4Home, Verizon Wireless Tout 4G Home Control

Consumer Electronics Show — 4Home and Verizon Wireless are demonstrating collaboratively developed 4G home control services at this week’s CES.

Verizon’s 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network is slated for commercial launch in 2010. 4Home, the category-creator that has developed a carrier-grade software platform for connected home services, is working with Verizon Wireless to develop the first of these services over a 4G LTE network.

"Home control services have typically been considered value-added services running over a traditional high-speed internet connection,” said Jeff Crews, senior vice president, service provider rollouts at 4Home. “Verizon Wireless' continued leadership leveraging the higher bandwidths of 4G technologies opens up an entirely new market for our platform and applications. Verizon Wireless will provide the infrastructure and innovation in wireless connectivity and 4Home is providing the expertise and platform in home control services."

Home control services are broadband-enabled services that currently include energy management, home security and monitoring, home health, and media management. With the coming availability of 4G LTE mobile broadband networks, these services will integrate seamlessly into the mobile experience, allowing consumers to better manage their media, energy usage, home security and health, on the go.

Verizon is working with 4Home to develop home control services designed specifically to take advantage of its planned 4G LTE network, scheduled to roll out in 25 to 30 markets later this year. These services and their underlying software are the result of a collaboration fostered at Verizon Wireless' LTE Innovation Center, which provides an environment for diverse companies to work together in developing innovative products that will leverage 4G LTE technology. During CES, Verizon Wireless' LTE Innovations Center are showcasing 4Home's home control applications and platform software, running on the award-winning SheevaPlug plug computer reference design.