Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
4th Utility vs Optimum
Where 4th Utility and Optimum differ
| Compare |  4th Utility | Optimum ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 2,300 | 8,000Higher |
| Price from | £13.99 | $30 |
| Reference plan prices | Full Fibre 1Gbps: GBP 10.00/mo for 4 months then GBP 23.00/mo, 1000Mbps, 24 months; Full Fibre 500Mbps: GBP 21.00/mo for 6 months then GBP 46.00/mo, 500Mbps, 24 months; Full Fibre 2.3Gbps: GBP 10.00/mo for 4 months then GBP 33.00/mo, 2300Mbps, 24 months | 300 Mbps Internet: $30/mo, 300 Mbps, no contract; 500 Mbps Internet: $40/mo, 500 Mbps, no contract; 8 Gig Fiber Internet: $90/mo, 8000 Mbps, no contract |
| Setup fee | £0 | $150 |
| Mid-contract price rises | price rises each March in contract by GBP 4.00 | Price increases after promo period ends |
| Markets | GB | US |
| Exit fee terms | Not confirmed | No contracts - cancel without early termination fees |
| Router | Not confirmed | Rent up to $14/mo unless you opt out |
| Social tariff | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Address checker | https://4thutility.co.uk/ | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Optimum scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Top download speed (Mbps) is higher at Optimum: 8,000 vs 2,300.
- Founded is lower at Optimum: 1996 vs 2017.
- Technology: only Optimum offers Cable.
- Contract length: only 4th Utility offers 12, 24.
- Markets: only 4th Utility offers GB.
- Markets: only Optimum offers US.
Our verdict on each
4th Utility
4th Utility suits households inside its single UK market that want a full fibre line reaching 2,300 Mbps and no joining charge. Read the renewal figure before you commit, though: the entry price of £13.99 sits far below the ongoing cost, with the rule that price rises each March in contract by GBP 4.00.
Optimum
Optimum suits US households that want a fast line with no contract attached, and its top plan reaches 8,000 Mbps. What you weigh is the joining cost: a setup fee of $150 and a router that is rented unless you opt out.
Score breakdown
| Area | 4th Utility | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherEntry price £13.99 with a setup fee of £0, against the rule that price rises each March in contract by GBP 4.00. | 8.6Entry price of $30 looks fair, but Price increases after promo period ends and a $150 setup fee weigh on the total. |
| Offer | 9.1Speeds to 2,300 Mbps on fibre, a social tariff and contract terms of 1, 12 and 24. | 9.8HigherSpeeds of 8,000 Mbps on terms of 1 month, with both cable and fibre available. |
| Trust | 8.3Founded 2017 and based in GB, with support on phone, chat and help centre. | 9.8HigherA US operator trading since 1996 under Optimum Communications, Inc., with US as its market. |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | 4th Utility | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
Additional countries for 4th Utility: 1. Additional countries for Optimum: 1.
What we checked
4th Utility
- 4thutility.co.uk: 9 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- uswitch.com: 4 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Optimum
- highspeedinternet.com: 5 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 4 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- allconnect.com: 3 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- broadbandnow.com: 1 fact, checked September 30, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | 4th Utility | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband providers | 43 of 124 | 36 of 124 |
| Full fibre providers | 29 of 107 | 23 of 107 |
| Broadband without a long contract | 18 of 46 | 15 of 46 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | 4th Utility | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Fttp | Cable, FttpCovers more |
| Contract length | 1, 12, 24Covers more | 1 |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Optimum Communications, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 2017 | 1996Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | 4th Utility | Optimum | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 2,300above the median | 8,000highest quarter | 1,000 |
Median across 116 listed providers.
Pros and cons
4th Utility
Pros
- Entry price £13.99 places 4th Utility at 9 of 95 on price from, close to the top of that ranking.
- The setup fee is £0, and the provider sits at 1 of 86 on that measure.
- Speeds of 2,300 Mbps on full fibre sit well above the median top speed of 1,000 Mbps.
Cons
- Contract prices move upward under the rule that price rises each March in contract by GBP 4.00, so a long term bills more the longer it runs.
- The listed reference plan prices open low and renew much higher, so the introductory months are the cheapest part of the deal.
- Service is limited to GB, so it is not an option for readers outside that market.
Optimum
Pros
- No contract: No contracts - cancel without early termination fees, so moving or switching does not cost an early termination charge.
- Top-end speed: 8,000 Mbps, well above Astound at 5,000 Mbps.
- Choice of line type: cable and fttp, so cable and fibre both come from one provider.
Cons
- Setup fee of $150 ranks 86 out of 86 on the site's setup fee table, the expensive end of that list.
- Rent up to $14/mo unless you opt out adds a monthly equipment cost unless you opt out and bring your own kit.
- Renewal risk: Price increases after promo period ends, so the figure you pay after the promo period can sit above the $30 entry price.
Who each suits
4th Utility
Who it suits
- Households inside its single market that want an entry price of £13.99 with no setup charge.
- Heavy users who need 2,300 Mbps on a full fibre line for a shared home or working from home.
- People on low incomes looking for a social tariff, and buyers who want the choice of terms in 1, 12 and 24.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers outside the UK, since 4th Utility covers GB while EarthLink lists fttp, 5G and satellite and can reach homes fibre does not.
- Anyone chasing the biggest headline speed, because Abissnet advertises 10,000 Mbps against 4th Utility's 2,300 Mbps.
- Buyers who want a cable option, since Astound sells cable and fttp while 4th Utility is fibre only.
Optimum
Who it suits
- Households that want a very fast line but no long commitment, and would otherwise settle for Astound at 5,000 Mbps.
- People likely to move or switch provider often, since No contracts - cancel without early termination fees keeps leaving cheap.
- US households that want one provider for both cable and fibre lines: cable and fttp.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers outside US, who can compare EarthLink instead for fttp, 5G and satellite and a wider choice of ways to connect.
- Fibre-only buyers, who may prefer Abissnet running fttp across its footprint.
- Shoppers who want no joining bill, since the $150 setup fee ranks 86 out of 86 and Astound's terms are worth checking first.
Country by country
| Country | 4th Utility | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
4th Utility
What is the cheapest way in to 4th Utility?+
The entry point is the social tariff at £13.99 a month, and the setup fee is £0, so joining does not carry a joining charge. The full fibre plans are sold separately and start at a higher rate, so the standard plans are the route for anyone not eligible for the social tariff.
Do 4th Utility prices stay the same after the first few months?+
Not on the full fibre plans. The listed reference plan prices open at a low introductory rate for a handful of months, then step up to a renewal rate for the rest of the term, with the entry level plan renewing highest in the range. Add the rule that price rises each March in contract by GBP 4.00 and the bill keeps climbing.
Optimum
What does Optimum cost to get started?+
The entry price is $30 a month, the cheapest plan on the list. Installation is a separate setup fee of $150. Budget for both in the first month, because the setup cost does not appear in the monthly price and it sits at the expensive end of the site's setup fee table.
Do I have to sign a contract with Optimum?+
Contract terms apply: No contracts - cancel without early termination fees. Plan terms are listed as 1 month, so the commitment is measured in months rather than years. That makes Optimum a straightforward option if you expect to move home, since leaving does not trigger an early termination charge.
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