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We compare internet service providers side-by- side to show you the key differences to make smarter decisions when choosing your tv, internet, phone options.

Verizon Fios vs Astound Broadband powered by RCN

Verizon Fios Deals and Promotions

Cheap Internet
SETUP SERVICE

(888) 317-7540
  • PRICE RANGE $39.99 to $79.99 / mo.
  • TECHNOLOGY Fiber
  • SPEED RANGE (DOWNLOAD) 100 mbps to 940 mbps
  • SPEED RANGE (UPLOAD) 100 mbps to 880 mbps

Verizon Fios OVERVIEW

Verizon FiOS is a provider of fiber broadband Internet, TV, and phone services. They offer 100% fiber connectivity and have one of the largest pure fiber networks on the market.

Verizon Fios TECHNOLOGY

Verizon Fios offers broadband internet, TV, and home phone service to consumers using their fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network.

Fios was one of the first major telecom companies to deploy a large fiber optic network. They have sold parts of their network to Frontier in recent years. Regardless, Fios is still available in a handful of states.

Unlike hybrid networks, FTTH carries data over next-generation fiber optic cables all the way to a subscriber’s doorstep. The core drawback to an FTTH network layout is that it costs an Internet provider significantly more to build up-front, thanks to the high cost of fiber cable combined with the cost of labor to install that cable underground throughout an area.

That said, FTTH is generally considered the “gold standard” of consumer internet connections because it offers the lowest latency and highest bandwidth capabilities.

Verizon Fios RATINGS AND REVIEWS

Cheap Internet
Cheap Internet
62.0% recommendation rating according to 26,055 verified users.
Astound Broadband powered by RCN Deals and Promotions
Cheap Internet
SETUP SERVICE

(888) 317-7540
  • PRICE RANGE $29.99 to $29.99 / mo.
  • TECHNOLOGY Cable
  • SPEED RANGE (DOWNLOAD) 10 mbps to 1,000 mbps
  • SPEED RANGE (UPLOAD) Up to 20 mbps

Astound Broadband powered by RCN OVERVIEW

RCN is a cable broadband Internet, TV, and phone provider. They also offer business broadband plans, and fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) connectivity in some select areas.

Astound Broadband powered by RCN TECHNOLOGY

RCN offers broadband Internet, digital cable TV, and phone plans via three network types: hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) “cable”, DSL, and fiber optic.

RCN’s “cable” HFC network is their most widely available option. Like most cable broadband networks, data is delivered via fiber to a local node within subscriber areas, where the data is switched over to an electrical signal for transmission via the existing coaxial cable networks originally installed for cable TV service. Using existing copper cables for the last leg of the journey makes cable broadband somewhat slower than true “fiber” connections, but saves the high up-front cost of purchasing and installing brand new cables for the company.

RCN’s fiber plans generally terminate inside or very near the building, allowing for speed several times those offered by traditional DSL and cable networks. Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections are widely considered the premium option for home Internet access, and true FTTH connections offer the highest bandwidth and lowest latency available today.

Astound Broadband powered by RCN RATINGS AND REVIEWS

Cheap Internet
Cheap Internet
64.8% recommendation rating according to 3,085 verified users.
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Modem Rental Fees, Yes or No?

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.

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.

How to know if a provider is good

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.

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.

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