RCN Internet Review: Keeping Americans Connected
RCN is a high-speed internet service provider (ISP) that offers cable and fiber-optic service in select areas.
RCN was founded in 1993 and has been an ISP since 1997. By 2018, it had become the nation’s sixth-largest cable provider. I was a subscriber of RCN for years until it was transitioned to Wave Broadband a few years back. However, during that time they provided excellent service with great customer service.
About RCN
RCN is a high-speed internet service provider (ISP) that offers cable and fiber-optic service in select areas. Founded in 1993 as a cable television and telephone company, RCN entered the ISP space in 1997. By 2018, it had become the nation’s sixth-largest cable provider.
Today, its broadband coverage areas include Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and New York City. In addition to fiber and cable internet service, RCN also offers digital TV and phone services for residential and business customers.
One big attraction is RCN doesn’t require customers to sign a contract, which is a bonus for those that prefer month-to-month plans. It also boasts 24/7 U.S.-based customer service.
The downside is that RCN services are not as widely available as other cable providers like Xfinity, which has a much larger footprint.
Because of its smaller size, RCN was not included in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) report on broadband services in the FCC’s Measuring Broadband America Report. According to its website, there don’t appear to be any limits on the amount of data you can use (data caps), but RCN doesn’t say so explicitly.
Is RCN Internet Available in My Area?
RCN cable internet is available in select metro areas. These include Boston, Chicago, Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., as well as their surrounding neighborhoods. Many of these areas can also get RCN fiber service, but it varies by location. New customers can check to see which services are available by entering their address on RCN’s website or calling.
RCN Internet Plans
RCN offers six plans ranging from 25-940 Mbps (megabits per second) in download speed. This range covers just about every type of household, from the non-techie living solo to a busy household that streams TV and plays online games.
RCN Internet Service Plans
| PLANS | CONNECTION TYPE | DOWNLOAD SPEED | CONTRACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Mbps Internet | Starting at $19.99 | 25 Mbps | None |
| 50 Mbps Internet | Starting at $29.99 | 50 Mbps | None |
| 100 Mbps Internet | Starting at $29.99 | 100 Mbps | None |
| 250 Mbps Internet | Starting at $29.99 | 250 Mbps | None |
| 500 Mbps Internet | Starting at $39.99 | 500 Mbps | None |
| 940 Mbps Internet | Starting at $49.99 | 940 Mbps | None |
The starting introductory price (which typically lasts for 12 months) on the lowest plan is less than what’s offered by similar internet providers, thus earning RCN the top spot in our ratings of the Cheapest Internet Service in 2020. Note that RCN pricing varies by location.
While RCN doesn’t give specifics about how many devices each plan can support, you can make an educated guess as to how much speed you’ll need based on your common online activities. For instance, a household of serious gamers and streamers of high-definition (HD) content on multiple devices will require a higher plan (experts recommend 250 Mbps and up). The couple who checks email and watches the occasional Amazon Prime show can likely get by on the starter plan.
Speeds go up to almost gigabit levels for those who need to accommodate work-from-home video calls and large file transfers, for instance. You can always upgrade or downgrade your plan based on your usage and how your plan is performing.
RCN wasn’t part of the latest FCC research that measured consistency, latency, and packet loss, so it isn’t clear how well it performs in comparison to competitors. However, average latency and packet loss for cable overall is 25 milliseconds (ms) and less than 1%, respectively. That means delays when you play online games or drops in sound during your web meetings should be minimal.
Starter Plans for subscribers with limited use
For households that mostly use the internet to check email, shop online, and catch up on the occasional streaming series, the 25 or 50 Mbps plans will probably be enough. To give you an idea, you need 5 Mbps to stream HD quality connect on Netflix.
Mid-Level Plans for subscribers with multiple devices
If you want to stream music while your spouse is on social media and your teens play games online with their friends, you should be covered with a 100 or 250 Mbps plan. Go with the higher one for less buffering, or as you add more users and devices.
High Speed Plans for power users and home businesses
Whether your family likes to stream ultra high definition movies, is serious about online gaming, or participates in daily web conferences for work, you don’t want to be bogged down by lagging or lost connections. For super users like these, opting for the 500 Mbps or 940 Mbps plan is a splurge worth making.
RCN Internet Speed
Fastest RCN Internet Plan: 940 Mbps
The fastest internet plan from RCN is its 940 Mbps plan. It’s not technically a gig, but it’s what some companies refer to as a gigabit plan. With that kind of download speed, just about any household could easily stream HD content without buffering, even when a serious gaming session is taking place in another room. In fact, this speed can typically support a dozen or more devices being used simultaneously. Based on RCN’s 2019 published rate cards, upload speeds max out at 20 Mbps.
RCN Bundles and Extras
Like most high-speed internet providers that offer other products, RCN lets customers save a bit by bundling services. Pricing and promotions vary and change, but in general, signing up for more than one of RCN’s products will usually get you a lower introductory price or even the first one to three months free. In some cases, customers may get free professional installation or a gift card.
Deciding between an internet-only plan and a bundle is all about comparing packages. You might find that getting a triple play (which bundles TV, phone, and internet service) saves you money over having separate providers.
Another option for customers is to add eero Secure+, an add-on Wi-Fi security feature that provides antivirus software, ad blocking, and allows you to manage all your internet security settings and tools in one app.
Bundle 1: Internet plus TV
Depending on the location, RCN internet and TV packages let you mix and match the plans that appeal to you. TV customers can choose from Basic TV (which is local and music channels, streaming, and apps) or Signature TV (which has 300+ channels).
Bundle 2: Internet + TV + Phone
Customers can also add on RCN Phone, which features unlimited nationwide calling, as well as caller ID, call waiting, digital voicemail, and more. Depending on which internet plan you choose, your phone plan can cost as low as $10 per month.
RCN Fiber vs. RCN Cable Internet
| RCN CABLE INTERNET | RCN FIBER |
|---|---|
| More widely availableMany plan options | Generally more reliableFaster |
| Cable is generally not as consistently fast as fiber | Only available in select areas |
RCN is primarily a cable internet provider, though it does also offer fiber optic connection in select areas. If given the choice, fiber optic internet is always going to be faster and more reliable than cable. That said, you’ll have to check your specific address to see which service is available in your neighborhood. If cable is the only option, you can still get enough speed for most common household uses.
Is RCN Internet Right for Me?
Best for:
- Budget-conscious
- Families with average internet use
- People who prefer not signing a contract
Not recommended for:
- Those living outside select metro areas
RCN is a solid all-around internet provider with different price points and speeds that will work for a variety of users. The main downsides are that it has limited geographic availability and its highest speeds may not be available in all of its coverage areas. That said, it ranks highest among cable internet providers and third overall. For customers who enjoy action-packed gaming or high-definition streaming with many devices, and RCN’s range-topping 940 Mbps plan isn’t available, this internet provider might not meet your needs.
