Comcast adds more markets across the country

PHILADELPHIA—March was an active month for Comcast as it launched its new home automation/home security service in a number of additional major markets across the country. Xfinity Home is now being offered in Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay area and parts of Connecticut and Vermont.

Comcast also launched Xfinity Home in Utah, in the backyard of big summer-model security companies such as Vivint.

But Comcast, which is based here, believes it will have no problems competing in that market, according to Bill Horrocks, VP of product management for Xfinity Home.

Horrocks said the March 7 launch was in the Salt Lake City area, where Comcast already has footprint.

“We believe there are a lot of competitive markets out there and we feel comfortable competing with the existing players,” Horrocks told Security Systems News. “We've got a really great platform that we're working with and intend to extend the capability of as we go into the future. It's a broadband-based platform that allows a lot of things that some of these primarily cellular-based systems have limitations on, and we think that bundling that with our other services will allow us to compete effectively with those traditional players.”

Vivint is not fazed by Comcast's entrance in the state, according to Alex Dunn, COO of that company, based in Provo, Utah.

"Over the last six years, Vivint has established itself as the leader in interactive security, energy management, and home automation services,” he told SSN in an email interview. “We are flattered that Comcast is following our lead. It will be interesting to see if customers will trust a cable company to provide the quality of service necessary to protect their families."

Comcast launched its Xfinity Home Security product in June 2010. The company recently renamed the service as just Xfinity Home to reflect the fact that it includes many home automation features in addition to home security.

Jamila Patton, senior manager of corporate communications for Comcast, told SSN that Xfinity Home has been rolled out in Greater Philadelphia; Portland, Ore.; Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn.; Jacksonville and Sarasota/Naples, Fla.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.; Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo.; Seattle; Manchester and other parts of southern New Hampshire, and parts of New Jersey.

“Additional markets will launch in the near future,” she said.