 Review by whamel 
UPDATED: 2.2 years ago
member for 7.6 years, 1734 visits, last login: 246 days ago
 Chicago,Cook,IL
 $190 per month
 about 5 days
 "*SPEED*, HDTV, PHONE...no probs. for me...cheaper than Concast"
 "Customer Service juggling, but you get used to working them...."
 "TRY RCN if you are in Chicago...can be hit or miss...cheaper than Concast"
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(ratings match consensus)
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UPDATE: Upgraded my RCN internet service to the Mach20 tier. With speeds around 22 Mbps download and 1.9 Mbps upload and an average latency to the first hop of 5ms I can't complain. The speeds have been wholly consistent throughout all times of the day and I couldn't be happier. GET RCN in CHICAGO, its CHEAPER then Comcast and hella fast! While I was at it, I also swapped out my HD-DVR's for the newer version Motorola HD-DVR's RCN is now deploying. They are model # "Motorola DCT 3416 I" and have fully functional HDMI, and every other port you could think of, and a larger Seagate SATA GEN II Hard Drive. If you live in Chicago, you can go to their one payment/equipment exchange and return center at:
2640 West Bradley Place
Chicago, IL 60618
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm
Hope the reiew, especially the updates, prove useful!
You can check out my old and new tests (speed and line quality tests) by clicking here:
»/testhistory/628497/598df
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I first subscribed with RCN back in August/September in 2006. I was into my new apartment and my new roommate suggested RCN because he was using RCN at his old place in Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago. The installation happened very quickly for what had to be done. Internet service rocks at 10Mbps down, and about 1 Mbps up.
NO COMPLAINTS WHATSOEVER!!!
The previous tenants used RCN as well...so all the infrastructure was in place. However, I wanted all new RG6 run because the orientations of our TV's, phone, and internet box were completely different. So they re-ran all brand new white RG6 at the baseboard of the apartment. Luckily all the wiring outside to the demarc was RG6 as well....I also had them do this because I wanted the best cabling, install as I wanted it, and the best signal quality you could get!
The installer was immediately baffled by the lack of telephone service coming through...in fact my caller-ID wasn't updated until a month later...but that's VOIP for you.
We get crystal clear phone service, no disconnects, VERY reliable service. In fact RCN just upgraded the voice mail system and it is much of an improvement. What also is awesome about the phone service is that it is UNLIMITED long distance, regional, and local calling included! On top of that, lets just say my phone # itself ("773"857.0100) is an unbeatable #.
Never had a problem except with the fact that my name didn't show on other's Caller-ID's, it would just say "Illinois Call" but I wanted my name there because then no-one answers my call, thinking im a telemarketer.
THE BEST PART TOOO....My roommate and I run 3 HDTV DVR tuner boxes (Motorola DCT-6412 III's), so RCN knew this job was no small job. With us subscribing to EVERY service imaginable, they were taking care of us. In fact TWO installers came out. Now to the ordering process...I was AMAZED by one rep I asked for his phone extension so I could call him directly if I needed something ever. I called him just now telling him I was writing this and he just said I had too much free time at work. My "Inside DUDE" was knowledgeable, friendly, helpeed me get the best deal for the price, and hooked me up with a better install time.
Their basic, expanded, and package is phenomenal, and their HDTV offerings outdo Comcast's BAR NONE! In fact, I don't know why I would change to Comcast because it has everything, . However the boxes they use for the Digital TV with DVR are the same as Comcast's, and they cost $3/month extra to rent than Comcast. The ease of use has been GREATLY improved as they just rolled out their new Cable and HDTV menu, guides, and VOD menus. You can now either receive most channels in 1080i resolution or up convert any channel you want to you desired resolution. I use a HDMI cable from the HD-DVR box to my 42" Panasonic Plasma and I can't ever leave my room.
BOTTOM LINE....I have used Comcast, and in fact, my mother, father, and grandfather all use Comcast at home....and my father uses SBC Business DSL at his office. When comparing features, packaging, value, pricing, and service...HANDS DOWN, RCN takes the cake as BEST Chicago ISP!!
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