Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
OiSTER vs Optimum
Where OiSTER and Optimum differ
| Compare |  OiSTER | Optimum ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 25 to 954 | 8,000Higher |
| Price from | DKK 18 | $30 |
| Reference plan prices | Basic: 25 kr/md, pay-as-you-go, no binding; Fri tale 100 GB: 18 kr/md promo then 109 kr/md, 100GB, 1 month; Fri tale Fri data: 49 kr/md promo then 199 kr/md, unlimited, 1 month | 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 | DKK 0 | $150 |
| Exit fee terms | Mobile broadband cancellable anytime with 30 days notice; 5G Internet 6-month tie-in | No contracts - cancel without early termination fees |
| Router | Vantiva Falcon 5G loan router included, must be returned | Rent up to $14/mo unless you opt out |
| Markets | DK | US |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 23 to 94 | Not confirmed |
| Price after contract | DKK 279 | Not confirmed |
| Mid-contract price rises | Not confirmed | Price increases after promo period ends |
| Data cap (GB) | 10 to 1,000 | Not confirmed |
| Address checker | https://oister.dk/internet/#tjekadresse | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Top download speed (Mbps) is higher at Optimum: 8,000 vs 25 to 954.
- Founded is lower at Optimum: 1996 vs 2008.
- Technology: only OiSTER offers 5G.
- Technology: only Optimum offers Cable, Fttp.
- Markets: only OiSTER offers DK.
- Markets: only Optimum offers US.
Our verdict on each
OiSTER
OiSTER is a rolling Danish MVNO that suits households wanting a month-to-month bill, sim only plans and an unlimited option at DKK 49 a month. It is a weaker choice than the cheapest listings on entry price, so buyers shopping purely on the headline figure should look elsewhere first.
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 | OiSTER | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.8HigherEntry at DKK 18 a month and unlimited at DKK 49, though the Fri tale plans rise on renewal after an introductory rate. | 8.6Entry price of $30 looks fair, but Price increases after promo period ends and a $150 setup fee weigh on the total. |
| Offer | 9.1Sim only, eSIM and wifi calling all present, plus a multi line discount, 5G technology and data allowances of 10 to 1,000 GB. | 9.8HigherSpeeds of 8,000 Mbps on terms of 1 month, with both cable and fibre available. |
| Trust | 8.7A long-standing operator: Hi3G Denmark ApS in DK since 2008, selling as an MVNO rather than a network. | 9.8HigherA US operator trading since 1996 under Optimum Communications, Inc., with US as its market. |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | OiSTER | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband providers | 35 of 124 | 36 of 124 |
| Broadband without a long contract | 14 of 46 | 15 of 46 |
If neither fits
Singtel has top download speed (mbps) at 10,000, against 25 to 954 for OiSTER and 8,000 for Optimum.
Singtel reviewSources behind this comparison
OiSTER
- oister.dk: 17 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
Every fact side by side
| Fact | OiSTER | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | 5G | Cable, Fttp |
| Contract length | 1 | 1 |
| Legal entity | Hi3G Denmark ApS | Optimum Communications, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Denmark | United States |
| Founded | 2008 | 1996Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | OiSTER | Optimum | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 25 to 954lowest quarter | 8,000highest quarter | 1,000 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 23 to 94lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 900 |
| Data cap (GB) | 10 to 1,000below the median | Not confirmed | 15 |
Median across 116 listed providers.
Pros and cons
OiSTER
Pros
- The unlimited Fri tale Fri data plan is listed at DKK 49 a month, which ranks 13 of 173 on unlimited price.
- Rolling billing at 1 month, with Basic available pay-as-you-go and no binding period.
- Sim only, eSIM, wifi calling and a multi line discount are all available, on 5G technology.
Cons
- The DKK 18 entry price ranks 43 of 258 on the listings compared, so entry pricing is mid-table rather than the cheapest on offer.
- The Fri tale plans are published at a promotional rate before a higher standard rate, so the ongoing cost on the same plan name is the figure to budget.
- Coverage is limited to DK, so residents outside that market have nothing here to switch to.
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
OiSTER
Who it suits
- Households in DK that want a rolling monthly bill and can cancel mobile broadband with notice.
- Readers who want unlimited data at DKK 49 a month rather than the cheapest possible entry price.
- Families running more than one line, since a multi line discount applies alongside eSIM setup for a new handset.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants to buy from the network operator instead of an MVNO: GETESA, Lonestar Cell MTN and yesss! all sell as networks.
- Shoppers ranking purely on the lowest price from, since DKK 18 sits at position 43 of 258 and yesss! or GETESA belong on the same shortlist for that column.
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 | OiSTER | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
OiSTER
What is the cheapest OiSTER plan and what does it cost?+
The entry price is DKK 18 a month. Basic is the pay-as-you-go option, billed on usage with no binding period, so it works for light use and for anyone who does not want to be tied in. The two Fri tale plans sit above it, one with a capped allowance and one unlimited, so the entry figure suits a phone that lives mostly on wifi.
What will I pay when an introductory price runs out?+
The Fri tale plans are published at a promotional rate first and a higher standard rate afterwards on the same plan name, so the ongoing cost is the standard rate, not the introduction. Basic sidesteps that because it is pay-as-you-go. The unlimited plan, Fri tale Fri data, is listed at DKK 49 a month on the published pricing.
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.