What Optimum is and what it charges for

Optimum is a cable and internet provider owned by Altafiber (formerly Cablevision). It serves parts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Optimum bills you for internet service, cable television, and phone service — either separately or bundled together. Your bill arrives monthly and includes charges for the service tier you chose, equipment rental (modem and router), taxes, and any add-on services like premium channels or higher speeds.

The base price for internet alone varies by read speed tier — typically ranging from 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps — and changes based on your location and current promotions. Cable television packages bundle a set number of channels and cost more or less depending on which channels you select. Phone service is usually an add-on to either internet or cable. Optimum also charges a monthly equipment fee if you rent their modem and router rather than buying your own.

Your bill may also include taxes, regulatory fees, and broadcast TV fees, which vary by state and municipality. These are separate line items and are not part of the advertised price. Promotional rates typically last 12 months and then increase to the regular price unless you contact Optimum to negotiate a new rate.

Key Takeaways

  • Optimum charges separate line items for internet, cable, phone, equipment rental, taxes, and fees — the advertised price does not include all of these.
  • Promotional rates expire after 12 months and your bill will increase unless you contact Optimum to renegotiate before the promotion ends.
  • You can reduce your bill by purchasing your own modem and router instead of renting Optimum's equipment, which typically saves $10 to $15 per month.
  • Optimum's service area is limited to parts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania — you cannot order service outside these regions.
  • Your bill includes taxes and regulatory fees that vary by location and are added after the base service price.

Understanding your Optimum bill line by line

Your Optimum bill breaks down into several sections. The first is Internet Service, which lists your speed tier and the monthly charge. Below that is Video Service (cable television), which shows your package name and price. Phone Service appears next if you have it. Each of these is a separate line item with its own price.

Below the service charges, you will see Equipment Rental or Modem/Router Fee. This is what Optimum charges to rent their equipment to you each month. You can eliminate this charge by purchasing a compatible modem and router yourself — Optimum will tell you which models work on their network. The cost of buying your own equipment is usually recovered within 12 to 18 months of savings.

At the bottom of your bill are Taxes and Regulatory Fees. These include sales tax (which varies by state), a broadcast TV fee (if you have cable), and sometimes a municipal tax. These are not optional and are calculated based on your location and the services you have. They are added after the base service price, which is why your final bill is higher than the advertised rate.

Promotional rates and price increases

Optimum advertises promotional rates that are lower than the regular price. These promotions typically last 12 months from the date you sign up or from the date the promotion begins. After 12 months, your rate automatically increases to the regular price unless you contact Optimum to negotiate a new rate or promotion.

To avoid a surprise price increase, contact Optimum about 30 days before your promotional period ends. You can call customer service or log into your online account to see the exact date your promotion expires. When you call, ask if you are may be able to access for a new promotion or a loyalty rate. Optimum often offers discounts to existing customers who threaten to switch providers, so it is worth asking even if no promotion is advertised.

If you do not renegotiate, your bill will jump to the full regular price. This increase can be $20 to $50 or more per month depending on your service tier and location. Checking your bill every few months helps you catch price increases early and gives you time to decide whether to stay with Optimum or switch to another provider.

Equipment rental versus buying your own modem

Optimum charges a monthly fee to rent their modem and router. This fee is typically $10 to $15 per month, though it varies by location and equipment model. Over a year, that adds up to $120 to $180. You can buy a compatible modem and router for $100 to $250 upfront, which means you break even or save money within the first year.

To buy your own equipment, you need to know which models Optimum supports. Visit Optimum's website or call customer service and ask for a list of approved modems and routers. Popular brands that work with Optimum include Netgear, ARRIS, and Motorola. Once you buy the equipment, you connect it yourself following the instructions, or Optimum can walk you through it over the phone. You then contact Optimum to remove the rental charge from your bill.

The main trade-off is that if your equipment breaks, you pay to replace it yourself. Optimum's rental includes replacement at no cost. For most people, the monthly savings outweigh this risk, especially if you keep your equipment in good condition and do not move frequently.

Taxes, fees, and why your bill is higher than the advertised price

The price Optimum advertises for internet or cable does not include taxes and fees. These are added to your bill based on your location and the services you have. The most common fees are sales tax (which varies by state from 0% to over 8%), a broadcast TV fee (if you have cable), and sometimes a municipal or county tax.

The broadcast TV fee is a separate line item that Optimum adds to cable bills. This fee covers the cost of carrying local broadcast channels and is set by regulators, not by Optimum. It typically ranges from $5 to $15 per month depending on your location. This fee is not part of the advertised cable price, so your actual bill will be higher.

Regulatory fees and taxes can add 15% to 25% to your base service price. For example, if your internet and cable together cost $100 per month before taxes and fees, your final bill might be $115 to $125 after everything is added. Always ask Optimum for the total monthly cost including all taxes and fees before you sign up, so you know the real price you will pay.

Bundling services and how it affects your price

Optimum offers discounts when you bundle internet, cable, and phone together. A bundle typically costs less than buying each service separately. For example, internet alone might be $60, cable alone might be $80, and phone alone might be $30 — totaling $170. A bundle of all three might be $120 to $140, saving you $30 to $50 per month.

The discount applies only to the base service price. Taxes, fees, and equipment rental are still added separately. When comparing Optimum to other providers, make sure you are comparing the total bill including taxes and fees, not just the advertised bundle price.

If you remove a service from your bundle, your remaining services may increase in price. For example, if you drop cable from a bundle, your internet price might go up because you are no longer getting the bundle discount. Always ask Optimum what your new price will be before you make changes to your services.

How to read your Optimum bill online

You can view your Optimum bill online by logging into your account at optimum.com. Click on "Billing" or "My Bill" to see your current and past bills. Your online bill shows the same information as your paper bill: service charges, equipment fees, taxes, and the total amount due.

The online bill also shows your billing date, due date, and any credits or adjustments applied to your account. If you have autopay set up, you will see the payment method and the date the payment will be taken from your account. You can read your bill as a PDF to save or print it.

If you see a charge you do not recognize or if your bill is higher than expected, contact Optimum customer service. Have your bill in front of you when you call so you can ask about specific line items. Optimum can explain what each charge is for and may be able to remove charges if there was an error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Optimum bill higher than the advertised price?

The advertised price does not include taxes, regulatory fees, broadcast TV fees, or equipment rental. These are added to your bill based on your location and the services you have. Your final bill is typically 15% to 25% higher than the advertised price once all fees and taxes are included.

Can I get a lower rate if my promotional period has ended?

Yes. Contact Optimum about 30 days before your promotion expires and ask about loyalty rates or new promotions. Optimum often offers discounts to existing customers to keep them from switching providers. There is no harm in asking, and you may be able to lower your bill or extend your promotional rate.

What happens if I buy my own modem instead of renting Optimum's?

You save $10 to $15 per month by owning your equipment instead of renting it. You need to buy a modem and router that Optimum supports, which costs $100 to $250 upfront. Most people recover this cost within 12 to 18 months of savings. If your equipment breaks, you pay to replace it yourself.

Does Optimum service my address?

Optimum only serves parts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. You can check if service is available at your address by entering your zip code on optimum.com or calling customer service. If Optimum does not serve your area, you will need to look at other providers available in your region.

What is the broadcast TV fee on my bill?

The broadcast TV fee is a separate charge that covers the cost of carrying local broadcast channels. It is set by regulators and is not part of the advertised cable price. This fee typically ranges from $5 to $15 per month depending on your location and is added to cable bills only.