By Telecom Lead Team: Verizon Communications, a provider
of broadband and other wireless and wireline communications, has joined
the Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of global companies dedicated to
promoting Z-Wave as the standard in wireless home control.
The Z-Wave Alliance has close to 600 interoperable
products world-wide.
Verizon joins a list of industry leaders in the Z-Wave
Alliance, including: 2Gig Technologies, Danfoss, Evolve Guest Controls, Fakro,
Sigma Designs, Ingersoll Rand, and Jasco Products.
“This membership is an extension of our partnership
that was formed with the debut of Verizon’s connected home products last year. We
look forward to continuing this partnership as Verizon extends its home control
offerings,” said Mark Walters, chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance.
In October 2011, Verizon launched its connected home
solution, Verizon Home Monitoring and Control, which uses Z-Wave. By
offering the solution, Verizon provides a variety of home monitoring and energy
management capabilities enabled by Z-Wave technology.
The teleco said that consumers can monitor their home’s
energy usage and control appliances and electronics remotely with a computer,
smartphone, FiOS TV, and tablets by using its connected home solution.
“Verizon’s home monitoring and control service
provides customers convenient, anytime, anywhere access and control to one of
the most important things in their lives — their home. The Z-Wave ecosystem
seamlessly connects a whole host of devices and allows our customers to control
them from a computer, smartphone, or TV,” said Ann Shaub, a director of
product management for Verizon.
Recently,
Verizon started a joint venture with Coinstar, which will create a new choice
for consumers seeking an affordable way to access the video
entertainment.
The joint venture plans to introduce the product
portfolio in the second half of 2012.
