Deutsche Telekom now wants to smooth the way for its customers into smart, connected homes – and is integrating Magenta SmartHome features in its Speedport Smart router.
The router do not just manage phone calls, Internet and TV; they can also control smart home devices, said the German telecommunications service provider.
To this end, in addition to Wi-Fi, the Speedport Smart now also supports the DECT ULE cordless standard – enabling the integration of smoke detectors, thermostats, and many other smart devices. Other protocols can be retrofitted via USB port. A USB stick for the ZigBee protocol is already available and a stick for the Homematic IP protocol is scheduled for release in fall 2017. Newly shipped Speedport Smart routers will gain the additional features, and routers already installed by customers will receive a firmware update.
Deutsche Telekom is also eliminating other barriers for customers who want to get started with smart home features: the installation of the smart home features in the Speedport Smart routers includes a free version of the company's SmartHome service, with many basic functions. Undecided customers can test the benefits of Deutsche Telekom's Magenta SmartHome Basic offering for themselves.
Deutsche Telekom is also launching a new portfolio of components for Magenta SmartHome under its own brand. The devices, with their exclusive Telekom design, feature the established, secure DECT ULE cordless standard and include smoke and motion detectors, door and window contacts, and indoor sirens. Other devices, such as a connector plug for outdoors, will be released soon.
Niek Jan Van Dammer, Member of the Deutsche Telekom Board
We have been a reliable partner to our customers for many years when it comes to telecommunications and entertainment. So it's only natural to act as partners for security, convenience, and energy conservation, too.
Henri Vandre, Head of Smart Home at Telekom Deutschland
That means we equipped 170,000 households in Germany with a control center for Magenta SmartHome overnight. And we will be shipping around 1.2 million additional smart routers every year.
