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Review by Elite  - Location: Orange,New Haven,CT
- Cost: $50 per month
Good "Fast and stable"
Bad "Could be cheaper"
Overall "It's faster than any other ISP in the area."
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I've had Optimum Online since January 2002 and I'm still very happy with it in October 2013. The speeds are consistent and the connection is stable. I can't recall any downtime in recent years.
I haven't had to call tech support in many years, longer than I can remember. I don't use the mail servers, so I can't comment on them. Same with the newsgroups.
I pay $50/mo for about 18Mbit down and about 5Mbit up, which isn't too shabby. The only competitor in my area is AT&T's "Elite DSL" with download speeds "Up to 6Mbit", which is a joke.
For what I pay, it's not too bad. Could be cheaper though. I used to pay $30/mo.
member for 11 years, 3374 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated a few hours ago
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| Review by moseby - Location: Somers,Westchester,NY
- Cost Contract price not specified.
Good "The Speed Is great, The speed is GREAT 3 year later, same speed 5 years later"
Bad "Tech Support, Same as 3 years ago, keep you on hold forever, got better"
Overall "I am happy, yes I am 3 years later, happy after 5 years. 203 more days gone by since last review, still happy"
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There availability page is not correct, I purchased a modem and sync two months before it was available, make sure you register you modem within 9 days or they will CAP your modem. The speed is GREAT, I have never had any down time. A+++.
3 year later. I am happy, will not switch to FIOS, I have all there services, TV. PHONE and CABLE. March 2010 Happy
1/25/12 Still happy with the service,NO problems. TV, PHONE & INTERNET.
10/3/13 Happy Happy Happy, added ultra50.
member for 10.8 years, 3651 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 2 days ago
Comments:
| Review by erwins - Location: Hopewell Junction,Dutchess,NY
- Cost: $125 per month
- Install: about 1 days
Good "The Speed"
Bad "Nothing"
Overall "Faster than Time Warner Cable"
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I have had Optimum Broadband for six years. The only problem I have had is once or twice a year I lose the connection. But, that is easily corrected by rebooting the modem which takes less than a minute. I've never had to call tech support. Best broadband service I've used.
member for 12.3 years, 445 visits, last login: 10 days ago
lodged 18 days ago
Comments:
| Review by blohner - Location: Cortlandt Manor,Westchester,NY
- Cost: $45 per month
- Install: about 3 days
Good "Good pricepoint. Very few outages"
Bad "Not a tier 1 provider - slower connections on peering"
Overall "Simply works - can't beat the price/value ratio"
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Update September 2013:
During the recent speed changes/upgrades I got moved to ULTRA101 without paying the regular price... Consistent 118 down/38 up 24x7 so far. No reason to go anywhere else
Update October 2012:
Almost 10 years of OOL (with one year FIOS in between) and I am a very happy camper.
Had some issues with disconnects a month ago... Tec replaced the modem with an Arris - now on 8 channel downstream bonding - and found the issue with water in one of the connectors on the outdoors run of my line... Back to 60/8 24x7 ... Thinking that I am still paying the same as I did 10 years ago is amazing in itself... - OOL rocks!
Update November 2011:
Area got switched to 4 channel bonding downloads... Boost+ is now running at 60/8 24x7... Very happy camper... With this service level and price FIOS has no chance of getting me back...
Update June 2011:
Boost+ is running stable. The slowest I have seen was 44/8 during peak. Happy camper...
Update May 2011:
I came back to OOL. Got an offer for Boost+ for 44.90 for 1 year... Got my Docsis 3 modem and am pulling 52/8 any time day/night... a happy camper again. Will stay if it stays that way...
Update January 2010:
I left Optimum Online and switched to FIOS.
I had switched back to non boost and the slowdowns persisted. As such FIOS is a better value to me. For $55 monthly I get 25mbit/s up and down with no peak slowdowns...
OOL has treated me good for 8 years but they are not aggressive enough in providing bandwidth to customers.
Would I come back if I have a persistent problem with Verizon: Yes
Update February 2006:
After having noticeable peak slowdowns on non boost downstream (regularly going to around 6-4Mbit/s) I switched to boost. Boost service has been good to me for 6+ month with a brief problem in January. Online Support, One Tech Visit and subsequent work on the plant has solved the issue and I am stable again. FIOS is in town now as well but OOL has treated me so well for the last 6+ years I am not inclined to switch at this point.
Update October 2 2005:
Three days in a row with no slowdowns let me believe that the issue has been solved and OOL is once again rock solid and fast...
Update September 26 2005:
Two weeks later and the slowdowns only got worse. I am slowly losing my hope.... Tonight was the first night where I started noticing them at 5:30pm instead of 7:30pm....
Update September 13 2005:
For two weeks I am now experiencing slowdowns in the evening on the downstream leg. The slowdown go as low as less than 1Mbit/s downstream - with significantly raised ping times and jitter. I didn't notice them while browsing first but while making a call on my Vonage line.
Calling support so far has not proven helpful - I have asked for the issue to be escalated to networks as this seems to be a problem impacting multiple areas on the Ossining CMTS. My Reliability and Tech Support ratings are down for now to reflect this issue.
Note: A similar issue happend last year around the same time - but Engineer88 was still helping in this group and was able to get it addressed in a professional way. It seems that the same is very challenging going through the regular support channels.
Original Review November 13 2002:
10Mbit/s rocks! I frequently work from home and use Extranet VPN, I get over 7Mbit/s on the VPN which allows me to access files on the file server almost as fast as in the office.
Most internet users can only dream about speeds like this. And for the price, can't beat it.
The newsserver is not so good but, again, for 49.99 I would be happy with just the bare connection to the internet without news, mail, etc. Can always get those somewhere else depending on my needs.
No servers allowed: Good, otherwise those speeds could not be offered for this price....
As long as the speeds stay I would not consider any other way of accessing the internet!
member for 11.2 years, 5731 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 18 days ago
Comments:
| Review by goldensam - Location: Oceanside,Nassau,NY
- Cost: $50 per month
- Install: about 1 days
Good "Boost Plus is fast."
Bad "Problem fixing took months"
Overall "Great when it works, long fix times when it does not"
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I have had a 384/128 DSL connection with Speakeasy for $59.99 per month -(great ISP, but they are in a major "oversold bandwith" situation here in NY.
Installed OOL for my Sister In Law, and was impressed so I decided to give it a try. I got a call in March from OOL offering a 30 day trial. Due to a travel schedule, I requested that the modem not arrive until the first week of April. Well, it showed up on April 2, and I was online as soon as I ran the cable, and unplugged my DSL bridge.
This is one really fast service. At 384 kbs streaming video was OK, but not good enough to enjoy. I ususally had to wait for it to "rebuffer". Not now, it's the way it should be.
The connection has been up the week I have had it, and did not require any contact with anyone at OOL to get it up. Plugged it in, registered and I was good to go!
I did a few speedtests, and got between 50kbs and 2609kbs. I saw faster from MS servers as well.
Pre Sales: Didn't know much at all.
They were unable to answer if OOL uses DHCP or PPPOE-(they use DHCP)
Did not know what a VPN is
Told me that OOL now uses static IP addresses-(don't, although the lease times are long)
So far a great service, at amazing speeds for a really great price.
Mark
3/8/2004 -UPDATE: -(prompted to do so...)
11/2002-Moved to a new house, and got "bricked". Took one very pleasent phone call to get up and running.
3/8/2004 - Only downtime has been due to local power outages, not Optonline. During the 2003 Blackout OOL was working when my power was restored that night.
Speed has gone down with the same "Sharkfin" modem. Eventually I will swap it with with whatever is current. Also got the IO package with the Sony Boxes. Need to swap them too, they are terrible. Constant resets and loss of usage.
Uploads haven't changed, still a bit below 1Mb, but downloads have gone down. Now about 2-5 Mb, but it depends on day/time. Not that I'm complaining.
I can say that the service is totally reliable. It is always up!
Price went up to $50, and I consider that steep, but the speed -(although slower than it was) is very good.
IO with the Sony boxes sucks, and I really have to swap out for the newer boxes. The only reason I haven't is the new boxes have the stupid access card is on the front of the box, and I have a two year old son. How long until he finds the card and yanks it!
As for rankings, I am changing the value for the buck due to the price increase. Connection reliability to max.
Thanks,
mark
Still have the service. Download speeds have increased to 9000.
mark
Still have the service, despite FIOS being available.
Get pretty close to the 15mbs down and 2mbs up. Reliability has been rock solid, with not downtime and only occasional slowdowns.
I don't use the optonline DNS servers or optonline for newsgroups. Those services are not good at all.
Have become entirely dependent upon VPN for connectivity to work, and have not been disappointed. Sessions are never disconnected and the speed and latency is excellent.
I can say that I am 100% satisfied with the service at this point.
Thanks,
Mark
4/17/2011 update
Just bad... Upload goes to nothing depending strictly on time of day. They sent techs that cut off one room that had a cable box due to "ingress" he said could take down the whole node. Rewired from the pole, added a D3 modem and redid all the work the last CV cable tech did. Same problem, so the "ingress"was probably a complete lie, and now I have to rewire a room.
Time of day should be a full indication of network saturation, but no joy.. They just want to have someone else do the same stuff the last guy did.
I've been with CV to almost 20 years but it might be time to move on.... Sucks, the IPad app is really nice and I was looking forward to the network DVR.
Thanks,
Mark
member for 14.1 years, 1200 visits, last login: 26 days ago
updated 26 days ago
Comments:
 | | Finally seems fixed Got a alot of special attention and daily calls. Finally seems to be working well, and I'm pretty happy. Had them update me to Boost Plus, and I'm getting between 52 and 65 mbs down and a pretty steady 7-8mbs up. | |
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| Review by moes - Location: Cedar City,Iron,UT
- Cost: $139 per month
- Install: about 4 days
Good "Pricing and speeds great"
Bad "can not move the modem, something about they have to move it"
Overall "loving it!"
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Great service, speeds are constant 30mbit down and 5mbit up. no service interuptions, Cable tv is lacking in some area's but equipment is new, but lacks ondemand, something about them not having enough subs for it. hopefully with the charter buy out, they will fix that issue.
member for 3.8 years, 1461 visits, last login: 3 days ago
lodged 48 days ago
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| Review by bsich - Location: New City,Rockland,NY
- Cost: $200 per month
Good "Ultra 101"
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Got my bill, on the side was a note I have 100M down and 30M up at no additional charge. I called the 800 number for more information. They told me it was active. Ran speedtest, The needle pinned at over 100 and the upload was over 30. I am a very happy customer.
member for 12.8 years, 103 visits, last login: 20 days ago
updated 50 days ago
Comments:
| Review by oneillonl - Location: Copiague,Suffolk,NY
- Cost: $111 per month (24 month contract)
Good "Rate was good at first, until they moved their Headquarters out of state"
Bad "Dial 611, always get NJ Reps who believe they are 'The Jet Set', will disconnect you when you have $1.00 past due"
Overall "Big Mistake for Optimum to send all calls to NJ, they will tell you Cablevision offices on L. I. do not exist"
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To speak to a NJ Rep when all services were cut off, because I was past due 1 month, as a Disabled Senior who lives alone, being told 'NO', your doctor cannot fax medical need for phone service, Call 911 if you have a medical problem, Disabled does not protect you, with ignorance the Rep refused to wait 10 days for payment, cut all services. Honestly NJ Optimum has no knowledge of Cablevision!
Rather hang a wire outside my window in the hope to pick up a satellite.
It began on Long Island many years ago; Cablevision sold us out!
member for 52 days, 0 visits, last login: 52 days ago
updated 52 days ago
Comments:
| | It began on Long Island many years ago; Cablevision sold us Cablevision is Optimum and the corporate office for them is in Bethpage, NY Long Island. I don't know what you have been told but they have call centers in Long Island and NJ. | |
|  royphil345Premium
join:2004-12-10
Lakewood, OH
kudos:3
2 edits | Re It's probably outsourced customer support and they have no idea where Cablevision offices are. Cable support usually comes from a different service area now, so the workers can't change their own accounts and friend's accounts in their own service area. All the companies are doing it. It's all about the bottom line, not serving the customer these days. | |
| | | Speed Test Optimum online Speed Test isn't working. | |
| | | The truth Customer Service has offices in a number of locations. New Jersey, Long Island, and Connecticut ALL have them.
TSG, or Technical Support Group, their help desk, is located in Long Island as well as Shelton, CT.
I worked in the Shelton office in 2006-2008. Best thing I ever did was get out of there. They got rid of all of the real techs and brought in people from grocery stores. | |
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| Review by TamaraB - Location: Bronx,Bronx,NY
- Cost: $90 per month
- Install: about 2 days
Good "Fast delivery and install. Speeds greater than advertised."
Overall "Very happy camper"
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So, I moved. Although my Clearwire worked as before, I decided to try cable, since it was available in my new location.
I called Optimum on a Wednesday, ordered InternetOnly service, paid by CC, and was up and running by Friday. I went for the basic 15/2 service, and was surprised that It clocked at 20/2 from day one.
I opted for the free self-install, but the tech came in and set up the modem (a Cisco2203C). It took all of about 20 minutes, most of that time was waiting for the cable to come to life.
I purchased the Belkin N600DB router and it works well with the modem and with my Macs and iPhones.
Sofar it's a screamer, very pleased.
UPDATE 13 May 2012
I updated my basic service to Boost Plus 50/8 service. The new modem arrived via Fedex in 5 days. I swapped out the modem, called Tech support and within 15 minutes the speed went to 50Mb+
Easy and no hassle upgrade.
»speedtest.net/result/2736135934.png
Update 28 May 2013
I replaced the Belkin router with an Apple Airport Extreme, which connected to the modem without incident. It now runs several Macs on my local net.
The service has been stable and reliable. Since initial install I have taken advantage of OOL's Web and email hosting for Boost customers, and moved one of my domains there. It too has been trouble free and fast. Don't expect any competent tech support beyond "have you rebooted your computer" however. Tech support seem to be clueless about their own services, especially how to manage their web and email hosting.
Recently, I installed a mail and web server on my connection, opened ports 25 and 80, and run 2 websites (2 domains) and all my personal email right from my home, saying goodbye to google! Still a very happy camper after more than a year.
While the $69.90/Mo Boost (after tax) price may seem steep, I do not have cable TV, and stream all my entertainment over the net, I run 2 websites and my email on the connection, a third on OOL's co-hosting service. Streaming Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video is smooth as silk even while downloading GB+ files. So, if you make heavy use of your connection, OOL is a good choice, and not expensive for what you get; perfect for chord cutters, and DIY geeks!
One last point, I often take my laptop out. I use Optimum WIFI quite a bit when away from home. There are tons of access points all over the city (NYC), which is great for connecting my Macbook, iPad, and iPhone to Wifi. It's not very fast, but it is available, and included with the base Internet connection. Their WIFI network recognizes the MAC address of your devices, so connections are fast. Not a bad perk!
Update:
A couple of months ago I upgraded to Ultra 101/35 Business class. The speeds exceed advertised, tech support is 24/7 Americans and excellent. What more can I say? It's simply top-notch!
»www.speedtest.net/my-result/2888529924
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member for 12.9 years, 4831 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 54 days ago
Comments:
| Review by user31 - Location: Montville,Morris,NJ
- Cost: $65 per month
Good "Very reliable connection, no caps or throttling problems, Good Tech Support"
Bad "Speeds are not always consistent, but still incredibly fast, even during peak hours"
Overall "Even if FIOS was an option, I would choose Optimum"
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-Any technical issues were solved quickly and easily via Optimum support, although hold times ranged from 15 minutes to 2 minutes.
-50mbs with optimum boost plus is advertised, 60mbs is usually the speed that is achieved during all non-peak hours, during peak hours, the speed can drop to about half (which is still fast)
-I use about 400+GB of bandwidth a month and have not been throttled or contacted about excessive use
-Billed as advertised
-Was provided with an Arris DOCSIS 3.0 modem (which can get hot)
Overall, I am very satisfied with the speed and the price of the internet.
UPDATE:
-Internet speeds have been upgraded for no extra charge, now getting 100mb/s download and 30mb/s.
-They also give web hosting with 250gb of bandwidth each month, for no additional charge
- I now use around 1TB a month and have seen no throttling/penalties because of this
-Optimum is one of the few isps that take advantage of Netflix's peering options and is consistently ranked highly in Netflix speed tests that are released monthly. They also give access to Netflix SuperHD on supported devices.
-Optimum hotspots are usually fast and available in many places
member for 2.8 years, 2 visits, last login: 59 days ago
updated 59 days ago
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