Comcast introduces back-up connectivity device for storm resilience
Comcast has introduced a new product, Storm-Ready WiFi, aimed at providing consistent connectivity during storms, local outages, or when trees are down. With increasing severe weather incidents across the country backup connectivity has become crucial. Storm-Ready WiFi features cellular backup and a four-hour rechargeable battery, ensuring operational capability during the average two-hour US power outage. This solution offers customers reassurance about maintaining home connectivity, switching to cellular backup during power disruptions to enable Internet usage
Storm-Ready WiFi also doubles as a Wi-Fi extender to deliver a better Wi-Fi signal to those hard-to-reach corners of the home. The device works with Xfinity gateways to create a wall-to-wall mesh network that extends coverage throughout customers’ homes. Storm-Ready WiFi is also Wi-Fi 6 capable, elevating the Wi-Fi experience in the home with faster speeds, lower latency and increased bandwidth to power more devices in the ever-increasing connected homes.
“With so much of our daily lives dependent on Wi-Fi connectivity, we knew our customers needed a product that could help keep them connected no matter what life throws at them even during a storm,” says Emily Waldorf, SVP, consumer internet services, Comcast Cable. “Storm-Ready WiFi is that solution. Not only does Storm-Ready WiFi extend coverage to deliver our best-in-class Wi-Fi to hard-to-reach corners of the home, but it also gives customers the peace of mind that their connection at home can continue even when the power is out.”
Storm-Ready WiFi’s features usher in new era of reliability:
- Powered by Xfinity 10G network: The Xfinity 10G network that powers Storm-Ready WiFi provides increased speed, capacity, reliability, and lower latency. Storm-Ready WiFi is just the beginning of the next-generation internet experience Comcast will roll out multi-gig speeds to markets across the country planned for later this year.
- Always-On connection and unlimited cellular data: Storm-Ready WiFi automatically transitions to free unlimited cellular data during outages. And its rechargeable back-up battery maintains reliable service for customers for up to 4 hours.
- Extended Wi-Fi coverage: In addition to providing back-up connectivity, Storm-Ready WiFi is a better Wi-Fi extenders on the market which is capable of delivering high-speeds over Wi-Fi. It uses the Xfinity 10G Network and is Wi-Fi 6-capable, which provides an added layer of strong, Wi-Fi coverage to help eliminate dead spots.
- Easy set up with auto failover: Getting started with Storm-Ready WiFi is as simple as plugging it in and following the activation flow in the Xfinity app. No activation fees are required. The device integrates with customers’ existing Xfinity Gateway and Wi-Fi network, as well as the Xfinity app, without any need to switch networks in-home. Any time the Storm-Ready WiFi transitions to cellular, customers will receive a notification and their devices will automatically maintain connectivity.
- Recycled materials: Comcast’s commitment to sustainable improvement includes reducing materials, increasing recyclability, and utilising recycled materials in products. Storm-Ready WiFi is Comcast’s device designed using recycled materials, with the casing made from 65% post-consumer recycled plastic.
- Great value: For the low price of $7 (€6.43) a month for 36 months, customers can purchase Storm-Ready WiFi that comes backed with Wi-Fi extending capabilities that stretch speeds to all corners of the home, a back-up cellular connection, unlimited cellular data, a 4-hour back-up battery that gives customers the peace of mind that they’ll always be connected, even when the power goes out.
Xfinity’s Storm-Ready WiFi goes on sale. The device will be available for purchase at Xfinity Stores and on here.
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