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AT&T Internet vs RCN: Side by Side Comparison

Enter your zip code below to see if AT&T Internet or RCN offers service in your area.

AT&T Internet vs RCN

AT&T and RCN offer a lot for broadband shoppers to think about. While their offerings often look similar on the surface, the details can be quite different depending on your area and household needs, especially when it comes to add-ons. RCN has a background as a cable TV company while AT&T uses it’s DSL phone network to reach most customers, but both offer triple-play bundles with some form of TV, phone, and Internet included.

AT&T Internet AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (877) 722-3506
  • Support: (800) 288-2020
(877) 722-3506

$49.99-60/mo.

5-1,000 Mbps

1.0-1,000 Mbps

64%64%

DSL

15th ↑ (+3)

RCN AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (855) 973-9066
  • Support: (800) 746-4726
(855) 973-9066

$19.99-49.99/mo.

10-940 Mbps

--

--

Cable

18th ↑ (+1)

AT&T Internet OVERVIEW

AT&T Internet Internet is a bundled broadband Internet, phone, and TV provider. They provide Internet plans via both DSL and fiber networks.

RCN OVERVIEW

RCN is an Internet service provider that offers cable Internet plans and bundles nationwide. They also offer business Internet plans, and fiber connectivity in some select cities.

AT&T Internet INTERNET DEALS †

  • $49.99 for 1,000 mbps Fiber
    • Download speeds up to 940Mbps w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $69.99.
    • Get a $100 reward card with qualifying online orders or donate some of your reward to Feeding America®.
    • Setup: $0 (Installation cost waived.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
  • $49.99 for 100 mbps DSL
    • 10 to 100 mbps depending on location w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $59.99.
    • Get a $100 reward card with qualifying online orders or donate some of your reward to Feeding America®..
    • Setup: Up to $99 installation cost
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
  • $60 for 10 mbps Fixed Wireless
    • Download speeds of 10 Mbps or over and upload speeds of 1 Mbps or over w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $70.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • $0 equipment fee includes Wi-Fi gateway.
    • Setup: Installation cost of outdoor antenna is up to $99.
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
Show All Deals (5)
Last updated on 5/2/2020

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with AT&T Internet.

RCN INTERNET DEALS †

  • $19.99 for 25 mbps Cable
    • 25 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • RCN prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Setup: Free installation with promo code RCNOFFER when you order online.
    • Call (855) 973-9066 to setup service.
  • $29.99 for 50 mbps Cable
    • 50 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • RCN prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Setup: Free installation with promo code RCNOFFER when you order online.
    • Call (855) 973-9066 to setup service.
  • $29.99 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • RCN prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Setup: Free installation with promo code RCNOFFER when you order online.
    • Call (855) 973-9066 to setup service.
  • $39.99 for 250 mbps Cable
    • 250 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • RCN prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Setup: Free installation with promo code RCNOFFER when you order online.
    • Call (855) 973-9066 to setup service.
  • $44.99 for 500 mbps Cable
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • RCN prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Setup: Free installation with promo code RCNOFFER when you order online.
    • Call (855) 973-9066 to setup service.
  • $49.99 for 940 mbps Cable
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • RCN prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Setup: Free installation with promo code RCNOFFER when you order online.
    • Call (855) 973-9066 to setup service.
Show All Deals (16)
Last updated on 5/20/2020

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with RCN.

AT&T Internet: DATACAPS From 250 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. AT&T Internet offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

RCN: NO DATACAP FOUND

We have not found plans that include data caps. This doesn't mean RCN doesn't have data caps, just that we haven't found them when collecting their plans. Always verify plan details before purchasing.

AT&T Internet's TECHNOLOGY

AT&T offers both fiber optic and hybrid DSL internet plans for many homes and businesses across the US. Fiber service is available for both consumer and business-class customers. They also sell a variety of “triple play” packages with bundled TV or phone add-ons.

AT&T's DSL service, historically known as AT&T "U-verse", utilizes Fiber-to-the-Node wiring. In a FTTN setup, the fiber optic cable terminates near consumers, with the final stretch to the subscriber residences reached via telephone, ethernet, and in some rare instances coaxial cable. Their fiber-based network has allowed them to service faster plans than usually expected via copper-based DSL.[3]

AT&T Fiber to the Home (FTTH) is only sold in select locations. FTTH is considered the best choice for robust, fast and reliable home internet.

RCN's TECHNOLOGY

RCN provides broadband Internet, digital cable TV, and phone packages via three network types: coaxial cable, DSL, and fiber optic.

RCN’s “cable” HFC network is their most common option. With cable, data is delivered via fiber to subscriber neighborhoods, where the data hops over to electrical signal to be sent via the coaxial cable network, which RCN originally installed for TV services. leveraging existing copper lines for the last leg of the journey makes cable providers like RCN somewhat slower than fiber, but more cost-effective because RCN doesn't need to invest in fiber to homes.[4]

Their fiber plans will terminate inside or very near the building, allowing download and upload speeds far above those offered through traditional DSL and cable providers. Fiber-to-the-home is generally considered the best choice for Internet access, and true FTTH packages display the highest speed performance available on the market.

AT&T Internet INSTALLATION

AT&T offers both professional installation and self-installation.

AT&T charges for professional installation, so if your house is already wired and qualifies for self-installation, this might be an easy route for you to lower costs when setting up service.

RCN INSTALLATION

As with most providers, customers of RCN can either install equipment themselves or have a technician from the provider do it for them. If you select self-install, they provide a kit with equipment needed and step-by-step instructions.

Technician installation is often necessary for houses with old wiring.

AT&T Internet COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

AT&T Internet Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

RCN COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

RCN Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

ETFs, promotional periods, and other contract complications

It’s important to understand the fine print before you agrp to it

AT&T and RCN often create discounted sign-up promotions to encourage customers to get on board. These are great and can definitely save you money, but be sure the plan you’re signing up for doesn’t have any “gotchas” in the fine print. Specifically, ETFs (early termination fees) are fine if you plan to stay put for the duration of the contract, but could eat up all your savings and more if you need to relocate or switch providers before it ends.[1]

If you’re getting service for the short term, skip the long contracts and pay extra for a plan with less commitment. Also be sure to compare the final monthly price when you’re scoping out promotional offers, as that will ultimately matter more than the more appealing sign-up price, which is designed to catch your eye and acclimate you to the higher final price.

Bring your own modem for savings

Friendliness to custom hardware can cut fees

Both AT&T and RCN offer “bring your own modem” service, which will cut out the rental fee for a company-provided modem or modem/router combo unit. RCN, in particular is fine with custom hardware, and both companies offer information on which specific brands, models, and types are compatible with their network offerings.[2]

The cost of buying your own will pay for itself, usually within a year. After that, it’s very gratifying to save the hundred or so dollars annually that otherwise would go to an unnecessary rental fee. Just keep in mind that, if you move regularly, the modem you purchase might not work with another provider. Rental modems also generally include maintenance, making renting a good choice for less technically-minded customers.

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/labels-for-broadband-services.pdf ↩
  2. https://broadbandnow.com/guides/renting-vs-buying-modem-whats-best-budget ↩
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  4. http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/~kumbes/ra/Access-Networks/hfc/cnethfc.htm ↩
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Last updated on 5/20/2020.