Cable providers are constantly looking to increase their average revenue per user (ARPU), naturally. But there’s only so much they can charge for basic levels of service, and increasingly consumer pressure to keep prices down makes raising the cost of content-only packages a tricky situation.

 

One way to increase revenue is to identify and deploy new services, and Austin-based uControl is hoping to fill the need by developing a platform that would enable security, monitoring, and automation (SMA (News - Alert)) services in the subscriber’s home.

 

uControl has just announced a brand-new SMA Platform and TouchScreen combo designed for deployment in homes regardless of whether they have an existing wired alarm system or require a new wireless alarm system to be installed.

 

The uControl TouchScreen is the focal point of the solution. The device comprises a seven-inch WVGA TouchScreen that is about the size of a traditional alarm keypad. It can be placed anywhere within the home – either mounted on a wall or placed on a table or countertop. In Greenfield deployments, the device behaves as a stand-alone wireless alarm system that communicates directly with wireless peripherals and sensors. If deployed in a home with an existing alarm system, the TouchScreen replaces one of the existing keypads and leverages all of the existing equipment, sensors and wiring in the home. Both scenarios offer the same feature set and user experience.

 

According to a March ABI Research (News - Alert) report, analyst Sam Lucero states that, “Telcos and broadband service providers are uniquely positioned to roll managed home automation and monitoring services out on a large scale, to publicize them, and to educate consumers about their value.”

 

uControl’s president, Jim Johnson told TMCnet that this solution can help cable companies shorten the sales cycle and positions them to reap the benefits of an underserved market. “When people move,” Johnson said, “they already call their cable company to turn off or turn on their service.” Since technicians are already being deployed to the home, there’s no need to roll separate trucks to deploy the system. Furthermore, since cable companies already have a relationship with the customer, the cost of customer acquisition decreases.

 

“uControl has spent the past year perfecting what we believe will revolutionize the SMA industry,” said Johnson. “Our service provider partners encouraged us to create a home security solution that could easily be deployed in all home environments and could serve as the launch pad for the digital home applications that their customers are beginning to demand.”

 

The TouchScreen can also act as a lightweight network information appliance. The always-connected nature of the device allows service providers to deliver video, photos, web content and other applications via a standards-based Widget Platform. According to uControl, the Widget Platform enhances the company’s ability to control media and entertainment functions within the home, and manage thermostat and lighting controls to help homeowners manage power usage and costs.