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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.

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: (855) 941-4390
  • Support: (800) 837-4966

$39.99-79.99/mo.

75-940 Mbps

75-880 Mbps

73% 73%

Fiber

2nd (0)

RCN At A Glance

  • Sales: (844) 909-3179
  • Support: (800) 746-4726
(844) 909-3179

$19.99-49.99/mo.

10-940 Mbps

--

--

Cable

18th ↑ (+1)

Verizon Fios Overview

Verizon Fios is a company that provides broadband Internet, television, and phone packages. They offer 100% fiber-optic service and they have one of the biggest fiber networks in the US.

RCN Overview

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

Verizon Fios Internet Deals †

  • $39.99 for 200 mbps Fiber
    • 200 Mbps ↓ and 200 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • With Auto Pay. Plus taxes and equipment charges.
    • Disney+ on us for 12 months ($6.99/mo after).
    • Setup: Online exclusive -- $99 Standard setup charge waived.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $15/mo or one-time $299.99
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 400 mbps Fiber
    • 400 Mbps ↓ and 400 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • With Auto Pay. Plus taxes and equipment charges.
    • Get Disney+ and Hulu on us.
    • Setup: Online exclusive -- $99 Standard setup charge waived.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $15/mo or one-time $299.99
    • 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.
    • With Auto Pay. Plus taxes.
    • Get Disney+ and Hulu for 12 mo. on us.
    • Setup: Online exclusive -- $99 Standard setup charge waived.
    • Modem included.
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
Show All Deals (4)
Last updated on 7/2/2020

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

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 7/24/2020

†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

The unique selling point of Verizon Fios is their use of fiber lines all the way to customer addresses. They have sold some of their network to Frontier Communications in recent years. Regardless, Verizon is still available in many locations.

Unlike cable, Fiber to the Home services transmit data over next-generation fiber optic lines all the way to the user's doorstep. Verizon Fios only switches to ethernet within your building.

FTTH internet can provide higher speeds and lower latency than DSL and cable.

RCN's Technology

RCN is a company providing high-speed Internet and TV plans via coaxial cable and DSL, as well as fiber in some locations.

RCN’s cable network is the most widely available service option. Like most cable networks, data is delivered via fiber to a local node within subscriber neighborhoods. n the neighborhood, the data is switched over to electrical signal that can be sent via an coaxial cable network. leveraging pre-existing copper in the last mile makes cable Internet somewhat slower than true “fiber”, but saves the high up-front cost of installing brand new cables.[3]

RCN’s fiber offerings terminate inside or very near the building, allowing speeds several times those offered by traditional DSL and cable.

Verizon Fios Installation

If your home has already had fiber then new customers can to “self-install” equipment, but for most customers, professional install is suggested.

should you opt for a technician installation, a Fios technician will use fiber optic cables to connect your building to the fiber network. The technician installs a fiber box that switches the data over to the building's coaxial wiring. Depending on your location’s existing wiring, the technician might need permission to run ethernet or coaxial cable establish service.

RCN Installation

RCN subscribers can install equipment if they want. Technician installs arethe more common option. Installing the equipment is fairly simple and the company will offer a detailed guidewhen you sign up. When supplying your own modem or router, you’ll need to check that it’s usable with their service. See their website for a breakdown of RCN-compatible modems.

Professional installation is often necessary for homes with old internal wiring.

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://services.eng.uts.edu.au/~kumbes/ra/Access-Networks/hfc/cnethfc.htm ↩
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Last updated on 7/24/2020.