Verizon (NYSE: VZ) is signaling that it's ready to take another stab at the home automation market with a new service.
This is a bit of a new turn for the telco. In February, Verizon stopped accepting orders for its Home Monitoring and Control product, saying that it would only allow FiOS customers who already subscribe to the $9.99 monthly service to continue using it. At that time, the telco said it would consider introducing a new home automation product, but did not specify what approach it would take.
But in March, a FierceCable story citing FCC test documents revealed that Verizon may be preparing to deploy a FiOS Quantum Gateway and Zigbee home automation module supplied by Irvine, Calif.-based GreenWave Reality.
According to a Zatz Not Funny blog post, a customer who was searching for information to upgrade their existing FiOS router found the FiOS Quantum Gateway G1100 was an option. The FiOS Quantum Gateway, model number FiOS-G1100, will support the new 802.11ac wireless networking standard and can transfer data to devices connected to a home network at speeds of up to 1.3 Gbps.
Greenwave's device also can potentially support the Zigbee home automation standard via a HAN expansion port.
"We have always said we planned to release a market-leading router that will provide a simple and intuitive customer experience," said Harry Mitchell, a Verizon spokesman, in an e-mail to FierceTelecom. "We're still on track to deliver that, but I have no more details at the moment."
The telco is just one of many service providers that have been pursuing a home automation strategy. Fellow telco AT&T (NYSE: T) has been aggressively rolling out its wireless-based Digital Life throughout its wireline and wireless network footprints. Likewise, cable rival Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) continues to build its home services business for its Xfinity customer base.
For more:
- Zatz Not Funny has this post
Related articles:
GreenWave Reality builds FiOS Quantum Gateway for Verizon
Verizon drops Home Monitoring and Control service
Updated article on Sept. 3 with a quote from a Verizon spokesman.