The Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Cancelling a RCN broadband service Subscription or Membership (rcn.net)
By
Bella K.
|
Published
July 17, 2025
|
Updated
July 10, 2025
RCN is a broadband internet provider that offers fast cable and fiber internet with speeds up to 1.5 Gbps, available in 9 states and Washington D.C. Their plans start at around $20 per month, but extras like equipment, installation, and taxes aren't included in that price. They have no contracts, so you can cancel anytime without fees, and there are no data limits, meaning you get unlimited internet without slowdowns. Plus, you can self-install their service without paying extra for a technician.
The cancellation process requires calling RCN customer service and navigating through retention efforts that may involve negotiation, which adds complexity. The need to confirm cancellation and return equipment within a specific timeframe also adds to the difficulty, making it moderately challenging but not overly hard.
Estimated Time
On average, it takes 10 minutes0010 minutes to cancel a RCN broadband service subscription.
How to Cancel RCN broadband service: Step by Step
If you purchased through RCN directly:
Call 1-800-746-4726 to reach customer service.
Be prepared to provide your account number and customer details.
Request cancellation of your service and recurring payments.
Explain your reasons for discontinuing the service when prompted by the representative.
Expect a confirmation email regarding your cancellation.
Return any equipment you received from RCN promptly to avoid potential late fees.
How to Contact RCN broadband service
If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with RCN broadband service's support team.
Tips and Tricks for Getting a RCN broadband service Refund
Call RCN and directly state you want to cancel.
Get transferred to a retention specialist.
Be polite but firm, stating you are unhappy with the bill increase and mention competitor offers as leverage.
Ask for discounts, credits, or better rates explicitly.
Negotiate by calling back periodically, especially yearly, to avoid silent rate hikes.
Express financial hardship if true; some users got special deals this way.
If initially denied or charged a fee, hold your ground and insist on cancellation or a better offer.
Sometimes scheduling a cancellation and then calling again to negotiate yields loyalty credits or promotions.
Use live chat as an alternative cancellation method, which some users found easier and pleasant.
Escalate politely to a manager or retention supervisor if the front-line agent won’t help.
Timing matters: calling near the end of your billing cycle or contract can reduce ongoing charges.
Keep all confirmation numbers and record call dates to dispute wrongful charges later.
Why Do People Request Refunds from RCN broadband service
Monthly rates raised without notification: Customers report increases of up to 50% without prior warning.
Promotional rates not as stated: Advertised special rates end up higher due to fees, taxes, and charges; sometimes customers are charged even after canceling within the 30-day guarantee period.
Poor service quality: Issues include intermittent or slow internet, connection dropping altogether, and speeds slower than paid for.
Poor technical support: Technicians often fail to resolve internet issues, even after modem replacements and line tests.
Rude and unhelpful customer service: Representatives may lack knowledge, be unhelpful, cause long hold times, and fail to return calls.
Charges for equipment despite substandard service: Customers sometimes continue to be charged for equipment like modems even after replacements.
RCN broadband service Refund Script
Script
Copy
Dear RCN broadband service, Support, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request a refund due to a billing issue that arose recently. I noticed an accidental charge on my account that I do not recognize, and I believe it may have been a mistake. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in processing this refund at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Best regards,
RCN broadband service Refund Policy
RCN broadband service, now known as Astound, does not enforce contracts and has no early termination fees. To cancel, customers must call Astound customer service at 800-427-8686. Equipment such as rented internet devices must be returned in a timely manner by the cancellation date to avoid fees, with options to return by mail or in-person, and Astound provides a prepaid shipping label for returns.
The Easiest Way to Get a RCN broadband service Refund
If you’re frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from RCN broadband service—or if you didn’t even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
RCN broadband, now part of Astound, typically does not have contracts or early termination fees, so you can generally cancel your service at any time without penalty. However, you are responsible for the full monthly charge even if you cancel partway through the month, and certain fees like domain registration or shipping are non-refundable. Just be prepared to call customer service directly to process the cancellation.
Monthly rates raised without notification: Customers report increases of up to 50% without prior warning.
Promotional rates not as stated: Advertised special rates end up higher due to fees, taxes, and charges; sometimes customers are charged even after canceling within the 30-day guarantee period.
Poor service quality: Issues include intermittent or slow internet, connection dropping altogether, and speeds slower than paid for.
Poor technical support: Technicians often fail to resolve internet issues, even after modem replacements and line tests.
Rude and unhelpful customer service: Representatives may lack knowledge, be unhelpful, cause long hold times, and fail to return calls.
Charges for equipment despite substandard service: Customers sometimes continue to be charged for equipment like modems even after replacements.
Account number associated with your RCN broadband service
10-digit phone number linked to your account
Customer details (such as name, address, email linked to account)
Reason for cancellation (e.g., relocation, switching providers, moving in with a roommate)
All RCN equipment (such as router, modem, cables) prepared for return
Request confirmation of the service cancellation and final cancellation date
Request cancellation of any recurring payments
Request confirmation email for your records
Before cancelling your RCN broadband service, know that you will lose all internet access provided by the service immediately after cancellation. You must return any rented equipment, such as modems or routers, by mail or in-person on or before the cancellation day to avoid late return fees, which can vary by device. RCN does not have contracts or early termination fees, but you are responsible for the full monthly charge even if you cancel early. Also, if you use RCN's email service, you will lose access to your RCN email account after cancellation. It is common to have to confirm the cancellation multiple times due to persistence by customer service to try to retain you. Finally, if any outstanding charges or equipment fees remain unpaid, it could affect your credit score or future services with RCN.
RCN broadband service, now known as Astound, does not enforce contracts and has no early termination fees. To cancel, customers must call Astound customer service at 800-427-8686. Equipment such as rented internet devices must be returned in a timely manner by the cancellation date to avoid fees, with options to return by mail or in-person, and Astound provides a prepaid shipping label for returns.
To cancel your RCN broadband service, you can call their customer service at 800-746-4726 and speak to a representative. You do not necessarily need your password to cancel, but you will need your account number and other customer details for verification. If you need to reset your password for any reason, you can do so at this URL: https://my.rcn.com/forgot_password. This makes the cancellation process fairly straightforward even without immediate access to your password.
We've actually written a step by step guide on how to get a refund from RCN broadband service. Check it out!
The cancellation process typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. However, the actual time may vary depending on your account settings and whether you need to contact customer service. Most cancellations are processed immediately, but some may take up to 24 hours to take effect.
After canceling your RCN broadband service subscription, you'll typically have access to the service until the end of your current billing period. You won't be charged for the next billing cycle, and your account will be deactivated once the current period ends. Make sure to download any important data before cancellation.
Yes, you can usually reactivate your RCN broadband service account by logging back into your account and resubscribing. However, you may need to go through the sign-up process again and provide payment information. Some services may offer special reactivation deals for returning customers.
If you're unable to cancel RCN broadband service online, contact their customer service directly using the phone number, email, or website provided above. You can also use our refund script to help you communicate effectively with their support team. In some cases, you may need to provide additional verification or documentation.
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vary depending on specific circumstances.
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¹ Total savings is calculated based on internal annualized estimates of
savings for customers. ² Average requests times may vary depending on volume of requests
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