MUMBAIl US cable major Comcast has expanded its new home security business into six additional U.S. market areas.
Xfinity Home Security offers traditional home security components like police and fire alarm protection backed by 24/7 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.
The service also comes with a new Xfinity Security app, which is available for free on Apple’s iTunes App Store.
“Xfinity Home Security brings digital home monitoring to a new level,” said Mitch Bowling, SVP and GM of new businesses for Comcast Cable. “It comes with a range of broadband-based technologies that empower customers to stay better connected to their home virtually anytime, anywhere.”
Xfinity Home Security offers consumers the ability to create personalized settings that can do things like provide real-time e-mail or text alerts when doors open or close or when motion detectors report activity occurring inside or outside of the home.
In addition, the service comes with a tablet-like touch screen with a menu of widgets that allow access to the latest weather, news, traffic, and sports scores.
In addition to 24/7 professional monitoring, Xfinity Home Security provides customers the ability to:
* watch live streaming video of their home via video wireless video cameras;
* access security controls remotely via a Web portal or the Xfinity Security app for the iPhone;
* manage home utilities like digital thermostats and lights;
* have more peace of mind since both battery and cellular backup helps ensure customers remain fully protected even in the event of a power outage;
* access features from some of Comcast’s existing services. For example, an Xfinity Voice customer could listen to a voicemail through an app on the security interface.
Today, Comcast is selling the Xfinity Home Security Preferred Package for as low as $39.95 per month. Xfinity Home Security customers will also be eligible to receive up to a 20 per cent discount on their homeowners’ insurance.
The service was first unveiled in Houston in mid 2010 and is now being rolled out in parts of Philadelphia, Portland, Jacksonville, Sarasota/Naples, Chattanooga and Nashville. Additional markets will be introduced on a rolling basis.
