Almost the Jetsons: Eastlink home security brings home automation

Forgot to turn off the stove? Want to make sure the kids got home safely from school? Eastlink's expansion into the home security industry allows customers to almost Jetson-ize their homes.

Known for its cable television, home telephone and Internet services, the business has now branched out into the home security and automation business.

While the new service is currently only available in Sudbury and Timmins, the company plans to eventually offer it in other areas of Northern Ontario, said Jack Nolan, Eastlink's regional manager for Northern Ontario and Quebec.

Eastlink offers traditional security services, where clients and emergency services will be notified if there's a break-in at their premises, or if the fire alarm is tripped.

It also provides “full home automation,” which can involve remotely controlling a home's temperature settings, lights or appliances.

It could also involve using cameras, enabling a customer to view what's happening in their home when they're not there.

For example, Nolan said the service could be useful for families with older kids who come home to an empty house after school. The monitoring system would send an email or a live video image to the parent when the child arrives home.

Nolan said the new service is “a natural extension of what we do,” as the company already helps customers to digitize their homes.

“Yes, there's other competing firms, but I think we're in a really strong position to provide this service for our customers because we're already a trusted provider in their home,” he said.