Optimum is a large cable service that offers tiers. So much per month for cable, so much per month for telephone, so much per month for internet service (optonline.net). No different from Verizon, or AT&T or any other cable provider that offers tier packages. It certainly is not free. You can have cable TV service from Optimum without an ISP. The point being is that I (and several others using Optimum) USED to receive TCB post notifications, until relatively recently. I'm no techie ... just wondering what has changed?