1 Gigabit Internet In Evanston Now Available From RCN

EVANSTON, IL – New high-speed internet options have been announced for Evanston.

'1 Gigabit' internet speeds are now available to Evanston residents for about $70 a month, RCN Chicago said this week.

The service was first introduced last November to RCN's customers in Chicago. The company is also offering digital TV and phone service.

“With the flexibility and strength of our award-winning data network and our superior customer service, we felt the time was right to bring our TV, phone and internet to Evanston,” said RCN Chicago's senior VP and general manager Tom McKay.

RCN has worked closely with the City of Evanston's engineering staff to ensure a smooth launch of the new service, he said.

McKay predicted RCN will be available in 5,000 Evanston homes by the end of April, with about 10,000 expected by the end of the year as the service area extends northward block by block.

RCN Chicago is currently offered in some lakefront single homes, apartment high-rises and businesses along the Chicago lakefront and the Villages of Skokie and Lincolnwood.

Skokie was wired by RCN as part of an expansion more than 15 years ago, but Lincolnwood's build was only finished last year after the company received a state-wide franchise.

That has made it easier for villages or municipalities anywhere in the state to sign up for the service.

The company is also looking to fill about 5-6 new local sales positions in the Lincolnwood and Evanston area, McKay said.

But there's no plans to expand to areas where there are already three competitors (meaning parts of the North Shore where WOW and AT&T are already being offered) according to RCN Chicago's GM.

Last year RCN received PCMag's "Readers Choice for Best ISP" for the second straight year. The company was bought by a private equity firm last month.