Suddenlink Review: Pricing, Packages, and More
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Suddenlink is now Optimum, but you can get the same great service under a different name.
Price: Starting at $29.99/mo.
Channel count: 200–340+
Internet speeds: 200 Mbps–940 Mbps
Is Suddenlink good?
We like Suddenlink service for its competitively priced internet packages and fast download speeds. Suddenlink finally did away with the data caps on its cheap internet plans, so you can look forward to unlimited data even on its Internet 100 plan.
Suddenlink’s cable TV plans aren’t too shabby either—there are plenty of channels, and you’ll get HBO included with the Premier TV package. But you can’t get standalone TV with Suddenlink, and you won’t get discounted prices on TV and internet bundles.
Pros and cons of Suddenlink
Pros
- Super-fast internet speeds
- Strong channel lineups
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No contracts
Cons
- No standalone TV packages
- No discounts on internet and TV bundles
Best Suddenlink internet and TV packages
* For the first 12 months.
Suddenlink internet
What internet speeds does Suddenlink offer?
Suddenlink offers download speeds from 100 Mbps to 940 Mbps (1 Gbps).
With fair pricing and high download speeds, Suddenlink internet plans give its biggest competitors—Spectrum, Frontier FiberOptic, and AT&T Fiber—a run for their money.
Suddenlink’s upload speeds are good unless you’re a YouTube star who puts massive videos on your channel every day. Otherwise, the speeds should be more than enough to update your social media.
Not sure which plan is right for you? Learn more about Suddenlink internet service.
Suddenlink internet packages
| Package | Introductory price* | Download speeds up to | Upload speeds up to | Data cap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 100 | $29.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | 5 Mbps | None | View Plan |
| Internet 300 | $39.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | 10 Mbps | None | View Plan |
| Internet 500 | $59.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | 20 Mbps | None | View Plan |
| Internet 1 Gig | $79.99/mo. | 940 Mbps | 35 Mbps | None | View Plan |
* For the first 12 months.
Suddenlink cable TV
Suddenlink has three TV packages with channel counts ranging between 225 and 340 channels. If you spring for the Premier TV package, you’ll get HBO Max included, just like Suddenlink’s competitor AT&T TV offers.
Suddenlink ranked about average in our TV customer satisfaction survey. Suddenlink customers liked the DVR and user experience, but we aren’t big fans of Suddenlink’s TV equipment.
However, these TV plans aren’t standalone—you have to bundle them together with an internet plan. In the table below, you’ll see how much each plan adds to your total Suddenlink bill, but we suggest you check out the bundles table for a clearer picture of your potential monthly costs.
We’ve got a lot more to say on Suddenlink TV service. Check out our in-depth review.
Suddenlink cable TV packages
| Package | Introductory price* | Channel count | Popular channels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suddenlink Value | $75.00/mo. | 225+ | Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, FXX | View Plan |
| Suddenlink Select | $95.00/mo. | 290+ | STARZ® ENCORE, NFL Network, Disney Junior | View Plan |
| Suddenlink Premier | $115.00/mo. | 340+ | HBO®, ESPNU, Pac-12 Networks | View Plan |
* For the first 12 months.
Suddenlink streaming
When you get Suddenlink internet, Suddenlink offers its streaming device, Suddenlink Stream, for $5 per month. Suddenlink Stream has all the apps you’d expect, like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. But it’s cheaper in the long run to buy your own streaming device, so we suggest you check those out instead.
Suddenlink channel guide
With Suddenlink’s TV and internet combos, you get one of three channel lineups. Value TV, Select TV, and Premier TV have 225+, 290+, and 340+ channels respectively.
Value TV has top choices like Disney Channel, ESPN, and HGTV. If you’re looking for more family channels, Select TV has Disney Junior and TeenNick. Premier TV’s specialty channels include HBO, Pac-12 Networks, and Big Ten Network.
The right cable channels can make or break your night. Find the Suddenlink channel lineup that has all your favorites.
Suddenlink bundles
Want both internet and TV? Suddenlink offers combinations of the two services at a discounted rate. And if you add home phone to the internet and TV mix, it’s only $10 more for the first 12 months.
Looking to save some cash? Check out Suddenlink bundles.
Suddenlink internet + TV packages
An internet and TV bundle is a great way to stay connected and get your favorite shows. We recommend bundling with Premier TV because—in addition to having the most channels—it comes with HBO included.
| Package | Introductory price* | Download speeds up to | Channel count | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 100 and Value TV | $104.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | 225+ channels | View Plan |
| Internet 300 and Value TV | $114.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | 225+ channels | View Plan |
| Internet 500 and Value TV | $134.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | 225+ channels | View Plan |
| Internet 500 and Select TV | $154.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | 290+ channels | View Plan |
| Internet 1 Gig and Select TV | $174.99/mo. | 940 Mbps | 290+ channels | View Plan |
| Internet 1 Gig and Premier TV | $194.99/mo. | 940 Mbps | 340+ channels | View Plan |
* For the first 12 months.
Suddenlink internet + phone packages
A home phone is excellent to have for emergencies. If you’re looking for one in an affordable package, go with Internet 100 and Phone. It’s the cheapest way to stay connected with the world.
| Package | Introductory price* | Download speeds up to | Phone plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 100 and Phone | $44.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | Unlimited local and long distance | View Plan |
| Internet 300 and Phone | $59.99/mo. | 400 Mbps | Unlimited local and long distance | View Plan |
| Internet 500 and Phone | $74.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | Unlimited local and long distance | View Plan |
| Internet 1 Gig and Phone | $94.99/mo. | 940 Mbps | Unlimited local and long distance | View Plan |
* For the first 12 months.
Suddenlink internet + TV + phone packages
Internet 1 Gig + Premier TV + Phone is Suddenlink’s top tier bundle. You’ll get the best of everything Suddenlink has to offer: fast internet, top TV channels, and unlimited calls.
All that “best of everything” comes with a pretty hefty price tag, though. Sure, Suddenlink includes phone with no additional charges to the TV and internet price. But if you’re looking to save cash, Internet 100 + Value TV + Phone will still take care of most people’s needs.
| Package | Introductory price* | Download speeds up to | Channel count | Phone plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 100, Value TV, and Phone | $119.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | 225+ channels | Unlimited local and long distance | View Plan |
| Internet 300, Value TV, and Phone | $129.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | 225+ channels | Unlimited local and long distance | View Plan |
| Internet 500, Select TV, and Phone | $169.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | 290+ channels | Unlimited local and long distance | View Plan |
| Internet 1 Gig, Premier TV, and Phone | $209.99/mo. | 940 Mbps | 340+ channels | Unlimited local and long distance | View Plan |
* For the first 12 months.
Suddenlink equipment and features
Suddenlink’s high speeds, prices, and equipment set it apart from the competition.
Suddenlink unique features
Keep these cool things about Suddenlink in mind:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Download speeds up to 940 Mbps
- All-in-one internet and TV device available for lease
- Altice Gateway 6 modem/router combo
Suddenlink deals and promotions
Right now you’ll get HBO® at no extra charge with any Premier TV bundle.
Suddenlink vs. competitors
You’ll find Suddenlink in pockets across the US, but its biggest service areas are Texas, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Oklahoma. Some of its biggest competitors are AT&T, Frontier, and Earthlink, but Suddenlink holds its own.
AT&T’s fiber service tends to be more reliable and offers more affordable plans than Suddenlink internet prices. AT&T also offers streaming TV, but it’s a bit more pricey than Suddenlink’s TV packages. Still, AT&T is an attractive alternative to Suddenlink, unless you live in an area where AT&T offers only its outdated DSL internet service (in that case, go with Suddenlink).
We’re not huge fans of Frontier around these parts because its DSL network is dilapidated and its TV service is missing in action. But at least it has no data caps and includes internet equipment in its service cost, so it’s an okay fallback if you’re afraid of running into Suddenlink’s data limits.
Earthlink plans tend to be on the pricier side, and its internet speeds usually aren’t the fastest. Instead, Earthlink’s shtick is offering phenomenal customer service. Suddenlink’s customer support isn’t the worst, but if you want to be treated thoughtfully by your internet service provider, Earthlink is the way to go.
Final take
Suddenlink TV and internet bundles are a little rich for our blood—you’d have to dig pretty deep into your couch cushions to find enough loose change for those big price tags.
But if you’re just in the market for internet, Suddenlink should definitely be on your radar. We’re big fans of Suddenlink internet’s low prices, unlimited data, and no-annual-contract policy.
Methodology
Our experts have logged hundreds of hours researching Suddenlink’s internet and TV plans and bundles in order to help you decide if Suddenlink is the right provider for you. For more information on our process, read our “How We Rank” guide.
Suddenlink FAQ
Does Suddenlink have cable TV?
Suddenlink offers four cable TV packages:
- Core TV—200+ channels for $75.00/mo. for the first 12 mos.
- Value TV—225+ channels for $75.00/mo. for the first 12 mos.
- Select TV—290+ channels for $95.00/mo. for the first 12 mos.
- Premier TV—340+ channels for $115.00/mo. for the first 12 mos.
How much does Suddenlink TV cost?
Suddenlink TV services costs between $75.00 per month and $115.00 per month.
What is Suddenlink's basic cable price?
Suddenlink basic cable costs $34.99 per month and will get you around 30 channels. But you’ll get 200+ channels for $75.00 per month if you go with Suddenlink Core TV. That’s over six times the channels for about twice the price.
What channels do you get with basic cable?
Suddenlink’s Value TV packages get you Disney Channel, ESPN, Animal Planet, all your local channels, and more. If you consider a channel essential, Value TV probably has it—it’s one of the best basic channel lineups we’ve seen.
If you want to see for yourself, check Suddenlink’s full channel lineups.
How do I contact Suddenlink customer service?
You can reach Suddenlink customer service at 1-877-794-2724 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (CST) and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (CST). To learn more, head over to our full review of Suddenlink customer service.
Disclaimer:
‡Visa® Reward Card: Offer is not available to individuals who have previously participated in an Optimum Visa Reward Card promotion within the past 12 months. Visa Reward Card will be mailed to customers who maintain promotion and remain in good standing with no past due or returned payments throughout first 90 days after account activation. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Limit 1 per customer. Visa Reward Card cannot be used to pay Optimum monthly bill. Card value expires in 12 mos. Visa Reward Card may be used when making purchases from merchants in the U.S. and District of Columbia everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. No ATM access. Terms and Conditions apply to Reward Cards. See Cardholder Agreement for details. Visa Reward Card is issued by MetaBank®, N.A., Member FDIC pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. This optional offer is not a MetaBank product or service nor does MetaBank endorse this offer. Card is distributed and serviced by InComm Financial Services, Inc., which is licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
