Verizon Communications’ remote monitoring service is undergoing tests in New Jersey. It offers homeowners anytime, anywhere access to lights, thermostats, appliances and monitoring systems, via smart phones, computers and fiber-optic service TV.
Verizon Communications' remote monitoring service is undergoing tests in New Jersey. It offers homeowners anytime, anywhere access to lights, thermostats, appliances and monitoring systems, via smart phones, computers and fiber-optic service TV.
You are miles away from home when you realize that you forgot to lock the front door. With a fully integrated and customizable home monitoring and control service developed by Verizon, you won't have to frantically call a friend or neighbor. The service, now in the trial phase and expected to be available in the first half of 2011, will enable customers to lock doors remotely; see what's going on with network cameras; and control lights, smart thermostats and appliances — all by using a smart phone, computer or through fiber-optic service (FiOS) TV.
Beginning in January, a pilot program for home monitoring and control will be conducted in New Jersey. The homes selected for the program will be outfitted with an energy reader, smart appliance switches and thermostats, a smart power strip, a smart door and window locks, motion sensors, a pan-tilt camera and a fixed indoor and outdoor camera.
“What we'll be testing in these homes is just the beginning,” said Eric Bruno, VP of Product Management for Verizon Communications. “We're giving customers a remote control for their homes that they can use to cut carbon dioxide emissions and their energy bills and give them anytime, anywhere access and control of their homes. The concept of the connected home has been discussed for many years, and now Verizon's high-IQ networks are making that concept a reality by converting customers' homes into bandwidth-rich ecosystems that enable a wide variety of customizable options.”
Platforms for Innovation
Since launching FiOS, Verizon has pushed the boundaries of TV and broadband speed by introducing innovations.
Verizon is one of the first U.S. providers to offer ultrahigh- speed symmetrical Internet service to customers. In 2010, the company began offering 150/35 megabits per second (Mbps) Internet service, the fastest speeds available on a mass scale. Consumers can choose from various FiOS Internet downstream and upstream options up to 50/20 Mbps.
Verizon also offers a Media Manager, available to all HD customers, that enables them to access PC-based personal photos, videos and music — as well as search and enjoy online videos from YouTube, blip.tv and Dailymotion. DVR customers can remotely access their DVRs from any broadband connection or Internet-enabled phone. And in November 2010, Verizon launched Flex View, a new feature that allows customers to take their video content with them and purchase, rent or watch videos on TV, online and on select mobile devices.