As the summer weather continues to produce strong and unpredictable storms, there is nothing worst than the power going out on your home, especially if you work from home these days. We are more reliant today than years before on a good strong wireless Internet connection in our homes since many of us work from home. And with the Hollywood writers' strike putting a damper on programming, it seems more households are also relying on streaming services for nightly entertainment. So, the timing is right for Internet Service Providers to introduce products and services that can assure their customers will not lose connectivity during or after heavy storms. And one such company, Comcast, did exactly that today.

Comcast becomes the first Internet Provider to offer a product designed to maintain connectivity when a storm hits, trees are down, or a customer experiences a local outage with the launch of Storm-Ready WiFi.

Comcast's Xfinity Storm-Ready Wi-Fi Equipped Router and Modem with Cellular BackupComcast

With storms across the country gaining intensity – data shows that hurricanes have become stronger over the last four decades* – there has never been a greater need for a back-up connectivity solution. Comcast’s new Storm-Ready WiFi device is equipped with cellular back-up and a four-hour rechargeable battery, more than enough power to keep customers up and running for the average power outage in the U.S. of two hours**. Storm-Ready WiFi gives customers peace of mind that they’ll be able to maintain connectivity at home, as it provides a seamless connection with auto-failover. When the power goes out, the customer’s network is automatically transitioned to cellular backup so they can continue the use of their Internet.

Storm-Ready WiFi also doubles as a WiFi extender to deliver a strong WiFi signal to those hard-to-reach corners of the home. The device works with Xfinity gateways to create a wall-to-wall mesh network that seamlessly extends coverage throughout customers’ homes. Storm-Ready WiFi is also WiFi 6 capable, elevating the WiFi experience in the home with faster speeds, lower latency, and increased bandwidth to power more devices in the ever-increasing connected homes of today.

“With so much of our daily lives dependent on WiFi connectivity, we knew our customers needed a product that could help keep them connected no matter what life throws at them – even during a storm,” said Emily Waldorf, SVP of Consumer Internet Services, Comcast Cable. “Storm-Ready WiFi is that solution. Not only does Storm-Ready WiFi extend coverage to deliver our best-in-class WiFi to hard-to-reach corners of the home, but it also gives customers the peace of mind that their connection at home can continue even when the power is out.”

Xfinity Storm Ready Wi-Fi Equipment works with cellular backup to keep your connection working during blackouts.Comcast

Storm-Ready WiFi’s Key Features Usher in a New Era of Reliability:

• Poweredby the Xfinity 10G Network: The Xfinity 10G Network that powers Storm-Ready WiFi provides increased speed, capacity, reliability, and lower latency. Storm-Ready WiFi is just the beginning of the next-generation Internet experience Comcast will pioneer, with rollouts of multi-gig speeds to markets across the country planned for later this year.
• Seamless, Always-On Connection and Unlimited Cellular Data: Storm-Ready WiFi automatically transitions to free unlimited cellular data during outages***. And its rechargeable backup battery maintains reliable service for customers for up to 4 hours.
• Extended WiFi Coverage: In addition to providing backup connectivity, Storm-Ready WiFi is one of the best WiFi extenders on the market today, capable of delivering high speeds over WiFi. It uses the Xfinity 10G Network and is WiFi 6-capable, which provides an added layer of strong, reliable WiFi coverage to help eliminate dead spots.
• Quick, Easy Set Up with Auto Failover: Getting started with Storm-Ready WiFi is as simple as plugging it in and following the activation flow in the Xfinity app. No activation fees are required. The device simply integrates with customers’ existing Xfinity Gateway and WiFi network, as well as the Xfinity app, without any need to switch networks in-home. Any time the Storm-Ready WiFi transitions to cellular, customers will receive a notification, and their devices will automatically maintain connectivity.
• Recycled Materials: Comcast’s commitment to sustainable innovation includes reducing materials, increasing recyclability, and utilizing recycled materials in products. Storm-Ready WiFi is Comcast’s first device designed using recycled materials, with the casing made from 65% post-consumer recycled plastic.
• Great Value: For the low price of $7 a month for 36 months, customers can purchase Storm-Ready WiFi that comes backed with WiFi extending capabilities that stretch speeds to all corners of the home, a back-up cellular connection, unlimited cellular data, a 4-hour back-up battery that gives customers the peace of mind that they’ll always be connected, even when the power goes out.

Comcast Xfinity Storm Ready Wi-Fi Equipment is available today at Xfinity Stores and on the company website.Comcast

Xfinity’s Storm-Ready WiFi goes on sale today. The device will be available for purchase at Xfinity Stores and on www.xfinity.com.

If you are a Comcast Xfinity customer and work from home, we recommend you consider upgrading to the Storm-Ready Wi-Fi. As we have seen how unpredictable these summer storms can be with knocking out power lines and you don't want to get disconnected during a business Zoom call or kids watching their favorite streaming program. Play it safe since you are your own IT guy in the house.

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