RCN, originally called Residential Communications Network, established in 1993 and based in Princeton, New Jersey, is a leading provider of high-speed Internet service, digital cable television, and home phone services. RCN now offers six major metropolitan areas: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Lehigh Valley, and Washington, D.C.
But what does RCN bring to the table, and how good and purposeful is it? We’ve tried to put together everything one should know before diving into this option.
Overview about RCN Internet
RCN has a good deal for new customers but is considered unreliable in the long run. It has no contract internet plans, allowing users to cancel the plan whenever they want without any termination fee or penalty, which is a plus point for the users. But on the other hand, it has promotional prices that are valid only for one year. The prices also change with the region you live in. It is observed that if the service works well in a particular area, one can enjoy reliable, robust internet services, but if it doesn’t, it leads to much inconvenience and frustration due to unreliable customer care service.
Pros
● No contracts
● No data caps
● Low first-year pricing
● Fast download speeds
Cons
● Limited availability
● Sharp price increase after one year
● Confusing pricing
● Poor customer service
According to the latest 2021 Internet Customer Satisfaction Report by HighSpeedInternet.com, RCN scored 6th out of 12 ISPs with an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5. According to Broadband Now, the national average download speed provided by RCN as of July 2021 was 187.29Mbps, which is decent.
We’ll now look deeper into the factors affecting the performance of RCN in the sections below.
RCN Internet Prices and Plans
RCN’s pricing is usually reasonable, although it may vary based on your location. The current costs for various plans range from $19.99 to $59.99 per month. It makes it one of the most affordable ISPs available in the market. However, pricing may fluctuate based on your locality compared to other cities RCN serves. For example, in New York City, a 500 Mbps package costs $34.99 per month, but in Chicago, the same plan costs $49.99 per month.
You should also consider that there’s up to a $100/month price increase after the first year. The promotional cost for the 500 Mbps package in New York, for example, is $34.99 per month. After one year, your bill will rise to $148.99 per month.
RCN is pretty cheaper than the other ISPs in the market. For example, Verizon Fios Home Internet costs approximately $65/mo for a 400 Mbps plan. For the same speed, RCN is almost half the price. Xfinity and Optimum are other ISPs that serve the same areas as RCN, and both offer a reasonable price for their speeds. A 400 Mbps plan is also available from Xfinity; however, RCN’s 400 Mbps service is around $20 less.
RCN’s no contract and no data cap policy is ideal for anyone who requires higher speeds when working from home but won’t be able to once they return to the office. Contactless installation is also available from RCN.
Internet Performance
RCN provides decent average customer speed. RCN makes no promises about internet speed, which is standard for any internet provider. According to Broadband Now, RCN’s countrywide average download speed was 187.29Mbps in July 2021. According to the latest 2021 Internet Customer Satisfaction Report by HighSpeedInternet.com, RCN scored 6th out of 12 ISPs with an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5. However, some customers are not getting the speed they’re paying for.
Customer Reviews on RCN Internet
Many negative customer reviews have been recorded regarding pricing concerns. Customers who have complained about pricing have cited varying prices from month to month, high taxes, and unannounced price spikes.
One common complaint is regarding the poor customer care service. One example is that equipment is not set up correctly during installation, and it takes too many follow-up visits from technicians to get everything working. Some have described the customer service as “rude,” while others have described it as “scammy.” Still, all appear to agree that interacting with an RCN representative did little to make one feel good about doing business with them. Another common complaint is that internet service is down for long periods or is out frequently enough to be deemed normal.
Comparison to Other ISPs
RCN internet has only six metro regions covered, so it doesn’t have the same breadth of coverage as other of the broadband industry’s behemoths, but it is highly competitive in the six markets it offers. Its promo pricing makes it one of the most cost-effective broadband options in the United States.
It provides a solution for individuals who dislike contract lock-in. It also offers a worry-free experience for the most extreme data users as it delivers unlimited data and service with no contract or cap. The ability to avoid paying for equipment rental by bringing your router and modem could be a distinction when compared to other ISPs in your area.
Conclusion
If there’s no other option than RCN, there isn’t much you can do but hope for good speeds and service. If you have other options, you should try RCN for 30 days to see how it goes, and based on the experience, you can decide.
If you live in New York or Chicago, where RCN coverage is limited, you may end up spending too much for slow speeds. On the other hand, residents of the Lehigh Valley are more likely to experience consistent speed and performance. Depending on where you reside and your other options, you should probably look into Comcast Xfinity or Verizon Fios.
Does RCN have contracts?
No, RCN internet does not have contracts with their plans. You can make changes without paying any penalty or cost. In case of excessive price or any other reason leading to a mind-shift, you can do it easily.
Can one provide their equipment?
Yes, you can provide your Wi-Fi router and modem. Doing this would also eliminate the equipment expenses, unlike some broadband providers that include a mandatory equipment fee that cannot be waived.
What is the cancellation policy of RCN?
You can cancel RCN internet service anytime without paying any fee or penalty.
Are there data overages?
All of RCN’s internet services include unlimited data. This is yet another area where RCN outperforms the competitors. This is especially advantageous for people who work remotely and pay for their internet access.
