Comcast's Freedom Region Launches Home-Security Suite
'Xfinity Home' Available to 2.1 Million Subscribers in Philadelphia, N.J. and Delaware
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 2/15/2012 2:18:28 PM
Comcast's Freedom Region, which serves 2.1 million customers in greater Philadelphia, New Jersey and northern Delaware, has completed the launch of the Xfinity Home security and home-automation service across its full footprint.
About 650 communities within the region now have access to the service, according to spokesman Jeff Alexander.
Comcast also has rolled out the service, which it formerly called Xfinity Home Security, in markets including Houston, Portland, Ore., New Hampshire and Denver.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said on the operator's earnings call Wednesday that in 2012, "we'll be expanding our home-security business in many, many markets virtually nationwide."
Xfinity Home provides traditional home security components, including police and fire alarm dispatch via 24-hour professional monitoring, as well as the ability to adjust digital thermostats, turn lights on or off and watch secure live streaming video from wireless cameras while away from home.
"We see many benefits in having Xfinity Home available to all areas we serve," LeAnn Talbot, senior vice president of Comcast's Freedom Region, said in a statement. "We know from direct feedback and surveys that our customers want a home monitoring service from Comcast, and our ability to market the product widely will go a long way in boosting awareness and adoption."
The Xfinity Home Preferred Package starts at $39.95 per month, plus a $199 one-time installation fee. Comcast requires a three-year minimum-term service contract. According to the operator, customers of the service are eligible to receive up to a 20% discount on their homeowners insurance.
Comcast uses a third-party alarm-monitoring provider, COPS Monitoring, based in Williamstown, N.J., to handle emergency dispatch functions.
Xfinity Home is provided through the broadband-based "smart home" platform from Redwood City, Calif.-based iControl Networks, in which Comcast is an investor. The service provides customizable settings, such as setting up real-time e-mail or text alerts when doors open or close or when motion detectors are triggered. In addition, Xfinity Home includes a tablet-like touchscreen panel with a menu of widgets that provide weather, news, traffic, and sports scores.
Customers also can download the free Xfinity Home Security app from Apple's iTunes App Store, to securely access home security and automation features including live video streaming via an iPad or iPhone. More info on Xfinity Home is available at xfinity.com/homesecurity.
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