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Comcast’s new router could be a smart-home hub
This router could presage a move by Comcast to expand its presence in the smart home market.
Internet service provider (ISP) Comcast has rolled out its xFi Advanced Gateway to all its markets in the US, bringing the high-performance router that packs in a number of smart home capabilities to a wide audience, reportsZDNet.
This latest step could presage a move by Comcast to expand its presence in the smart home market, either through an expansion of its Xfinity Home professionally installed smart home service, or by supporting various self-installed consumer devices.
The xFi Advanced Gateway supports Gigabit Wi-Fi speeds to allow fast in-network communication, but can also connect devices using smart home standards like ZigBee and Bluetooth Low-Energy (LE). The inclusion of these standards means that smart home devices like connected light bulbs, thermostats, and security cameras can use Comcast’s new router as a hub, eliminating the need for separate third-party hub.
This is similar to what Amazon is trying to accomplish with its Echo Plus smart speaker, which includes a similar smart home hub with connectivity. Both companies are looking to make it easier to set up and use smart home devices by eliminating a piece of hardware and a potential barrier.
Comcast is opening up a couple of potential routes to growth with its xFi Advanced Gateway and expanded smart home support:
- It could look to strengthen its Xfinity Home professionally installed smart home product.
- 1.79 million subscribers
- The ISP could also introduce support and management for consumer-grade self-installed smart home devices.
- Vodafone
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