Verizon Fios vs RCN: Side by Side Comparison

Enter your zip code below to see if Verizon Fios or RCN offers service in your area.
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Verizon Fios vs RCN

RCN and Verizon Fios have a lot to offer, but making out which is better for your household’s needs can be tricky. Both have some of the fastest speeds available to residential customers, with a few key differences in network type depending on where you live. Both providers also offer extra services like TV that can make or break a plan, depending on what your “can’t miss” shows are.

Verizon Fios AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (866) 775-4717
  • Support: (800) 837-4966
(866) 775-4717

$39.99 to $79.99 / mo.

75 mbps to 940 mbps

75 mbps to 880 mbps

73%73%

Fiber

Current: 2nd ↑ (+2)

RCN AT A GLANCE

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

$29.99 to $59.99 / mo.

10 mbps to 1,000 mbps

Up to 20 mbps

--

Cable

Current: 17th ↑ (+1)

Verizon Fios OVERVIEW

Verizon Fios is a fiber broadband provider. They also provide TV and phone services. Verizon offers 100% fiber service. They have one of the most widely available fiber-optic networks in the US.

RCN OVERVIEW

RCN is an Internet provider that sells cable deals and bundles, in addition to fiber and business broadband.

Verizon Fios INTERNET DEALS †

  • $39.99 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 100 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $54.99.
    • Paper free billing and auto pay required.
    • No annual contract (auto pay rqd). Get a $50 Visa Prepaid Card.
    • Setup: Setup fee waived when you order online ($99.00 value).
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo or one-time $149
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 300 mbps Fiber
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 300 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • No annual contract plus 6 months of Netflix on us (auto pay rqd).
    • Setup: Waived (Normally $99)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo or one-time $149.99
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
  • $79.99 for 940 mbps Fiber
    • Up to 940 Mbps download and 880 Mbps upload w/ no data cap.
    • Auto pay required.
    • Free router rental for 3 yrs. Plus 1 year of Netflix premium on us. No annual contract (auto pay rqd).
    • Setup: Waived (Standard setup charge is waived ($99.00 value) when you order online.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo or one-time $149.99
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
Show All Deals (4)
Last updated on 1/31/2019

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

RCN INTERNET DEALS †

  • $29.99 for 50 mbps Cable
    • 50 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑
    • 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 155 mbps Cable
    • 155 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑
    • 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 250 mbps Cable
    • 250 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑
    • 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 500 mbps Cable
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑
    • 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.
  • $59.99 for 1,000 mbps Cable
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑
    • 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 (15)
Last updated on 3/19/2019

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

Verizon Fios: NO DATACAP FOUND

We have not found plans that include data caps. This doesn't mean Verizon Fios doesn't have data caps, just that we haven't found them when collecting their plans. Always 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.

Verizon Fios's TECHNOLOGY

Verizon Fios was among the first providers to build out fiber lines in the early '00s.

Although they sold swaths of their coverage area to Frontier in recent years, Verizon Fios is still available in many cities.

Unlike cable and DSL, Fiber to the Home networks transmit signal over future-proof fiber optic cables for the complete distance to the user's house. The core drawback with fiber infrastructure is that it usually is higher cost compared with DSL, due to the expense of fiber combined with the labor cost to run that cable on poles throughout the area.

FTTH internet offers much higher speed and lower latency than DSL or cable.

RCN's TECHNOLOGY

RCN Cable provides high-speed broadband Internet and television packages via coaxial cable and DSL, plus fiber in some areas.

Their hybrid fiber-coax network is the most common service offering. Like most cable networks, data is delivered via fiber to a local node within subscriber areas. n the local area, data hops over to an existing coaxial cable network. leveraging pre-existing copper lines in the "last mile" results in service that's slower than true “fiber”, but more cost-effective, because RCN doesn't need to spend resources extending fiber to homes.[3]

RCN provides fiber for some cities, and fiber service will terminate at the customer building rather than in the last mile.

Verizon Fios INSTALLATION

Techie subscribers can install their own equipment, but for the majority of subscribers, technician install is suggested.

should you opt for a technician installation, a technician will use fiber optic cables to connect you to the fiber network. The techie installs a fiber box, to which your router connects. If your building hasn't had Fios before, the techie might need building access to install ethernet lines in the wall to get you setup.

RCN INSTALLATION

As with most providers, customers of RCN can either install the modem and other equipment themselves or have a professional do it for them. Installing the equipment is simple. RCN will provide customers with a guidewhen signing up. If using your own modem, confirm that it’s usable with RCN cable service. See their website for a list of RCN-compatible modems and routers.

Technician installs are usually the best choice for TV plans with lots of equipment.

Verizon Fios RATINGS AND REVIEWS

62%62% Customer Rating

62.4% recommendation rating according to 28317 verified users.

RCN RATINGS AND REVIEWS

65%65% Customer Rating

65.4% recommendation rating according to 3449 verified users.

Verizon Fios COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Verizon Fios Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

RCN COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

RCN Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Rental fees: do you need them?

Modem and router combo units are often cheaper to buy than rent

Renting is a good idea if you’re someone who moves frequently or simply doesn’t like to deal with upkeep. This is true for housing, and it’s also true for broadband modems and routers, which are commonly rented to customers along with their other package fees. It’s usually only less than ten dollars a month, but that can add up to around a hundred dollars annually.[1]

Since midrange routers can be bought new for significantly less, it’s a no-brainer to think about buying your own. First, check your provider’s website and see what modems are compatible with their service. Usually they’ll recommend some brands and models. Second, keep an eye on your bill in following months to double-check that the rental fee gets removed in a timely manner.

Judging the quality of a provider

Customer reviews matter, but only the real ones

Great customer service and consistent service are worth their weight in gold, particularly for broadband users who rely on their connection for work and basic communication. Getting fast resolutions to service issues, needless to say, is extremely important. There are basically two types of company rating that you can trust online when trying to gauge quality of service: ACSI ratings and IP-verified customer ratings. ACSI stands for the American Customer Satisfaction Index, a nationwide survey company that collects data on customer happiness quarterly for a wide variety of industries.[2]

Unlike user-generated reviews, ACSI conducts interviews with existing customers in person to ensure accuracy. IP-verified ratings are the type of review you’ll see elsewhere on BroadbandNow. These ratings are attached to customer’s unique IP address, ensuring that they are an existing customer of the provider being reviewed before their response is recorded.

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://broadbandnow.com/guides/renting-vs-buying-modem-whats-best-budget ↩
  2. https://www.theacsi.org/industries/telecommunications-and-information/internet-service-provider ↩
  3. http://www.thefoa.org/tech/allfiber.htm ↩
Last updated on 3/19/2019.

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