In a Nutshell
pros
- Choice of three plans – from 200 Mbps to 1 gig
- Free installation when you order online
- Low-cost internet access to students and senior citizens
cons
- Only available in 17 states
- 1 Gig internet not available at all locations
Suddenlink at a Glance
Best for: Students, seniors, families
Starting Price: $73.50/month for 1 Gig, $33.50/month for 200 Mbps
Connection Type: Fiber, cable
Download Speeds: Up to 940 Mbps
Coverage: 17
Money-Back Guarantee?: 30 days
What Services and Features Does Suddenlink Offer?
Suddenlink operates in 17 states. It serves much of Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia. It serves parts of California, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, and Virginia.
Suddenlink’s offers plenty of incentives to choose its internet service over those of its competitors. These include:
- Free standard installation when you order a new internet service online
- Contract buyout for up to $500 when switching to Suddenlink from another ISP
- $10/month discount on plans from sister company Altice Mobile
- $200 prepaid Visa card (goes into effect after three monthly billing cycles)
- Complimentary subscriptions to Cheddar News (live news) and CuriosityStream (documentaries)
Prices, Plans, and Value for Money
Suddenlink is competitively priced. It usually offers three plans (200 Mbps, 400 Mbps, and 940 Mbps) although in some areas it only offers 200 or 400 Mbps. The table below shows prices for the different plans, including the obligatory $3.50/month network enhancement fee (which only appears at the checkout) but excluding taxes, optional equipment fee, and optional add-ons. Discounts are offered to eligible students and senior citizens.
As mentioned in the intro, Suddenlink offers cable TV courtesy of parent company Altice USA. To access this feature, you’ll need to purchase a Suddenlink streaming device (free with 1 Gig plan, $5 per month with all other plans). You’ll then need to choose from one of the following options:
- Basic TV with 50 channels including local programming - $10/per month + equipment and fees
- Core TV with 220 channels including HGTV and USA Network - $20/per month + equipment and fees
- Select TV with 340 channels including MLB and NFL Network - $35/per month + equipment and fees
- Premier TV with 420 channels including Showtime, HBO Max, and Starz - $55/per month + equipment and fees
Suddenlink also offers mobile plans and home phone plans:
- $10/month discount on any Altice Mobile plan
- Home phone with unlimited local and long-distance calling (to anywhere in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Island) for $10/month
Ease of Use, Hardware and Setup
After subscribing, Suddenlink will run a line test to see if a pre-existing connection is wired to its network and guide you through self-installation. If there is no pre-existing connection, it will schedule an appointment for a technician to come and perform and installation.
Standard installation is free of charge. Premium installation costs $59 and includes professional installation, Wi-Fi configuration of up to six devices, and hardwiring of one device (usually a TV).
Suddenlink Security
All Suddenlink subscribers receive built-in security features that defend against viruses and malware (although Suddenlink’s website is short on details about what exactly these features entail).
For $9.99/month, Suddenlink offers device protection and virtual support on eligible current and future equipment and devices. For an additional $6.99 per month, Suddenlink will waive service visit fees when a home visit is required to resolve customer-caused in-home damage.
Suddenlink Performance
Suddenlink operates in 17 states, with broad coverage in some of these states and only partial coverage in mostly remote areas in other states. (The full list of states appears earlier in this review under “What Services and Features Does Suddenlink Offer?”).
Suddenlink usually offers fiber internet with 940 Mbps download speeds, although in some areas it only offers cable internet with max speeds of up to 400 Mbps.
Suddenlink Service
Suddenlink offers 24/7 technical support at 877-794-2724. For answers to frequently asked questions, check out the support page and virtual assistant on the Suddenlink website.
FAQ
Q: What type of internet connection does Suddenlink offer?
A: Suddenlink has three internet plans: two cable plans (200 Mbps and 400 Mbps) and one fiber plan 940 (Mbps)
Q: Where is Suddenlink currently available?
A: Suddenlink is currently available in 17 states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Q: Who owns Suddenlink?
A: Suddenlink is owned by Altice USA, Inc., a cable television provider and telecommunications company with headquarters in New York City.
Bottom Line
Suddenlink has established itself as a reliable high-speed internet service provider in many parts of the United States traditionally underserved by ISPs. In some cases it is the only fiber operator in town while in other cases it is one of many fiber internet providers. But in all cases, Suddenlink’s competitive pricing and cable add-ons make it an option worth considering.
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