimum offers fiber speeds up to 8 Gbps, making it one of the fastest options for residential users.
• Free Equipment and Installation Offers: Optimum frequently includes free equipment and professional installation in its promotions, making it easy for new users to get started.

Cons:

• Limited Coverage: Optimum’s fiber service is less available than Frontier’s, especially outside the northeastern U.S.
• Mixed Reviews: Some users appreciate Optimum’s speed and reliability, while others report inconsistent service and support issues.

Optimum Vs Frontier: Detailed Comparison of Plans And Pricing

Opting out of a single winner in Frontier vs Optimum is quite ticky as both isp offer good deals. However, let’s breakdown each company to try and find the better competitor.

Frontier Internet Pricing And Speeds:

Frontier Fiber offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets. The Fiber 500 plan, starting at $49.99 per month, provides symmetrical speeds of up to 500 Mbps, ideal for standard household use like streaming and gaming. For those requiring faster speeds, the Fiber 1 Gig plan offers up to 1 Gbps at $64.99 per month for the first year, increasing to $82.59 thereafter. Power users and businesses might opt for the Fiber 2 Gig plan, with speeds up to 2 Gbps at $99.99 per month for the first year. Finally, the Fiber 5 Gig plan offers the ultimate speed of up to 5 Gbps at $129.99 per month for the first year, catering to the most demanding users.

Key Highlights of Frontier’s Fiber Plans:

• All plans come with unlimited data, perfect for large households.
• Frontier provides an Amazon Eero Wi-Fi router at no additional charge for customers.

Optimum Internet Plans And Pricing:

All Optimum fiber plans offer symmetric speeds for both uploads and downloads. The internet options begin with a 300 Mbps plan and go up to an impressive 8,000 Mbps. The entry-level plan is priced at an affordable $40 per month, which is well-suited for users with moderate internet needs. Unlike many providers that offer a starting speed of 100 Mbps, Optimum’s initial plan begins at 300 Mbps, giving more value at a competitive price.

For users who require ultra-fast speeds, Optimum also provides multi-gigabit options, including plans with 2,000 Mbps, 5,000 Mbps, and 8,000 Mbps, which are available starting at $120, $180, and $280 per month (location-dependent). These high-speed plans cater to heavy internet users, large families, and businesses with substantial connectivity needs.

Optimum Vs Frontier Internet: Comparison of The Additional Costs

Any comparison of internet providers cannot be completed without comparing the additional costs, and the same is true for Frontier vs Optimum. 

Exploring Data Caps and Contracts:

One of Optimum’s most consumer-friendly features is its contract-free fiber plans. Customers aren’t bound by long-term agreements, which means they have the freedom to cancel or switch plans without incurring early termination fees (ETFs).

Frontier’s fiber plans also generally come without a contract requirement, allowing users to cancel or switch without early termination penalties. However, in some cases, promotional offers—such as gift card incentives—may require customers to stay on the plan for a set period to qualify. Frontier’s DSL customers should also verify the terms, as some DSL plans may come with contract obligations. For those with contracts, Frontier’s early termination fee can be as high as $100.

Equipment Rental Fee:

In terms of equipment rental fees Optimum is the clear winner.

• Frontier: Frontier charges a $10 monthly rental fee for its modem-router combo, which includes an Amazon Eero Wi-Fi router for reliable, whole-home coverage. Customers can opt to use their own equipment if it’s compatible, allowing them to save the monthly fee. However, for users seeking premium connectivity without the hassle of setup, Frontier’s rented equipment provides strong, consistent coverage. Frontier also includes professional installation of the Amazon Eero router in the rental fee.
  
• Optimum: Optimum offers its fiber internet equipment at no extra charge, making it one of the more cost-effective providers for households that don’t want to incur monthly rental fees. Optimum’s included router often comes with Wi-Fi 6 technology, ensuring high performance and the ability to support multiple devices.
  

Fee For Professional Installation:

Both Optimum and Frontier fall short in this domain. 

• Frontier: Frontier typically charges a one-time professional installation fee of $75. This fee covers the setup and configuration of fiber connections and installation of the Amazon Eero router. Frontier sometimes waives this fee as part of special promotions, particularly for new customers signing up online. For those who are comfortable setting up their own equipment, Frontier offers a self-installation option on certain plans, which can eliminate this fee entirely.
  
• Optimum: Optimum generally charges a $100 fee for professional installation, which involves configuring the modem, router, and any additional hardware needed. However, a key benefit with Optimum is its frequent promotional offer of free installation for new customers who sign up online. This offer not only saves on initial costs but also provides professional support to ensure the connection is optimized from the start. Unlike Frontier, Optimum doesn’t currently provide a self-installation option for fiber plans, so customers typically need to rely on the professional setup provided.
  

Frontier Fiber Vs Optimum: A Look At The Coverage Area In 2024

Optimum Coverage Map:

Headquartered in New York, Optimum continues to expand its fiber network. However, how widely will it be available in 2024?

Well currently, Optimum delivers internet service across 21 states, primarily through cable connections that reach over 20 million people. Its faster fiber optic service, however, covers a smaller footprint, serving about 1.6 million individuals across approximately 750 cities and towns.

Within areas where fiber is available, most users can access speeds up to 1 Gig. The higher-speed, multi-gigabit plans have even more limited availability, accessible only in specific parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Frontier Availability And Coverage Area:

Frontier’s extensive fiber network covers over 25 states, with particular focus areas in California, Texas, Florida, and Connecticut. Frontier’s commitment to expanding its fiber services in rural and suburban areas has made it accessible to over 10 million people. Recently, the company also transferred some of its Pacific Northwest operations to Ziply Fiber, allowing it to focus on other regions.

Customer Satisfaction Status: Frontier Internet Vs Optimum Internet

Optimum has consistently received below-average ratings in customer service. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Optimum’s score for non-fiber internet was 58, ranking last in this category and sitting 8 points below the industry average. The J.D. Power 2022 study gave Optimum 642 out of 1,000 points in areas like speed, performance, and customer service. While there are some positive customer reviews on platforms like Reddit, many on Trustpilot and other review sites are negative, citing frequent outages and poor support.

Frontier, on the other hand, has struggled historically with customer satisfaction, but it has shown gradual improvement. In the ACSI, Frontier scored 55 out of 100 in 2019 and 2020, ranking among the lowest. However, Frontier’s score has been rising, reaching 61 in recent years, surpassing other companies like CenturyLink and Mediacom. This upward trend indicates that Frontier has been making efforts to address past service issues, including service outages and customer support responsiveness.

In summary:

• Optimum maintains solid fiber speeds but struggles with customer satisfaction, with scores indicating continued issues in support and reliability.
• Frontier has historically underperformed but shows a steady improvement in customer satisfaction, with a focus on resolving past challenges.

This puts Frontier on a more promising trajectory for those prioritizing customer support, while Optimum’s strengths remain largely in its fiber offerings where available.

Final Verdict: Is Optimum Good Enough Against Frontier Fiber?

Both Frontier and Optium are strong contenders, however, according to our team at GetInternetDeal, Frontier is a better choice in 2024. 

Frontier is ideal for users seeking reliable, affordable internet with extensive coverage. Optimum, on the other hand, is a compelling option for households in select urban areas seeking ultra-fast multi-gigabit speeds.