RCN Speed Test

Test Your RCN / Astound Broadband Internet Speed

Go beyond basic speed numbers. Measure your real RCN download speed, upload speed, ping, jitter, and bufferbloat to see how your connection truly performs.

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About RCN / Astound Broadband

Technology

Cable (DOCSIS 3.1)

Coverage

Select areas in 6 states (Boston, NYC, Philly, DC, Chicago, Lehigh Valley)

Typical Download

150-940 Mbps

Typical Upload

15-50 Mbps

RCN Speed Tiers & Plans

PlanDownloadUploadPrice
Internet 150150 Mbps15 Mbps$35/mo
Internet 300300 Mbps20 Mbps$45/mo
Internet 500500 Mbps25 Mbps$55/mo
Gigabit Internet940 Mbps50 Mbps$65/mo

Prices and speeds are approximate and may vary by location. Promotional pricing may differ from regular rates.

Common RCN Issues

Limited geographic availability
Upload speeds much lower than download on all plans
Peak hour slowdowns in apartment buildings with shared nodes
Occasional modem compatibility issues with third-party hardware
Bufferbloat during simultaneous heavy usage
Support response times slower during outage events

How Pong.com Helps RCN Customers

Most speed tests only measure raw throughput inside your ISP's network. Pong.com goes further, testing across the real public internet to reveal what your RCN connection can actually do.

Bufferbloat Detection

Discover if your RCN connection suffers from high latency under load. Bufferbloat causes lag and stuttering even on fast connections.

Jitter Analysis

Measure the consistency of your RCN connection. High jitter means unreliable performance for gaming, video calls, and streaming.

Connection Health Grade

Get an A-F grade for your RCN connection based on speed, latency, bufferbloat, and stability. Know exactly where you stand.

Real-World Experience Scores

See how your connection performs for specific activities: 4K streaming, video conferencing, competitive gaming, and web browsing.

Speed History Tracking

Track your RCN speeds over time. Spot trends, identify peak-hour slowdowns, and catch degradation before it becomes a problem.

Public Internet Testing

Unlike tests that measure inside RCN's network, Pong.com tests across the real internet, giving you speeds that match your actual experience.

Compare RCN to Alternatives

Verizon Fios

300-2300 Mbps down, 300-1000 Mbps up

Fiber (GPON / XGS-PON)

Comcast Xfinity

200-1200 Mbps down, 5-35 Mbps up

Cable (DOCSIS 3.1), Fiber (select areas)

Optimum (Altice USA)

300-2000 Mbps down, 20-2000 Mbps up

Cable (DOCSIS 3.1), Fiber (Optimum Fiber)

Astound Broadband

300-1200 Mbps down, 20-50 Mbps up

Cable (DOCSIS 3.1), Fiber (select markets)

Spectrum (Charter)

300-1000 Mbps down, 10-35 Mbps up

Cable (DOCSIS 3.1), Fiber (expanding)

RCN FAQ

Is RCN throttling my internet?
If your speed test results are significantly lower than what your RCN plan advertises, throttling or network congestion could be the cause. Run a test on Pong.com to check your real speeds. Pong.com tests through the public internet (not inside RCN's own network) so you get an accurate picture. Try testing at different times of day to see if speeds drop during peak hours.
What speeds should I expect from RCN?
RCN offers download speeds of 150-940 Mbps and upload speeds of 15-50 Mbps, depending on your plan and connection type (Cable (DOCSIS 3.1)). On a wired Ethernet connection, you should typically see 70-90% of your plan's advertised speed. Wi-Fi speeds will be lower due to signal attenuation and interference. Use Pong.com to verify your actual speeds.
Why is my RCN internet slow even with a fast plan?
Several factors can slow down your RCN connection: bufferbloat (high latency under load), Wi-Fi interference from neighboring networks, outdated modem or router firmware, network congestion during peak hours, or issues with your home wiring. Pong.com tests all of these factors in a single test, including bufferbloat detection, jitter analysis, and a connection health grade.
Does RCN have bufferbloat problems?
Bufferbloat can occur on any ISP connection, but it is especially common on Cable (DOCSIS 3.1) connections. It causes your latency to spike when your connection is under load (e.g., downloading a file while on a video call). Pong.com specifically tests for bufferbloat and grades it from A (excellent) to F (severe). This tells you more about your real connection quality than download speed alone.

Ready to Test Your RCN Connection?

Get the full picture: download, upload, ping, jitter, bufferbloat, and a connection health grade.

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