| Service Tier / Add-On |
Monthly Starting Price |
Calling Area Covered |
Included Calling Features |
Best For |
| Optimum Phone (Bundled) |
$10.00–$20.00/mo |
Unlimited U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, & U.S.V.I. |
20+ calling features, digital voicemail, E911 |
Primary household landline, seniors, & home offices |
| Additional Phone Line |
$14.95/line/mo |
Same as primary line (up to 4 lines max) |
Independent phone number & voicemail box |
Dedicated work line, home fax machine, or rental unit |
| Optimum World Call |
+$19.95/mo |
250 minutes to 100+ global destinations |
Includes up to 30 minutes to Cuba |
Regular international calling to friends and family |
| Pay-Per-Minute International |
As low as $0.02/min |
Over 65 international destinations |
Pay-as-you-go, direct dial (011 + country code) |
Occasional overseas calls without monthly commitments |
How Optimum Home Phone Works (VoIP Technology)
Optimum Voice uses digital VoIP rather than traditional copper landline wiring:
Gateway Integration: The telephone line plugs directly into the TEL 1 port on the back of your Optimum gateway/modem (or eero-paired optical terminal).
Existing In-Home Jacks: You can connect a single cordless phone base station to broadcast to multiple handsets throughout the house, or have an Optimum technician connect the gateway directly into your home’s existing RJ-11 wall jack circuit.
Keep Your Number: You can transfer (port) your existing landline or mobile phone number to Optimum at no additional cost.
Included Standard Calling Features
Every active Optimum Voice line includes over 20 digital phone features at no extra charge:
Enhanced 911 (E911): Automatically transmits your exact street address to emergency dispatchers when 911 is dialed.
Digital Voicemail & Voicemail-to-Email: Access messages from any phone or receive audio files and transcriptions directly in your email inbox.
Caller ID with Name & Number: Displays incoming caller information on your phone and on-screen via the Sparklight/Optimum TV guide.
Call Waiting & Call Forwarding: Route incoming calls to another number or mobile phone when away from home.
Anonymous Call Blocker & VIP Ringing: Automatically reject unidentified spam callers and set custom ringtones for priority contacts.
Three-Way Calling: Host three-way conference calls directly from your handset.
Battery Backup & Power Outage Reliability
Because Optimum Voice runs over your internet gateway, it requires electrical power to operate:
Power Outage Risk: If your home loses power, your internet gateway shuts down, disabling phone service (including 911 calls).
Optional 8-to-24-Hour Battery Backup (UPS): Optimum offers an optional Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) battery backup unit for purchase (ranging from $60.00 to $120.00) to ensure 8 to 24 hours of emergency standby dial tone during local electrical blackouts.
Pros and Cons of Optimum Home Phone
Pros
Affordable Bundling: Adding a landline to an internet plan costs between $10 and $20/mo.
Wide Calling Footprint: Free unlimited long-distance calling across the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
20+ Included Features: Digital voicemail, call blocking, and caller ID included without nickel-and-dime fees.
No Long-Term Contracts: Month-to-month service with zero cancellation penalties.
Cons
Requires Active Internet: Standalone service is generally not cost-effective without an active Optimum broadband line.
Power Dependent: Requires a battery backup unit to maintain service during home power outages.
Taxes & Surcharges: Monthly phone bills incur mandatory state/federal 911 emergency and universal service fund surcharges ($3 to $6/mo).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I keep my existing phone number when switching to Optimum Voice?
Yes. Optimum supports standard local number portability (LNP), allowing you to keep your current landline or mobile phone number.
Does Optimum landline service work during a blackout?
Only if your internet gateway is plugged into an active Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) battery backup. Without battery backup, the VoIP connection drops during a power outage.
What equipment do I need for Optimum Home Phone?
You only need an Optimum-compatible gateway modem with a built-in telephone port (RJ-11) and standard corded or cordless telephone handsets.