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Comcast's 10 million Xfinity Internet customers now have access to the Xfinity xFi smart home platform, which Comcast previewed at the CES show in January this year.
The xFi service, which launched yesterday, gives Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) Xfinity customers access to a digital dashboard to manage connected devices on their home WiFi network, set parental controls (including the option to pause WiFi access), create user profiles and troubleshoot connectivity issues. (See Comcast Unveils Smart Home Platform and Comcast 'X1 of the Internet' Arrives.)
Comcast customers can access the xFi dashboard "via a mobile app, website and on the TV with the X1 voice remote," according to the release. The new platform is immediately available at no extra cost to Xfinity Internet customers with a compatible Xfinity WiFi device such as the xFi Wireless Gateway or the xFi Advanced Gateway.
"The adoption and use of connected devices has grown dramatically and Comcast has created a solution that makes it easy to control and manage them," said Eric Schaefer, senior VP of Internet and Communications Services for Comcast Cable, in the announcement. Schaefer also explained that the xFi service provides customers with the ability to "address common pain points" to improve their home WiFi experience.
Comcast has also re-named its wireless gateway device, formerly the XB3, the "xFi Wireless Gateway," as part of the xFi launch. Customers on the fastest Internet speed tiers can utilize the new "xFi Advanced Gateway," which is DOCSIS 3.1-compatible and capable of delivering up to 9 Gbit/s of throughput, and supports Xfinity Voice, home security and automation applications.
Later in 2017, Comcast broadband customers will be able to extend the reach of WiFi coverage in their home once the MSO releases xFi pods, which can be paired with the xFi Wireless Gateway or the xFi Advanced Gateway. The xFi pods stem from Comcast's investment last month in the startup company Plume -- the pods utilize Plume and xFi technology to provide more seamless WiFi coverage to the whole home. Comcast projects that the number of xFi-ready homes will increase to around 15 million by the end of this year as more of Comcast's devices are upgraded to support xFi and more customers choose the xFi Advanced Gateway.
— Kelsey Kusterer Ziser, Senior Editor, Light Reading
(Home page image source: Jason Weitzel, Comcast)
