Optimum Mobile Review: 7 Things to Know Before You Sign Up

Optimum Mobile is the wireless branch of Optimum, which also has Internet and television options. There are a few important limitations, however, to using this service. First off, Optimum Mobile is only available to those who live within its Internet service area, which covers the New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts areas. If you do not live in these states, you cannot purchase plans at Optimum Mobile. Optimum Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s network, so their service extends nationwide. 

Overall, their plans are more expensive than the competition. Optimum Mobile has bundle savings if you purchase both mobile and Internet from them, which makes their plans better priced compared to the competition. In our Optimum Mobile review, we will look at their plans and pricing for Internet and non-Internet members, how they hold up to the competition, and whether or not we would recommend their service to you. 

Check out our guide on how to choose the best phone plan that works for you!

Table of Contents:

• Plans and Pricing
• Services and Features
• Optimum Mobile Versus Competition
• Phone Options
• Customer Service
• Customer Reviews
• Optimum Mobile Review Summary 

Optimum Mobile Review: An Exclusive MVNO Running on T-Mobile’s Network

Optimum Mobile is best known for its multiple service offerings. Users can choose mobile plans, internet plans, and television packages. They operate in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts areas, so their customers all have to live in those states to receive service from them. If you live in one of those states and are interested in affordable and reliable wireless, then Optimum Mobile might be for you! In general, we were not super impressed with their offerings against MVNOs like Visible Wireless or Tello Mobile. We will discuss their strengths and weaknesses further in our Optimum Mobile Review to help you figure out whether they are the right carrier for you. 

Here’s a little information about Optimum Mobile! 

• What sets Optimum Mobile apart? With so many MVNOs, it is important to know what sets Optimum Mobile apart before deciding on one over the rest. Optimum Mobile brings options to the table. Since customers must live within those three states, location is an easy way to cross this MVNO off your list. 
• What’s the price of Optimum Mobile plans? Optimum Mobile has four plans that are surprisingly expensive for what you receive. The data provided by their plans are 1 GB, 3 GB, 20 GB, and 50 GB of high-speed data before lines are throttled down to slow speeds. Be warned! The prices displayed on their website are for Optimum Internet customers. Noncustomers have an additional $20 a month added per line. 
• What kinds of plans does Optimum Mobile offer? Optimum Mobile offers a variety of plans, ranging from 1 GB per month up to 50 GB per month. Their plans have unlimited talk and text, and they receive slow “unlimited” data if you run over your high-speed allocation. These plans are best for low and mid-data users. 
• What network does Optimum Mobile use? Optimum Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network. While you have to live in the North East to open an account, Optimum Mobile has near-nationwide coverage through T-Mobile’s network. Plans receive 5G data speeds until the cap is reached.  
• Can you bring your own cell phone? Yes! If you have a phone that works for you, you can bring your device to Optimum Mobile. To bring your device onto Optimum’s network, you have to check your device’s compatibility, make sure your device is “unlocked,” and order an Optimum Mobile SIM card. Optimum Mobile also offers eSIM plans, making the switch even easier. 
• Does Optimum Mobile have any stores? Yes! Optimum Mobile has over 100 locations throughout their local area where customer service is available 24/7. 

1. Optimum Mobile Plans and Pricing

Optimum Mobile offers four plans in their store, each available at various price points. Their “unlimited” plans offer multi-line discounts; all their lines are discounted for Optimum Internet customers. Before we go any further, do not open an Optimum Mobile account if you are not an Optimum Internet customer. Let’s look at the price points for Optimum Mobile plans for noncustomers. 

• 1 GB high-speed data for $35 a month
• 3 GB high-speed data for $45 a month
• 20 GB high-speed data for $65 a month
• 50 GB high-speed data for $75 a month

These prices are crazy. While the two higher-tier plans receive a $15 discount for multiple lines, those prices are still way higher than in other MVNOs. We highly recommend checking out another MVNO that utilizes T-Mobile’s network, like Mint Mobile or Tello Mobile. If you are an Optimum Internet customer, you can immediately take $20 off of each of those price points, on top of any multi-line savings you can acquire. These plans are much more competitive, especially with the additional $10 savings from bundling Internet and Mobile plans. 

Factoring in the Internet savings and assuming you are opening an account with two or more lines, these are the prices of Optimum Mobile cell phone plans: 

• 1 GB high-speed data for $5 a month
• 3 GB high-speed data for $15 a month
• 20 GB high-speed data for $20 a month
• 50 GB high-speed data for $30 a month

That’s a lot better than the alternative! These plans are priced very competitively compared to the competition. These plans are similar to Spectrum Mobile in that the Internet and Mobile bundle is what sets them apart. If you are interested in finding a MVNO that’s detached from your Internet, there are a lot of options that deliver similarly priced plans. 

2. Optimum Mobile Services and Features

Like many MVNOs, Optimum Mobile does not offer a lot of additional services and features alongside its mobile plans. The more expensive plans receive a small allocation of high-speed hotspot data with their plan, but outside of that, it is mainly limited to talk, text, and data. 

Optimum’s other services are the Internet and television. One big pro of Optimum Mobile is that it lets you receive multiple services from the same company and simplifies the overall process of your mobile, Internet, and cable packages. Optimum’s Internet offerings go all the way up to 5 Gbps download speeds which are, in our opinion, incredibly overkill for residences. High-bandwidth internet users use up to 100 Mbps on their own, so a 5 Gbps would support, hypothetically, fifty users. 

3. Optimum Mobile Versus Competition

Optimum Mobile is easier to place in a category of its own due to the constraints there are on its service. When we compare Optimum Mobile in this section, we assume that you live in their service area and have their Internet service. These two factors will let you partake in Optimum Mobile and receive the lowest prices they offer. If you’ve been looking for some time, we are sure you’ve noticed the plethora of MVNOs all offering excellent deals. How good are those deals? Let’s see how Optimum Mobile holds up to the competition. 

Optimum Mobile vs. T-Mobile

We’ll start off comparing Optimum Mobile to its parent company, T-Mobile. The major difference between T-Mobile and Optimum Mobile is the data provided in the plans. Optimum Mobile provides up to 50 GB of high-speed data before plans are slowed while T-Mobile offers multiple tiers of unlimited high-speed data. Based on this alone, high data users will be more comfortable at a major wireless carrier like T-Mobile because they don’t have to worry about their data consumption. The flipside of this is that the plans at T-Mobile are more expensive than Optimum Mobile. Low-data users who don’t need over 50 GB of data each month or are able to use their phone mainly in WiFi zones can save money by getting a limited data plan at an MVNO like Optimum Mobile. 

The difference is that major wireless networks are more expensive and provide consistent and unlimited high-speed data. They are better for medium and high-data users. MVNOs like Red Pocket Mobile are better for low-data users. 

Optimum Mobile vs. Mint Mobile

Even with all of the savings from Optimum Mobile, we have to go with Mint Mobile as the winner here. Mint Mobile has a series of incredible data plans. For just $30 a month, you get a plan with some of the bells and whistles we expect from major wireless companies. Mint Mobile also offers discounts for year long contracts. Compared to Optimum Mobile, we feel that Mint Mobile’s plans are better priced and offer more flexibility. With Optimum Mobile, you are tied into your mobile plan and your Internet plan, and have to stay living within their service area. The savings are nice, but the prices are similar to what Mint has to offer without the same restrictions. 

• Click here to take a look at Mint Mobile’s options. 

Optimum  Mobile vs. Tello Mobile

Tello Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s network as well. More than Optimum Mobile and more than Mint Mobile, Tello Mobile is very flexible. They don’t require contracts or family plans to get the great prices they have to offer. The downside of Tello Mobile is that their biggest plan only offers 25 GB of high-speed data. They are amazing for low data users. Between these two MVNOs, Tello Mobile is better overall. It has better-priced offerings without worrying about a contract, and they have more plans for greater flexibility. 

• Click here to take a look at Tello’s options. 

Optimum Mobile vs. Boost Infinite 

Boost Infinite operates on AT&T, T-Mobile, and the Dish networks, which means you can choose which network you’d prefer if you sign up with them. Boost Infinite offers two unlimited plans, each with 30GB of high speed data. Unlike Optimum Mobile, Boost Infinite offers a lot of extra features with their biggest plan – Infinite Unlimited Plus. This plan offers international talk and text as well as roaming data in Mexico and Canada. What makes them stand out against Optimum Mobile, though, is that this plan gives you a free iPhone 14 when you sign up. They don’t require a contract or multiple lines to get this offer, either. 

• Click here to take a look at Boost Infinite’s options. 

Optimum Mobile vs. Visible

Visible runs on the Verizon network, and they offer two plans at great deals: Visible Base and Visible+. Both plans offer completely unlimited deprioritized data, but Visible+ offers an additional 50GB of premium data. Both plans offer unlimited hotspot data as well, making their plans some of the best in the industry. As a single line carrier, Visible doesn’t make you buy multiple lines to benefit from their best deals. Visible+ is also just $45 per month, which is cheaper than Optimum’s Unlimited Max plan. 

• Click here to take a look at Visible’s options.

4. Optimum Mobile Phone Options

Optimum Mobile lets users bring their own device, so as long as you have an unlocked phone with your current carrier or not tied to any carrier you can set it up easily when you create your Optimum Mobile account. Here are the options if you want to purchase a new phone from their store: 

• iPhone 13 series
• iPhone 14 series
• Moto G series
• Galaxy S21 series
• Galaxy S22 series
• Galaxy S23 series
• Galaxy A03s
• Galaxy A53 5G
• Galaxy Z Flip4 5G

Optimum Mobile has an impressive lineup in their store. Our only complaint is that they don’t carry older iPhone models. The iPhone 13 and 14 series are still wicked expensive, so users looking for a discount iPhone device will find better luck purchasing an unlocked phone from the Apple store or a place like Amazon. 

Alongside their Apple devices there are a ton of Android options in their store, so you can choose between the latest and greatest S23 series or some less expensive Motorolas and older Galaxies. 

5. Optimum Mobile Customer Service

The customer service from Optimum Mobile is not well-reviewed. If you need it, you can find one of their stores or reach them online through a chat on their website as well as through phone support during the day.  

6. Optimum Mobile Customer Reviews

Let’s see what customers have to say about Optimum Mobile’s Service. 

Trustpilot score: 1.3 stars out of 5

“Altice Mobile/Optimum Mobile is the worst company I have ever had any dealings with. I don’t know where to begin regarding how unprofessional and money hungry the company is. It started with me agreeing to sign up with them as part of their customer retention efforts because I was thinking of leaving Optimum mobile altogether. After 30 days I decided to stay with my current carrier and never switched over or activated service with them so, they insisted that I paid for the cost of the phone and charged me a few months of late fees ($10 a month) for service they never rendered because they claim my service was still active. Let’s move forward 8 months later, they claim that I owe them $80+ because I had an outstanding balance of .56 cents that was never paid. This has to be one of the worst companies in the world both in terms of their customer service and their greedy money hungry behavior.” — From Josh

“I don't understand why the service is bad for everyone on this web page. I had Altice mobile for 6 months. Everything works fine, I get my 5g service over 200mps on S20 and Iphone 12, also 4g works with out a problem on 6s plus. Yes they cut you off when you go over 20gb, but that's enough data for an average user. I highly recommend Altice. You can't get a better deal with 5g speeds.” — From Art

Money Saving Pro score: 1.3 stars out of 5

“Service is the worst. Text messages delayed coming in. Missed calls you don’t see. Customer service members treat you like garbage. No resolution from customer support. They don’t help you. They don’t prorate the bill if you leave to another service. If you leave a day after coverage they charge you the month and remove all discounts and up charge you. Porting my number took 5 attempts and they send you through the customer retention department first every time to try to get you to stay and don’t want to give you the port information. I had to call with my other carrier on the line before they even started working on porting my number. Went weeks cause they give you the run around. If you complain they say it’s company policy and hang up. No help whatsoever” — From Ricardo

“I signed up in Jan. 2020 under Altice for $20 per month for life. It was awful at first starting with customer service to extremely slow service to no service. It was so bad, I almost went back to Verizon. I stick it out…..and glad I did. The customer service is not great…..but much better now. Actually, I haven’t needed customer service since I first joined. The phone service has improved greatly since they run T-Mobile now. Everyone’s experiences are different…..mine went from terrible to completely satisfied especially since it’s only $20.” — From Nate

7. Optimum Mobile: Review Summary

Optimum Mobile is not our favorite MVNO, but if you are an Optimum Internet customer and want to consolidate your accounts then a line or two at Optimum Mobile can be right for you. Overall, Optimum Mobile provides good service, but when the chips are down we would recommend another MVNO over this one.

Make sure to check out our carrier reviews on our website to figure out which carrier is right for you!