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Although Verizon Fios boasts excellent customer reviews and cutting-edge fiber technology, RCN has the advantage in terms of inexpensive rates and a wider range.
Verizon Fios and RCN are two internet companies in the United States that provide fiber-optic internet in certain areas. RCN and Verizon Fios both provide ultra-fast fiber-optic internet, with RCN also offering copper and cable internet in select places. Both companies provide internet, phone, and television bundles to let clients acquire all of their services for one low price. Lets dig deeper into each one for a side by side comparison.
Verizon Fios vs. RCN Performance Comparison
Verizon Fios
Customers may get fiber internet from Verizon Fios in nine states, with the most extensive coverage in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Verizon Fios presently serves 34.8 million people, making it the country’s second-largest fiber internet provider. Customers may pick between internet-only plans or bundles that include TV, phone, and internet service, with unlimited data and no commitments included in all options. See all our top Verizon fios deals listed here at MyDealsClub for a great deal on your new Verizon Fios plan.
RCN
Despite some overlap in coverage maps in certain states, RCN’s availability is concentrated in Boston, Chicago, the Washington, DC metro region, Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, New York City, and Philadelphia. RCN internet is available to a little more than four million individuals, the bulk of whom can only use RCN’s cable network (as opposed to its faster fiber-optic network).
RCN vs. Verizon Fios: Internet Speed Performance
 |  |
SERVICES OFFERED Fiber and DSL | SERVICES OFFERED Cable |
PRICING $39.99–$79.99/mo.* (Fiber) $69.99/mo. ‡(DSL) | PRICING $19.99–$59.99/mo.† |
CONTRACT TYPE Month-to-month | CONTRACT Month-to-month |
DOWNLOAD SPEEDS OFFERED 200 Mbps–up to 940 Mbps (Fiber) 0.5 Mbps–15 Mbps (DSL) | DOWNLOAD SPEEDS OFFERED 25 Mbps–940 Mbps |
EQUIPMENT FEES $15.00/mo. (no monthly router rental fee when signing up with Fios Gigabit Connection) | EQUIPMENT FEES $2.00–$18.95/mo. (depending on equipment and service area) |
INSTALLATION FEE $99.00 (free if you sign up online) | INSTALLATION FEE $49.95 (plus $10 activation fee) |
RCN’s plans are more diverse in general, though they differ by place. Three of RCN’s plans are available in most of the RCN network’s cities. Regardless, each city offers RCN plans ranging from 250 to 940 Mbps.
While cable internet may be as fast as fibre internet in certain cases, it cannot give the same upload speeds or stability. Unlike cable internet, fibre internet, such as Verizon Fios, is not affected by network congestion. You’re more likely to encounter download speeds slower than what your package claims if you reside in an apartment building or area where the majority of people use RCN.
RCN vs. Verizon Fios: Installation Costs
Verizon Fios
Professional installation or self-installation are the two options for Verizon Fios internet setup. Customers whose houses are not already wired for service will benefit from a professional installation. This installation costs $99 one time, but Verizon Fios waives the price if you acquire chosen plans online. If you already have sufficient wiring in place and are acquainted with setting up a modem and router, self-installation may be your best choice. Self-installation is free of charge. Make sure you get the best fios compatible router for the best download and upload speeds also.
RCN
RCN, like Verizon Fios, offers consumers the choice of self-installation or expert installation. For $49.99, you may have professional installation, which includes a technician installing all wiring and equipment in your house. RCN will eliminate your setup charge if you acquire your internet subscription online. Self-installation is free and includes a comprehensive kit with everything you need to start up your internet connection.
Verizon Fios vs. RCN Contracts And Fees
When it comes to the tiny print, both Verizon Fios and RCN are gentle with their customers. You are not required to sign an annual contract with any of these providers. If you move providers, there are no early termination fees (ETFs). There are no data limits, so you may use the internet as much as you like.
There are, however, certain costs to be aware of. Here’s what you can anticipate if you sign up for Verizon Fios or RCN:
Verizon Fios
No-contract services from Verizon Fios provide download speeds of up to 940 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 880 Mbps.
If you decide to discontinue your service, these no-contract options protect you from having to pay early termination costs. Verizon Fios costs $15 per month to rent a modem with WiFi for use with your service, or $299.99 to buy the equipment outright. You may avoid this cost by bringing your own appropriate equipment.
RCN
RCN’s internet services are no-contract, which means you won’t be tied into a contract or be charged early termination penalties if you cancel.
If you have any RCN plan with download speeds up to 500 Mbps, you may rent a modem and router from RCN for $20 per month. The 940 Mbps package, on the other hand, necessitates the purchase of a $10/month modem router combo. By utilising your own suitable modem, router, or modem router combo, you may avoid the cost.
RCN vs. Verizon Fios: The Verdict Who Is Better ?
Because of its huge fiber-optic network, Verizon Fios is a superior option for streamers whether they simply want internet or an internet plus TV package. RCN provides the same speeds as Verizon Fios, but fibre is more likely to achieve the claimed speeds than cable internet. If you’re new to cord cutting or want to get started, Verizon Fios’ freebies are a terrific way to get started with the content-on-demand, commitment-free lifestyle.
Some FAQ’s
- Is Fios More Reliable Than Cable?
Given that fiber-optic cabling is capable of substantially greater speeds, it should come as no surprise that FiOS max speeds exceed Cable’s. Only a few tiny fibre providers, such as Google Fiber, can match FiOS’ peak speed of 500Mb/500MB, while cable speeds aren’t even close.
- What are the disadvantages of fiber optic Fios ?
Low power—The power output of light emitting sources is restricted. High-power emitters are available to increase power delivery, however they come at an additional expense. Fragility—When compared to copper cables, optical fibre is more delicate and susceptible to damage.