Comcast targets porch pirates with latest offering

Today, Comcast announced a new DIY security offering called "Self Protection". The plan costs $10 per month for up to four 1080p cameras but an xFi gateway is required along with a subscription to Comcast’s internet service.

Back in 2018, Comcast discussed a similar offering that allowed customers to only purchase a camera, rather than an entire security system, so this offering isn’t entirely novel for the company. Perhaps what is different now is that it includes 24/7 video recording and up to four cameras and AI that detectors people, vehicles and pets.

Expensive but competitive

How does this stack up to what’s already available for consumers? At first glance, it is expensive compared to Ring, Nest and Arlo. With Ring, users get cloud storage, advanced features for all cameras/doorbells and professional alarm monitoring. Nest recently revamped its Nest Aware offering to just $6 a month for all cameras and doorbells. Arlo smart plans are about $10 per month for up to five cameras.

This $10 a month security camera plan is unique because it relies on the xFi gateway that offers advanced security features, like Wi-Fi monitoring for external threats. Plus, the $10 a month includes continuous video recording (CVR). According to a recent smart home as a service report from Omdia, the average additional cost of CVR is about $8 per month. For example, Arlo requires a separate plan, while Nest requires a Nest Aware Plus, costing $12 each month.

Consumer security camera market is thriving

Overall, it makes sense Comcast is looking to do more to tap into the consumer security camera market.

Omdia estimated the consumer video hardware market in the Americas to be worth about $1.1 billion in 2020, with RMR from cloud storage topping $145 million.

It’s a crowded space and Comcast has been one of the few cable companies (globally) to integrate security and home automation into its overarching platform (voice remote + gateway cyber security, etc.) while offering its own security products, rather than relying on 3rd parties.

Low-cost competitors will challenge longevity

With no contract required, it can be expected many of the 15 million + Comcast internet customers will opt for the service during the holidays to monitor porch pirates but with dozens of lower cost options for cameras, a high take rate for the Self Protection plan may not be sustainable. Nevertheless, this camera plan will expand the portfolio while testing the possible discontinuation of the Xfinity Home app, with focus put squarely on xFi.