Ahead of a nationwide rollout by year’s end, Time Warner Cable has launched its home automation service, which is called IntelligentHome, in all of its Carolinas markets as well as in Kansas City and Maine this week.
Time Warner Cable finished up last year with IntelligentHome available in six of its markets.
Home automation and security services are an emerging product line for service providers. In addition to Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Cox Communications, Rogers Communications, Comcast, Verizon and AT&T are battling incumbent home security companies such as ADT in the home security sector.
IntelligentHome offers 24/7 professional home security monitoring, fire and carbon monoxide detection, paired with tools that allow customers to remotely track the daily events taking place in their homes as well as the ability to adjust lighting and thermostats remotely. Users can access their system and have access to real-time information no matter where they are via any broadband connection, the TWC IntelligentHome smart phone apps, and through customized text and email alerts.
“Time Warner Cable IntelligentHome gives our customers a new way to stay connected to home and the things that matter most. Our technology provides professional monitoring plus direct customer access to information about the home, all with a level of flexibility and control that traditional home security systems can’t deliver. We know this is what many of our customers need and we’re excited to deliver this innovative solution that is easy to access, operate and customize,” said Darrel Hegar, executive vice president of operations, Time Warner Cable Carolinas.
Charlotte, N.C. was an original launch market for IntelligentHome prior to it becoming widely available this week.
Time Warner Cable is offering free standard installation for customers who currently subscribe to another provider’s home security service, if they switch to IntelligentHome. The service cost $33.99 a month while installation starts at $99.
Cable operators’ advantages in offering home automation services include their broadband pipes into customers’ homes, existing relationships with subscribers, and, in some cases, the ability to work with existing home security systems.
Home automation services bring in incremental revenues for cable operators, and, according to a study, reduce subscriber churn. According to ABI Research, home automation shipments nearly doubled from 2011 to 2012 in the United States.