RCN/Astound Review 2026
Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Cable/Fiber provider in 7 states
The internet market continues to evolve rapidly. Fiber availability is expanding, with AT&T Fiber, Frontier, and Google Fiber leading growth. Cable providers like Spectrum and Xfinity maintain the widest coverage. 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon offers a compelling no-contract alternative where traditional wired service is limited. Choose fiber if available for best performance; cable for reliability and availability; 5G for flexibility.
Short answer: RCN/Astound offers cable/fiber internet with speeds up to 1200 Mbps starting at $25/mo. No data caps. Best for: Urban users in RCN markets wanting Xfinity alternative
Quick Decision Guide
✓ Choose fiber if: You need symmetrical uploads for video calls, gaming, or content creation.
✓ Choose cable if: Fiber unavailable, you stream content, want reliability.
✗ Avoid fiber if: Not available or budget under $50/mo.
✗ Avoid cable if: You need fast uploads or lowest latency.
→ Choose 5G instead if: No contracts, quick install, or wired unavailable.
Key Takeaways
- Best Fiber: AT&T Fiber and Frontier offer up to 5 Gbps (verified January 2026)
- Best Cable: Spectrum unlimited data; Xfinity more speed tiers (FCC BDC, June 2026)
- Best Budget: T-Mobile 5G Home at $50/mo flat, no contract
- Best Gaming: Fiber with 3-15ms latency beats cable's 15-35ms
Quick Decision Guide
✓ Choose RCN/Astound if: Urban users in RCN markets wanting Xfinity alternative
✗ Avoid RCN/Astound if: Those outside RCN's limited urban footprint
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✓ No data caps
- ✓ No contracts
- ✓ Competitive pricing
- ✓ Good customer ratings
- ✓ Price lock options
Cons
- ✗ Very limited footprint
- ✗ Mostly urban areas
- ✗ Speeds vary by neighborhood
RCN/Astound Plans & Pricing
Prices shown are promotional rates. Actual pricing may vary by location. Verified January 2026.
| Plan | Download | Upload | Price | Data Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 Mbps | 50 Mbps | 10 Mbps | $25/mo | Unlimited |
| 250 Mbps | 250 Mbps | 25 Mbps | $40/mo | Unlimited |
| 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $55/mo | Unlimited |
| 1 Gig | 1000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $70/mo | Unlimited |
* Prices are promotional and may increase after 12-24 months. Equipment fees may apply.
How RCN/Astound Compares
RCN (now Astound) offers solid cable with no caps, competing well against Xfinity in cities like Chicago, Boston, NYC. Strong alternative where available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RCN/Astound good?
RCN/Astound has a J.D. Power customer satisfaction score of 717/1000. Urban users in RCN markets wanting Xfinity alternative
How much does RCN/Astound cost?
RCN/Astound plans range from $25-$75/mo. No contracts
Does RCN/Astound have data caps?
No data caps
Where is RCN/Astound available?
RCN/Astound is available in 7 states: IL, IN, MA, MD, DC, NY, PA.
Unlike many comparison sites, we verify provider availability at the address level using FCC data and test actual speeds. Our recommendations prioritize value and reliability over commission rates. Fiber consistently outperforms cable on upload speeds and latency, making it the better choice where available.
Related Comparisons
What is the average internet speed in this area?
The average download speed in urban areas is approximately 200-300 Mbps for cable and 300-1000 Mbps for fiber. Actual speeds depend on your provider and plan. Fiber offers symmetrical upload speeds, while cable upload speeds are typically 10-35 Mbps.
Do I need a contract for internet service in my area?
No, most major providers offer no-contract options. Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home never require contracts. AT&T and Frontier fiber have no contract requirements. Xfinity and Cox offer month-to-month options with slightly higher rates.
Related Resources
Equipment and Installation Options
When signing up for RCN, you can choose between professional installation and self-installation depending on your connection type. Professional installation typically costs $50-100 and includes equipment setup, line testing, and WiFi optimization for your home layout. Self-installation kits are available for most plans and include step-by-step instructions, all necessary cables, and a preconfigured modem or gateway device. Self-installation takes approximately 30-60 minutes and saves on setup costs.
For equipment, RCN offers the option to rent a modem and WiFi router for a monthly fee or use your own compatible equipment. Purchasing your own modem and router costs $140-250 upfront but saves $10-15 per month in rental fees, paying for itself within 12-18 months. If you choose to rent, the provider handles all firmware updates and equipment replacements at no additional charge.
Customer Support and Service Experience
RCN provides customer support through multiple channels including phone, live chat, and an online help center. Phone support is available for technical issues, billing questions, and service changes. Many common tasks such as paying bills, upgrading plans, and scheduling appointments can be handled through the provider's website or mobile app without waiting on hold.
For technical troubleshooting, RCN support agents can run remote diagnostics on your connection to identify issues before scheduling a technician visit. If an on-site visit is required, the provider typically offers appointment windows and will credit your account for verified service outages exceeding 24 hours.
How to Choose the Right RCN Plan
Selecting the best plan depends on your household's internet usage patterns. For 1-2 people doing basic browsing, email, and occasional streaming, the lowest available tier provides adequate performance. Households with 3-5 members who stream video, work remotely, and game online should consider mid-tier plans offering 300-500 Mbps. Power users with many connected devices or who upload large files benefit from gigabit-level plans.
Consider your upload speed needs as well. Remote workers participating in frequent video conferences require at least 10 Mbps upload for reliable HD video quality. Content creators and live streamers need 25-50 Mbps or more for consistent output quality. Compare upload speeds across available plans, as they vary significantly by technology type and plan tier.
How RCN Compares to Other Providers
When evaluating RCN against competing providers in your area, compare these key factors: actual download and upload speeds (not just advertised maximums), monthly pricing after promotional periods end, contract requirements and early termination fees, data caps or usage limits, equipment rental costs versus purchasing your own, and customer service ratings from independent review sites. The best provider for your household depends on which combination of these factors aligns with your priorities and budget.
Speed test data from independent sources shows that actual speeds can vary from 60-95% of advertised maximums depending on network congestion, time of day, and distance from network infrastructure. Testing during both peak hours (7-11 PM) and off-peak times gives the most accurate picture of real-world performance. Many providers also offer speed guarantees or credits if performance consistently falls below a specified threshold.
Understanding Your RCN Bill
Your monthly RCN bill may include several line items beyond the base internet plan price. Common additional charges include equipment rental fees for modems and routers ($10-15/month), WiFi management fees ($5-10/month), broadcast TV surcharges if bundled with television, and regulatory recovery fees. Understanding each charge helps you identify opportunities to reduce your bill, such as purchasing your own compatible equipment to eliminate rental fees.
Review your bill regularly for rate increases, especially after promotional periods expire. Many customers do not notice gradual price increases that accumulate over time. If your rate has increased significantly from when you first signed up, contact the retention department to negotiate a better rate. Having competitor pricing information available when you call gives you leverage to secure discounts of $10-30 per month in many cases.