Grande stepping into the security market

January 13, 2005 SAN MARCOS, Texas - For some telecommunications companies, such as Time Warner Cable, moving into the security field has worked. For others - such as Adelphia Communications - it has been a rough road. Regardless of the past histories of other firms, Grande Communications, a telecommunications company based here, sees security going hand in hand with its current service offerings of high-speed Internet, local- and long-distance telephone and digital cable. And in the fourth quarter of 2004, the company launched its security division - offering a wireless security system to subscribers throughout Texas. “Adding security is a natural extension of our skills,” said William Morrow, chairman and chief executive officer of Grande Communications. “We install technology in homes already. With that backdrop, we think we have an advantage over traditional security companies.” Grande is offering a wireless security system provided by SecTec Global, a company with offices in New York and San Antonio that focuses on providing security products and services to cable companies entering the security market. According to Morrow and Karen Sussman, vice president of marketing at SecTec, the fact that the system, which is customizable for small or large residences as well as small businesses, is wireless is advantageous. “There are a lot of features because it is wireless,” Sussman said. “It is easy to install and highly reliable.” For more on this story see the February issue on Security Systems News.