Optimum Mobile Pros and Cons: Mobile Plans on T-Mobile’s Network

You may have heard of Optimum, the home internet and cable provider before, but what you might not know is they also have their fair share of mobile plans! Optimum is a popular choice in select areas of the country where other cable and home-internet providers are unavailable. They offer: internet, television, mobile and home phone, and are considered to be the “fourth largest cable provider” in the United States. But we’re here to specifically talk about their mobile footprint and see how it could fare against the other options on your list.

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs, the pros and cons of Optimum Mobile and what they offer. Here’s what to expect:

• A Quick Look at Optimum Mobile
• Optimum Mobile’s Coverage
• Their Plans and Prices
• Services and Features provided
• Optimum Mobile Pros and Cons
• How to Contact their Customer Service
• Review Summary

Quick Look: Optimum Mobile

We mentioned in the intro the many different pies Optimum has its hands in, but did you know they only operate in 21 states? Before you get into reading all about what Optimum offers we recommend going to check if it’s available in your area so you know whether this is a valid option for you. Optimum has been said to have an “impressive fiber footprint for a cable-first provider” from CNET, but how is their mobile service?

Well, Optimum Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. In Optimum Mobile’s case they are a MVNO of T-Mobile.

A REALLY Tip: MVNO Edition

If you are unfamiliar with MVNO’s, you should know that they are more likely to subject users to data deprioritization and throttled speeds. 

• Data deprioritization is “the temporary slowing of data speeds for certain customers in order to give priority to other customers.” Which means that those who are direct customers of the “parent” company will get network priority when you’re in a high traffic area like a concert hall or sports stadium, or when there’s network congestion.

• Throttling is also more likely to occur with MVNOs and “the dramatic slowing of your data speeds to the point that it becomes almost unusable.” This will happen when you go over a certain number of gigabytes of data for the month, which is referred to as a “data cap.” You’ll see this number displayed somewhere on your carrier’s website. Your normal speeds will slow down until the start of your next billing cycle.

Optimum Mobile’s Coverage

We know Optimum Mobile get their coverage via T-Mobile, so let’s talk a look at T-Mobile’s coverage:

T-Mobile is the leader in 5G coverage which is a huge feat considering more and more people are upgrading to 5G capable phones, and 5G is our current best system for wireless communication. T-Mobile offers consistent speeds and widespread coverage which is nice to see as we look into further 5G technologies like  5G+, 5G Advanced, Ultra Wide-Band, and more.

Their 4G LTE isn’t as widespread as their two major competitors, Verizon and AT&T, but it’s by no means a dealbreaker. (Always check with the website and coverage map to see what the network looks like in your area so you can see if you are also in for that lovely 5G).

One feature you’ll find on most provider’s websites is a “Coverage” or “Coverage Map” tab, this shows off the network’s coverage all throughout the country and subsequent regions. However, Optimum Mobile doesn’t have their own coverage map, instead the only offer this approximation through their website:

You can only see if your area is covered through Optimum by typing in your ZIP code, then it will tell you if you are covered by their 4G LTE and/or 5G networks.

And if you need any more data Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

Optimum Mobile’s Plans and Prices

Optimum Mobile has four phone plans to choose from, two “limited” data plans and two unlimited data plans. You can get up to 10 lines on your Optimum Mobile account, and “if you have two or more Optimum Mobile Unlimited lines, you will receive the Unlimited Plans Multi-Line Savings” according to their Support Page, this discount does not apply with their limited data plans. The company deprioritizes data, which you know means you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Plan One: 1 GB

This is Optimum Mobile’s smallest plan available, this plan gets you 1GB of premium data for $15/mo. Premium data does not slow down, even in times of high network congestion and traffic. After you’ve gone over your 1GB data allotment you will be reduced to 2G speeds for the remainder of the billing cycle unless you buy more data. With 2G speeds, users can expect to send text messages and emails or scroll the internet, but streaming video or playing games will be difficult. This plan comes with unlimited talk and text.

The plan costs $15 per month for one line. At this rate, you get 1GB of premium data at $15 per GB. 

Plan Two: 5 GB

This is Optimum Mobile’s second and last limited data plan, this plan gets you 5GB of premium data for $25/mo. After you’ve gone over your 5GB data allotment you will be reduced to 2G speeds for the remainder of the billing cycle. This plan comes with unlimited talk and text.

The plan costs $25 per month for one line. At this rate, you get 5GB of premium data at $5.00 per GB. 

Plan Three: Unlimited

This is Optimum Mobile’s most popular plan, this plan gets you 20GB of premium data for $45/mo. After you’ve gone over your 20GB data allotment your speeds slow down to 3G speeds for the remainder of your billing cycle instead of the 2G like the previous two plans. At 3G speeds, you can still send emails and texts or scroll on the internet, but streaming video or playing games may be slower without WiFi. This plan comes with unlimited talk, text, and a 5GB mobile hotspot.

The plan costs $45 per month for one line only. At this rate, you get 20GB of premium data at $2.25 per GB. 

Plan Four: Unlimited Max

This is Optimum Mobile’s biggest plan, which gets you 50GB of premium data for $55/mo. After 15GB of tethered data usage in a month your speeds will slow down to 3G speeds for the remainder of your billing cycle. This plan comes with unlimited talk, text, and a 15GB mobile hotspot.

The plan costs $55 per month for one line only. At this rate, you get 50GB of premium data at $1.10 per GB. 

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Optimum Mobile’s Features

While this carrier offers pretty good deals for their customers, there are some differences in the features and benefits that may entice you to pick this one over another. If you’re a frequent traveler, talk to your international friends and family a lot, or are looking for a bit more “perk” with your plan then this section will break down all of that juicy info so you can know what you’re potentially gonna get: 

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• Domestic Roaming Data

• Optimum Mobile offers domestic off-net (roaming) at 2G speeds.

• Mexico & Canada Connection

• Unlimited talk and text from the USA to Mexico or Canada is available as an add-on for every Optimum Mobile plan. Rates apply.

• International Connection

• Optimum Mobile offers a Travel Pass add-on if you wish to connect while you’re outside the United States with each of their plans. Rates apply.

• Video Streaming Quality

• The 1GB, 5GB, and Unlimited plans all stream video at 480p SD resolution and their Unlimited Max plan streams at 720p HD resolution.

• Streaming Services and Cloud Storage

• Optimum Mobile does not offer these features.

• Internet and Mobile Savings

• For every Optimum Mobile plan you can save up to $15/mo.

• Device Financing

• Optimum Mobile does not offer this feature.

• WiFi Calling

• Optimum Mobile offers WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception.

• Spam Protection and Free Trial

• Optimum Mobile does not offer these features.

Optimum Mobile Pros and Cons

We’ve taken a look at Optimum Mobile’s coverage, plans, prices, and features. Now let’s dive into the pros and cons to help narrow down your decision:

👍Pros:

• Access to the biggest 5G wireless network
• Offers both limited and unlimited data plan options
• Additional line savings
• No contract plans

👍Optimum Mobile is on T-Mobile’s Network

When you sign up for a Optimum Mobile plan you have access to and are using T-Mobile’s wireless network leader in 5G coverage, so if you have a 5G capable phone then this is a huge pro.

👍Optimum Mobile has Limited and Unlimited Data Plans

A lot of cell carriers now only have unlimited data options, but not everyone needs that, some only need a few gigs a month to get by but they end up paying for unlimited because that’s the only option available. With Optimum Mobile you get your choice of a 1GB, 5GB, or their Unlimited data plans. This means both low-data and heavy-data users can get the choice that best fits their needs.

👍Optimum Mobile’s Plans is Best for: Select Areas

Optimum Mobile is best for those who live in an area that is under T-Mobile’s coverage. Those who might be having trouble finding a provider that fits your budget and has a strong network signal where you live may be Optimum’s optimal customer(s).

👍Premium Data

A lot of the time when it comes to phone service plans you’ll notice that your speeds can be inconsistent and that’s because providers only offer high-speed, or average speed data plans. But Optimum Mobile offers you pronoun data which doesn’t slow down when there’s a network drop, you’ll only start to experience slower data speeds when you’ve gone over their specified data allotments for the billing cycle.

👎Cons

• Data Speeds Throttled
• No International Features
• Data Cap slows speeds

👎Optimum Mobile’s Plans are Throttled

With every Optimum Mobile phone plan your data speeds will be throttled when you go over your data allotment for the month. And since they offer premium data you’ll definitely notice a big drop to 2G and 3G speeds which can be annoying.

👎International Benefits are Add-on Only

A lot of other MVNOs and major network operators (MNOs) have international benefits built into their phone plans, but with Optimum Mobile you only get Mexico, Canada, and extended international use if you add-on their Travel Pass or pay per use.

👎Poor Reviews

There have been many accounts from users that Optimum as a service can be frustrating to deal with. Inconsistencies and hard-to-reach support have been reported by many which is a big con should you have questions, though every case is different.

Optimum Mobile’s Customer Service

Optimum has several stores across the country which you can find using their store locator. For additional help or support you can call 866-200-7186, or dial 611 using an Optimum Mobile phone. Phone support is available Monday through Friday 8 AM to 10 PM EST, and Saturdays and Sundays 8 AM to 8 PM EST. They also have a Live Bot on their website for quick-question assistance and an extension to message with your phones.

Review Summary

We think that Optimum Mobile is a good MVNO if you are expected to have good coverage in your most-frequently visited areas. Their premium data adds a huge pro to their column, but since they are only available in select states and areas we recommend making sure your area is well covered before you sign up.

Want to compare other carriers?

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And if you want to compare and contrast Optimum Mobile to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.