HERNDON, Va.--()--RCN Corporation (NASDAQ: RCNI), a leading provider of digital television, data, and voice services to residential, business and commercial/carrier customers, announced that it will begin switching its New York network to all digital Cable TV programming, starting next month. This move enables RCN to reclaim existing analog channels, improve the picture quality, make the network easier to maintain, and dramatically increase the number of standard and High Definition (HD) channels it can offer to subscribers.
“Digital is the future direction of the industry, especially with the Federal Communication Commission’s mandate that all broadcast channels be transmitted digitally by February 17, 2009”
“By going all-digital, we can provide the consumers of the great Empire City a superior alternative to the incumbent cable and phone products. We believe we are at the top of the class in going all digital," added RCN CEO and President Peter Aquino. “At launch, we are able to increase our HD channels to more than 75 channels and are positioned to make good on the promise of offering approximately 100 HD channels or more in the future."
In addition, RCN is increasing its Video ON DEMAND content, including hundreds of hours for free, as well as more subscription and pay Video ON DEMAND programming to provide customers with even more choices available at the touch of a remote. Customers can also look forward to more flexible channel packages, so they can customize a package that’s right for them.
The conversion will enable RCN to deliver up to 10 standard-def digital or 3 HD channels per analog channel, with better picture quality, and use some of the reclaimed spectrum to support growing high-speed data services demand. The conversion will begin in Queens and will continue over the next 4-5 months. All RCN subscribers will be notified before their service area is converted.
"RCN prides itself on being the hometown service provider, delivering competitive cable television, data and voice fiber optics services here for more than 10 years," said RCN Vice President & General Manager Anthony Ontiveros. "Our move to an all-digital network frees up bandwidth so we can provide our New York City area customers with an explosion of entertainment choices and have more expanded Basic Digital TV channels than ever before."
Once converted to all digital, RCN's New York City customers will need at least a standard digital converter box or cable card to view the new line-ups. HD and HD/DVR converters can also be used and are necessary to view HD channels.
"Digital is the future direction of the industry, especially with the Federal Communication Commission’s mandate that all broadcast channels be transmitted digitally by February 17, 2009," Ontiveros noted. "While RCN’s exciting new services will require subscribers to have a digital converter box or cable card, which will be offered for a discounted monthly rate in New York City, our all-digital network opens up a digital revolution that brings an exciting world of opportunities and choice for our customers."
He said a concerted effort is underway to get the word out to RCN customers to make this transition smooth and easy for them. He explained that customers needing a standard, HD or DVR box or cable card have three options:
- RCN will mail them with quick self-install instructions. It’s as easy as connecting one cable to the box and another to the wall.
- Customers can pick boxes or cable cards up at RCN’s offices at 3316 Woodside Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101 or 28 W 23rd Street, 11th floor, New York, NY 10010.
- Customers can schedule an appointment to have boxes installed.
Customers who want to order a converter set top box or cable card or get additional details should call 1-866-897-5921 or visit www.rcn.com/digital.
About RCN Corporation
RCN Corporation, http://www.rcn.com , is a facilities-based, competitive broadband telecommunications services provider delivering digital television, high-speed data and voice services to residential and small-medium business customers under the brand names of RCN and RCN Business Services, respectively. In addition, through the RCN Metro Optical Networks business unit, RCN delivers fiber-based high-capacity data transport services to large commercial customers, primarily large enterprises and carriers, targeting the Metropolitan central business districts in the company's geographic markets. RCN's primary service areas include Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley (PA), New York City, Boston and Chicago. (RCNI-G)
About RCN New York
RCN’s New York Market serves much of Manhattan and the Queens communities of Astoria, Corona, Elmhurst, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Jackson Heights, Kew Gardens, Long Island City, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park, Sunnyside, and Woodside, as well as parts of downtown Brooklyn and Brighton Beach.
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