Comcast to Buy Icontrol Networks Division

Comcast is in millions of homes already, but it wants a bigger bite. Making a big step in the direction, the company has announced that it will acquire part of Icontrol Networks Inc., an Austin, Texas-based company that creates technology and platforms for connected home security and the IoT.

The two companies have been partners since Comcast launched Xfinity Home in 2010, and now Comcast will integrate the Icontrol “Converge” software platform, which powers the Xfinity Home touch-screen panel and back-end servers, allowing those devices to communicate and manage home security sensors. It will also run cameras and thermostats in the home.

“Icontrol has been innovating around the Internet of Things since it was founded in 2003, and built edge-based platforms and technologies that support connected home security for not just Xfinity Home, but for a number of leading MSOs,” said Dan Herscovici, SVP and GM, Xfinity Home in Home, Comcast, in a blog post. “We look forward to continuing to serve customers using the Converge software platform and to growing Icontrol’s wholesale business by accelerating the development of new services and features.”

Icontrol employees in Austin will Comcast and form the heart of a new Comcast engineering center of excellence in Austin, designed to take advantage of the energy and talent in that city. That team will work closely with engineers in Philadelphia and Silicon Valley to build connected-home and connected home security products.

The rest of Icontrol’s assets will be purchased by another company.