RCN Digital TV vs. Fios TV by Verizon
Jump to: The Verdict | Customer Satisfaction | Installation & Setup | Channels | Reliability | Monthly Bill | Tech Support & Customer Service | Equipment | Apps | Internet Service
At a Glance
Data effective 10/03/2017. Pricing and speeds are subject to change. Not all offers available in all areas.
Should you choose RCN or Verizon Fios as your TV service provider?
The Verdict
Although costs vary by location, RCN offers a solid basic package with affordable upgrades.
RCN keeps cable simple by promoting only one stand-alone cable plan: Signature TV. For customers who want more channels than that, RCN has up to ninety-nine more channels available in genre packs.
RCN was our most-improved in customer monthly bill satisfaction for 2017, likely because it offers discounts in the form of smaller packages, bundles, and other local deals. Unfortunately, many deals are only available in certain areas, so depending on where you live, you might miss out on the best RCN savings.
Fios TV by Verizon offers superior channel selection and signal reliability, but extra fees can drain your pockets.
Verizon’s high-tech fiber service has a clearer picture and more reliable signal, but that quality doesn’t come cheap. In fact, you may want to skip Verizon altogether if you’re on a tight budget.
Compared to RCN’s slimmed-down cable, Verizon boasts a smorgasbord of options. It has traditional packages as well as a custom package for households that prefer a specific genre. However, that custom package is the same price as RCN’s primary offering, so it’s not necessarily the best way to save money.
RCN and Verizon availability varies by location. Enter your zip code below to see which providers are available where you live.
Cable vs. Fiber
Before we delve into customer satisfaction for RCN and Verizon, let’s take a quick look at a basic difference between the two.
RCN relies on traditional copper-cable wiring to deliver television service to your home with a fiber backbone to improve speed over long distances.
This method is handy because most homes already have these cables installed, which saves on service setup time. However, cable sends data using analog signal, which needs to be converted to digital signal for high-definition TVs, so the picture isn’t always perfect.
On the other hand, Verizon’s fiber service sends data digitally, which gives you crystal-clear quality.
Fiber-optic wires are composed of long strands of glass or plastic, and they deliver information in the form of light. This may sound like sci-fi technology, but you’ll experience very real results while you’re agilely surfing through your fiber channels.
Customer Satisfaction Ratings
Now let’s dive deep into what RCN and Verizon customers have experienced from their television providers. The scores below reflect the survey results from 2017’s Best TV Providers in Customer Satisfaction. We analyzed responses from hundreds of real customers to give you a better idea of what your experience could be like with each provider.
RCN Digital TV
Overall Customer Rating
Advantages
- Doesn’t have a contract
- Allows easy access to Netflix and Hulu with TiVo DVR
- Is known for affordable monthly bills
- Has only local customer support centers
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t offer as many channels as Verizon
- Costs more in certain cities
- Has limited geographic availability
Fios TV by Verizon
Overall Customer Rating
Advantages
- Doesn’t have a contract
- Allows you to record 12 channels simultaneously with Whole Home DVR
- Offers a vast channel selection
- Is known for a reliable TV signal
Disadvantages
- Tends to have higher fees
- Has limited geographic availability
Installation & Setup
RCN Digital TV
When it comes to installation and setup, RCN is about average. It claims you can get same-day installation but doesn’t make a guarantee. But once you do have your installation scheduled, you can rest easy knowing there’s only a two-hour service window, and RCN offers a $20 credit if your technician is late.
Fios TV by Verizon
Installing Fios TV can be a complicated process if your home isn’t already wired for fiber. Luckily, Verizon topped the charts in installation and setup. And if that $99.99 standard setup fee is scaring you away, be sure to ask about discounts when you’re signing up because Verizon seems to run special offers frequently.
RCN Installation Fee: $49.99 with $9.99 activation fee
Verizon Installation Fee: $99.99
Channels
RCN Digital TV
RCN’s Signature TV package cuts out all the decision-making traditional television packages require. Rather than scrolling through several channel lineups, you start with one and add Premiere Packages to customize your package from there. And if 285+ channels sounds like more TV than you want, consider bundling with internet or phone for access to the 61+ channel Digital Basic TV.
Fios TV by Verizon
Verizon soared above the competition in channel selection. In addition to three impressive traditional TV plans, Verizon offers a Custom TV package. This handy pack costs $64.99 and allows you to select from seven genre-specific lineups. And if you’re looking for as many channels as possible, the Ultimate HD package is one of the largest on the market.
RCN Channels: 285+
Verizon Channels: 440+
Reliability
RCN Digital TV
Unfortunately, RCN falls noticeably short of Verizon’s high customer satisfaction in reliability and scored below average in this area. At least RCN recognizes the possibility of sun and storm outages, so it offers a handy heads-up to customers about when these problems may occur and how to deal with them.
Fios TV by Verizon
Plenty of other fiber providers are still lagging in signal reliability despite advanced technology, but Verizon was number one in this category too. Verizon has an extensive troubleshooting guide to help customers without requiring them to rely on a customer service representative.
RCN Type of Service: Cable
Mediacom Type of Service: Fiber
Monthly Bill
RCN Digital TV
Careful budgeters will be happy to know RCN scored second in monthly bill satisfaction. It provides a lot of deals and discounts to its customers, even dropping standard package pricing in some areas. Be sure to see what you can save with bundling too.
Fios TV by Verizon
No one loves dishing out a lot of hard-earned dough—even for a mind-blowing number of channels. So Verizon’s score of 2.89 stars in this category doesn’t look, well, stellar. The equipment expenses for Verizon add up quickly, especially if you’re outfitting multiple TVs. But if you’re interested in complimentary DVR service, you can opt for that to be included in some of Verizon’s bundles.
RCN Price: $59.99–$64.99 per month
Verizon Price: $64.99–$89.99 per month
Tech Support & Customer Service
RCN Digital TV
Like many television providers, RCN offers 24/7 customer service. The reason it earned an above-average score in this area may be in part because of its locally based customer service teams. Also, RCN’s customer pledge includes making “every effort to resolve your issue the first time” and guaranteeing your money back after thirty days if you’re not satisfied with your new RCN service. So if you’re interested in trying it out, it’s a safe shot to take.
Fios TV by Verizon
Verizon’s online support is incredibly detailed and offers step-by-step troubleshooting instructions. All that information at your fingertips is a definite plus if you’re not a fan of waiting on the phone for a customer service representative. You can also consult Verizon’s easily searchable forums and chat with a virtual assistant. But if you simply can’t figure it out on your own by the end of the troubleshooting instructions, you can join a queue for Verizon to give you a call to help.
Equipment
Mobile Viewing App
RCN Digital TV: RCN2Go
Apple Store Rating:
Channels:
Up to 95
Compatible with: PC, iOS, and Android
Features: TV guide, allows DVR management, functions as remote
Fios TV by Verizon: Fios Mobile
Apple Store Rating:
Channels:
Up to 245
Compatible with: iPad, iPhone, Android, and Kindle Fire
Features: Has on-demand videos for download, allows DVR management, functions as remot
Internet Service
RCN Internet
Satisfaction Rating:
RCN offers solid internet service with speeds ranging from 25 Mbps up to 1,000 Mbps. Those high speeds are definitely something to get excited about. Plus, your first month of internet is free. And if you bundle internet with cable TV, you’ll save even more on one or both services.
Fios Internet by Verizon
Satisfaction Rating:
Verizon has reliable packages with speeds ranging from 50 Mbps up to 300 Mbps. If you’re considering bundling, we say go for it! Verizon offers lots of incentives with bundling, like free installation as well as two years of included HBO® or DVR service. This is a great way to save on the most expensive parts of Verizon service.
More About the Providers
RCN
RCN Corporation
was founded as Residential Communications Network in 1993. Based out of Princeton, New Jersey, the company provides internet, home phone, and television services in Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Boston; New York City; Lehigh Valley; and Philadelphia. RCN has set itself apart from the competition by winning PCMag’s “Readers’ Choice for Best ISP” three years in a row.
Verizon
Verizon Communications, Inc.
, provides home phone, internet, and television service under the name Fios by Verizon. The company headquarters in Manhattan, New York, and can trace its roots to Bell Atlantic, founded in 1984 as one of the seven Baby Bell companies. Currently Verizon is blazing the way for 5G internet technology, an advancement of current cellphone technology that Verizon hopes will become a viable wireless internet solution.
Rachel Oaks has written hundreds of helpful articles in their five years at CableTV.com. You want all the deets on internet providers, download speeds, and affordable internet? They’re your new favorite writer. Rachel earned their Bachelor of Arts in English at Southern Utah University. You can find more of Rachel’s delightful insights on Yahoo! Finance, Roku.com, and BestCompany.
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