RCN undercuts Comcast with wideband Internet offer in D.C.

RCN is challenging Washington D.C. incumbent cable MSO Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) with a new wideband Internet offer, charging subscribers $49.99 monthly to access a 50 Mbps Internet service.

The cable overbuilder said it will also sell a $40 monthly package offering speeds of 25 Mbps, and an $80 tier that offers speeds of 75 Mbps.

Comcast charges $79.99 for its "Extreme 50" 50 Mbps high-speed Internet service on its Washington, D.C., system. The price on the package increases to about $100 monthly after the first six months of service, according to Comcast's website.

RCN has been launching wideband Internet services on all of its systems, following its upgrade to a DOCSIS 3.0 platform. CEO Jim Holanda told FierceCable last fall that the company hasn't yet seen strong demand for its wideband tiers.

"Once we launch DOCSIS 3.0, our core speeds are 15 and 25 Mbps. We haven't seen large demand for higher speeds than that," Holanda said.

For more:
- see the news release

Related articles:
RCN not seeing strong demand for 60 Mbps service
Comcast pitches businesses $100 Mbps Internet access for $370 monthly
Time Warner Cable banks on wideband Internet in battle for subscribers