UControl enters residential security market

SAN DIEGO--Security news was being made at another conference happening here in San Diego. At DEMOfall '06, a show designed to showcase innovative technologies, uControl announced a new home-security service that provides redundant connectivity by enhancing existing security systems. Using existing keypads, controllers and sensors, uControl's product communicates to its UL-listed monitoring station via broadband, cellular and phone lines, and allows home owners to operate their systems remotely. Users can arm and disarm, receive alerts, and manage other features through a web browser interface or with a cell phone. The service, which will be available to roughly 50 percent of American homes in November, will be priced at $24.95 a month for broadband-only, or at $32.95 for broadband and cellular connectivity. Homeowners that switch from their current monitoring provider to uControl will be asked to sign either three-month or month-to-month contracts. UControl hopes to serve the entire United States by early 2007. Read an interview with uControl president Jim Johnson in the November issue of Security Systems News.