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Comcast Jumps Into The Home Security Game
Though services come with a steep $770-$1100 ETF

It's really no secret that in the brain of many ISP executives, they see a future where they literally provide everything to everyone. In addition to phone, wireless, broadband and TV services, ISPs have long had their eye on home automation and security services as well. This is a market Verizon's very interested in jumping into with FiOS -- but Comcast appears first to the punch, launching their new Xfinity home security product in Houston.

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According to the Xfinity Home Security website, the service is available in two flavors. Their "basic" offering provides the usual range of home security options, including door and window intrusion detection and video monitoring. Their "preferred" option includes a wide variety of home automation services -- including remote climate and lighting controls.

The company also offers a bunch of accessories, including networked fire alarms and thermostats. All of this is of course manageable via either the Internet or smartphone, with an Xfinity Home Security application already available in the iTunes application store. Comcast isn't saying how quickly this security service is expanding, but the Houston deployment is technically a "trial." And no, we're guessing none of it counts against your 250 GB monthly bandwidth cap (Error code 4217: fire alarm inoperable, bandwidth limit exceeded).

Update: One user points out that the ETF on these services is very steep. As in $770 for the basic service, and $1100 for the Premier service.
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Jim Kirk
Premium Member
join:2005-12-09
49985

Jim Kirk

Premium Member

No thanks

Yeah... I really want to entrust my home security system to Comcast.

NickD
Premium Member
join:2000-11-17
Princeton Junction, NJ

NickD

Premium Member

Re: No thanks

Burglars must be rejoicing at this.

GNH
I know my limitations.
Premium Member
join:1999-12-20
Canyon Lake, TX

1 edit

GNH

Premium Member

Re: No thanks

Funny, one of the first security systems available for residential service was QUBE, which was a Warner Amex subsidiary. We installed it in our home and a business in the early 80s; during the franchise wars. Worked great for us until they got out of the market and several others came in... we went to a local provider, then to ADT... [then to Brinks, which became Broadview, and now it's ADT. What goes around comes around?]

[edit] evolution added
ohasten
join:2003-10-20
San Diego, CA

ohasten

Member

Re: No thanks

I was selling PCs in Seattle in the early 80's and used to use QUBE as an example of the future of PCs.
Mark H
Premium Member
join:2008-05-18
Sterling Heights, MI

Mark H to Jim Kirk

Premium Member

to Jim Kirk
I searched the home improvement forum here the other day looking for a network-able thermostat but struck out. Anyone know of a good one for home use?

Mike Miller
@comcast.net

Mike Miller

Anon

Re: No thanks

I actually srecently tumbled across something for that called SproutBoard. Although, it's the core for a full system, overkill for a single component

TJ_in_IL
join:2006-06-10
Winthrop Harbor, IL

TJ_in_IL to Mark H

Member

to Mark H
Check out BAYweb products. They have the least expensive that I have seen (approx. $200), and has some great features.

TJ

camper
just visiting this planet
Premium Member
join:2010-03-21
Bethel, CT

camper to Mark H

Premium Member

to Mark H
said by Mark H:

I searched the home improvement forum here the other day looking for a network-able thermostat but struck out. Anyone know of a good one for home use?
Try this place: »www.smarthome.com/
camper

camper to Jim Kirk

Premium Member

to Jim Kirk
said by Jim Kirk:

Yeah... I really want to entrust my home security system to Comcast.
There is no way I'd entrust my home security system to Comcast, and have to worry about dealing with Comcast's horrific customer service. There are just too many other good security vendors out there, most of whom have excellent customer service.
Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

2 edits

Joe12345678

Member

Will there be a mouthy rent fee per Device?

Will there be a mouthy rent fee per Device? Like how comcast does with cable boxes? and NO we will not trun on Devices that you payed for on your own.
neufuse
join:2006-12-06
James Creek, PA

neufuse

Member

Re: Will there be a mouthy rent fee per Device?

personally they should have an interconnected firealarm relay module... all new homes are built with interconnected fire alarm systems in places... its a code requirement now... I would not want to have to replace that system with some one comcast sells... just give me a module that connects to that system that relays the fact its going off back to them...
Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

Joe12345678

Member

Re: Will there be a mouthy rent fee per Device?

said by neufuse:

personally they should have an interconnected firealarm relay module... all new homes are built with interconnected fire alarm systems in places... its a code requirement now... I would not want to have to replace that system with some one comcast sells... just give me a module that connects to that system that relays the fact its going off back to them...
fine we will rent you a cable card like module but some stuff that you get with our main system will not work with that cable card like module.
alfnoid
MVM
join:2002-02-18

alfnoid to neufuse

MVM

to neufuse
yeah so each time you burn toast you have a fire truck show up.

You know they (fire dept) start charging you for false alarms after the first couple.

Bad idea all around.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 edit

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Will there be a mouthy rent fee per Device?

said by alfnoid:

yeah so each time you burn toast you have a fire truck show up.

You know they (fire dept) start charging you for false alarms after the first couple.

False Alarm guidelines let you call off a dispatch if you know the alarm is an error.

»media2.comcast.net/anon. ··· arms.pdf
quote:
Set up Enhanced Call Verification
You may request the central monitoring
center to use ECV when your alarm
activates. If they receive no answer at the
alarm site, they call a responsible party’s
or authorized user’s cell phone prior to
requesting a law enforcement dispatch.
More false alarm info:
»customer.comcast.com/Pag ··· 087c443a
Ulmo
join:2005-09-22
Aptos, CA

Ulmo

Member

Re: Will there be a mouthy rent fee per Device?

"No, I did not get a bullet to my head after 1 minute ago when the Verification Call got put into your call queue. Yes, they're still here, waiting for you to do the Verification Call before you dispatch anyone, just to give you a chance to catch them. Yes, I'm fine, they didn't do anything to stop my ability to handle the situation."

Why have a security system in the first place, then?

xpkranger
Premium Member
join:2000-10-27
Tucker, GA

xpkranger

Premium Member

Re: Will there be a mouthy rent fee per Device?

It's not a perfect system, to be sure. There are so many false alarms that keep the police tied up, not doing more useful duties. I don't know what the solution is. You'd have to have your own on-site security guard to come closer to eliminate false alarms. (and speaking from experience, some of them are very good, but others aren't always on top of things or the most trustworthy either.)
neufuse
join:2006-12-06
James Creek, PA

neufuse

Member

hehe

Fire Alarm not authorized call 1-800-COMCAST to get the fire alarm authorized.

spewak
R.I.P Dadkins
Premium Member
join:2001-08-07
Elk Grove, CA
·Consolidated Com..

spewak

Premium Member

Re: hehe

said by neufuse:

Fire Alarm not authorized call 1-800-COMCAST to get the fire alarm authorized.
"Would you prefer the 8-12 am appt. or the 1-5 pm appt. to extinguish your house fire?"

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: hehe

said by spewak:

said by neufuse:

Fire Alarm not authorized call 1-800-COMCAST to get the fire alarm authorized.
"Would you prefer the 8-12 am appt. or the 1-5 pm appt. to extinguish your house fire?"
LOL. But the actual monitoring is done by security industry approved local monitoring companies and not by Comcast.

insomniac
Oh Yeah
Premium Member
join:2002-09-22
Naperville, IL

insomniac to neufuse

Premium Member

to neufuse
"We will provide security to your home UP TO 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Continuous monitoring of your home is not guaranteed."

beachintech
There's sand in my tool bag
Premium Member
join:2008-01-06

beachintech

Premium Member

A little late?

A little late on the reporting here? This has been out for a long time.

Sterling
IP Support Tier III
Premium Member
join:2003-05-30
Pittsburgh, PA

Sterling

Premium Member

Re: A little late?

Yeah that's what I was thinking when I read this, This has been in Houston for at least the past 4 years
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2 to beachintech

Premium Member

to beachintech
It's about time.. Comcast has been talking about home security systems since 1996 for as far back as I can remember.. but yea, it's old news, like you said, since it's been in TX for a while now.
axus
join:2001-06-18
Washington, DC

axus

Member

Great

It's a good idea for Comcast, they can offer it as part of their bundles. I think more competition in home security is a good thing. My home security system was Brinks, which became Broadview, and now it looks like ADT is buying them.

There are several local companies that offer cheaper home security, check dslreports forums ;p But, the more competition the better for everyone.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 edit

FFH5

Premium Member

Watch out for install & service agreement

This product has some pretty stiff termination fees and rules concerning its use:
»media2.comcast.net/anon. ··· ment.pdf

$1100 ETF for Premier svc
$770 ETF for Basic svc
False Alarm provisos terminating service
If Comcast or their sub-contractors damage your property max liability is $250 on them

The user manual:
»media2.comcast.net/anon. ··· nual.pdf

More detailed info from Comcast on this product:
»customer.comcast.com/Pag ··· Security

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

1 edit

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Watch out for install & service agreement

Good eye. Yikes!

TuxRaiderPen
A Warm Embrace
join:2009-06-02
Outer Rim

TuxRaiderPen to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
said by ThrowDemsOut :
If Comcast or their sub-contractors damage your property max liability is $250 on them
Holy Banana Beans...

Where's the self install kit...
cooldude9919
join:2000-05-29

cooldude9919

Member

Re: Watch out for install & service agreement

said by TuxRaiderPen:

said by ThrowDemsOut :
If Comcast or their sub-contractors damage your property max liability is $250 on them
Holy Banana Beans...

Where's the self install kit...
Indeed. What if they hit an electric line or water pipe? Damage could easily be several times that.

Jim Kirk
Premium Member
join:2005-12-09
49985

Jim Kirk

Premium Member

Re: Watch out for install & service agreement

said by cooldude9919:

said by TuxRaiderPen:

said by ThrowDemsOut :
If Comcast or their sub-contractors damage your property max liability is $250 on them
Holy Banana Beans...

Where's the self install kit...
Indeed. What if they hit an electric line or water pipe? Damage could easily be several times that.
With Comcast's track record, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few houses burned down during the install process.

SteveLV702
Premium Member
join:2004-04-22
Las Vegas, NV

SteveLV702

Premium Member

Re: Watch out for install & service agreement

said by Jim Kirk:

With Comcast's track record, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few houses burned down during the install process.
or install tech just fall asleep on our couch

ropeguru
Premium Member
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA

ropeguru to cooldude9919

Premium Member

to cooldude9919
said by cooldude9919:

said by TuxRaiderPen:

said by ThrowDemsOut :
If Comcast or their sub-contractors damage your property max liability is $250 on them
Holy Banana Beans...

Where's the self install kit...
Indeed. What if they hit an electric line or water pipe? Damage could easily be several times that.
Me thinks the $wtp liability limit would never hold up in court.
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

1 recommendation

moonpuppy (banned) to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

If Comcast or their sub-contractors damage your property max liability is $250 on them
That's enough for me to never consider it.

hambone42
Peace, through superior firepower
Premium Member
join:2002-02-02
Manassas, VA

hambone42 to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
Comcast reliability, limited liability, *and* a four-figure ETF? YGBSM!!!

I want some of whatever the heck they're smoking up there in Kabletown.
rick0204
join:2009-05-20
North Bergen, NJ

rick0204

Member

Time Warner has been doing this for years

I am in a Cablevision area of New Jersey but was able to get a security system with Time Warner Cable. The monthly fee is about $27.00 and this includes 3 keypads, door and window magnets and motion detectors. Service is included also. The 24 hour monitoring center is one of the best that I have ever had. No termination fee at all. My only complaint is that when I call for service the Reps don't get it right away that I have no cable service but just a security system.

newview
Ex .. Ex .. Exactly
Premium Member
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD

newview

Premium Member

I can just see it now . . .

'I'm sorry sir, but to fully protect your home you'll have to subscribe to our cableTV service."

No thanks.

tvtek
Live life to its fullest
Premium Member
join:2004-03-07
Walnut Creek, CA

tvtek

Premium Member

Oh great

Great just what I need, a bunch of Comcast vans to show up when my house is on fire!....
old_wiz_60
join:2005-06-03
Bedford, MA

1 recommendation

old_wiz_60

Member

Re: Oh great

Better yet, Comcast vans showing up when burglar alarm goes off. I can just see several Comcast techs running around like the Keystone Cops trying to find the burglar.

Daarken
Rara Avises
Premium Member
join:2005-01-12
Southwest LA

Daarken

Premium Member

Suddenlink Security

Suddenlink Cable has been offering home security for a while now, and several months ago became licensed to operate in Louisiana.

The issues I have with this is that in Louisiana a security technician has to also be licensed and have a complete background check, which is rather thorough and if you don't pass it, your application will be rejected.

dsldude08
Premium Member
join:2008-01-03
La Crosse, WI

dsldude08

Premium Member

Re: Suddenlink Security

said by Daarken:

The issues I have with this is that in Louisiana a security technician has to also be licensed and have a complete background check, which is rather thorough and if you don't pass it, your application will be rejected.
You have a problem with this? From a consumers perspective, that would make me more likely purchase such a product...

Daarken
Rara Avises
Premium Member
join:2005-01-12
Southwest LA

Daarken

Premium Member

Re: Suddenlink Security

The only problem I have with it is that suddenlink, can easily send out a non licensed installer for the security work itself rather then what is required.
However I am glad that they are following the guidelines and laws so far.

ilikeme
Premium Member
join:2002-08-27
Stafford, TX

ilikeme

Premium Member

Nothing new

This is not new. Time Warner was offering alarm systems in Houston before the Comcast take-over in 2006 or 2007, and Comcast has been offering the same thing ever since.

•••
Peter Rogers
join:2010-10-08
Washington, DC

Peter Rogers

Member

Home security

There are lots of concerns about a cable company providing home security - and a separate set of concerns about home security delivered via broadband. It's just as easy for an intruder to sever the broadband connection as a phone line - and this is happening more and more. Cellular is the way to go. More an more alarm companies are offering GSM monitoring, and even include all the interactive services that the next-gen community wants (remote arm/disarm, text & email notifications, even apps). Some companies (like ours) even have video - but the video is broadband-based, since it's rarely a life-safety issue. Note: I work for FrontPoint Security, and have been in the alarm industry over 20+ years.
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

Re: Home security

GSM is EASILY hacked on current systems. Just sayin'. Though ith LTE and HSPA+ M2M modules are getting closer to being less hackable.
hemi427
Premium Member
join:2002-08-14
Niles, MI

hemi427

Premium Member

oops..

i can just see it.. the thief walks up to the outside of your house, cuts the cable wire and walks right in and cleans you out

•••
krazymon2
join:2008-01-13
Coraopolis, PA

1 edit

krazymon2

Member

They know when you're home

Anyone think that they could use this data to find out when you are home and how frequently when you spend time at home do you watch TV or surf the internet?

Could also work in our favor though if they take a look at the data to see what times people are at home for scheduling appointments.
Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

Joe12345678

Member

Re: They know when you're home

said by krazymon2:

Anyone think that they could use this data to find out when you are home and how frequently when you spend time at home do you watch TV or surf the internet?

Could also work in our favor though if they take a look at the data to see what times people are at home for scheduling appointments.
I think the cable box reports alot of info about what is being view anyways.

Murdoc49
Premium Member
join:2009-02-08
Manitowoc, WI

Murdoc49

Premium Member

Exspensivecast home security.

150 dollars more if you don't bundle our cable tv.

skuv
@rr.com

skuv

Anon

Time Warner Cable already offers this...

Time Warner Cable already offers this in some of its markets.

Just standard home alarm service with a standard looking alarm panel.

panth1
The Coyote
join:2000-12-11
Port Saint Lucie, FL

panth1

Member

Installation

Who is doing the installs, Comcast or a contractor?

Mirazh
join:2001-03-01
Mountain View, CA

Mirazh

Member

Monopoly Much...

FFS,

Monopoly Much?
Way to kill competition & capitalism whilst promoting the join or die mentality.

Yep, just keep on giving opportunities to companies/people/government who ALREADY HAVE TO MUCH influence and control.

You won't feel so safe once that bill is due after x amount of years that have passed after idiots have handed Comcast the keys to their home security.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
That corruption is passed on via your monthly bill.

No Thanks.
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

Re: Monopoly Much...

Don't buy and you won't add to the corruption.

Also, Comcast isn't the first to add security services as a "play" for their services. Two telephone cooperatives in my area (central TX, not Golden CO) have security as one of their options...it means one telco can offer "triple play" while the other one can do "quadruple play."

I guess Comcast users in Houston can do...5-play???...thanks to cable + internet + phone + security + mobile broadband...

...which reminds me, in Houston Comcast could use WiMAX as their cellular backup for if someone snips the cable into the house. Wonder if they're thinking of doing this.
MattAKM
join:2002-08-04
Anoka, MN

MattAKM

Member

Open Season

If it works like their phone service I might as well leave the front door wide open.

Mr Anon
@comcast.net

Mr Anon

Anon

Ha!

The one time I am actually glad they have not upgraded my cable system to digital....they can't offer their crummy home insecurity system to me.

Comcast management are idiots. You would think they would want to upgrade 100% of their cable systems to digital, just so they could spam 100% of their customers with their sorry products.

Most corporate executives are extremely greedy and will do anything to increase their revenue stream. Not Comcast.

I guess several billion dollars per year of net profit is enough for them.
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