AT&T will kick off its home security and monitoring service in
15 US markets, seeking to develop revenue streams beyond cellphone
services.
The No. 2 US mobile service provider expects its Digital Life service to eventually bring in $1 billion in annual revenue.
While
AT&T, which reported first quarter revenue of $31.4 billion, still
sells a lot of smartphones, growth in this sector is slowing for
operators and AT&T posted a net loss of phone subscribers in the
first quarter. Cable rival Comcast is also offering home security
services in an effort to broaden revenues.
After
its initial launch in cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver
and San Francisco, AT&T said it will bring the service to as many
as 50 US markets by the end of 2013.
For
AT&T's most basic home security service, it will charge $29.99 a
month and an additional $149.99 fee for equipment and its installation.
Comcast's lowest listed price for its security service is $39.95 per
month.
Additional options include motion
sensors, smoke sensors, live video streaming from the house, water leak
detection and remote control of appliances, lights, doors and
thermostats.
