Comcast recently announced Storm-Ready Wi-Fi, which can maintain connectivity when a storm hits, trees are down or a customer experiences a local outage. The release makes Comcast the first internet provider to offer such a product.
Customers can set up Storm-Ready Wi-Fi by simply plugging in the device and following the activation instructions 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. Users do not have to switch networks in-home. Any time the Storm-Ready Wi-Fi transitions to cellular, customers will receive a notification and their devices will automatically maintain connectivity. The device costs $7 a month for 36 months.
Storm-Ready Wi-Fi comes at an ideal time as severe weather has impacted so many areas in the U.S. The device is equipped with cellular back-up and a four-hour rechargeable battery, which should keep customers connected as the average U.S. power outage lasts two hours. Storm-Ready Wi-Fi automatically transitions to free unlimited cellular data during outages.
Additionally, Storm-Ready Wi-Fi gives Comcast customers peace of mind that they’ll have consistent connectivity at home, as it offers a seamless connection with auto failover. When a power outage occurs, the user’s network is automatically transitioned to cellular back-up so they can continue to use their Internet.
The device also acts as a Wi-Fi extender to provide a strong signal to hard-to-reach areas of a user’s home. It works with Xfinity gateways to create a wall-to-wall mesh network that seamlessly extends coverage throughout customers’ homes. Storm-Ready Wi-Fi is also Wi-Fi 6 capable, and it uses the Xfinity 10G Network, enhancing the home wireless experience with faster speeds, lower latency and increased bandwidth to power more devices in today’s increasingly 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,” said Emily Waldorf, SVP, Consumer Internet Services, Comcast Cable. “Storm-Ready Wi-Fi is that solution. Not only does Storm-Ready Wi-Fi 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.”
The Storm-Ready Wi-Fi device is the first of a number of next-generation internet experiences Comcast plans to unveil, the company said. Multi-gig speed rollouts to markets throughout the U.S. are planned for later this year.
