Bell Aliant Brings the Digital Home to Life with New NextGen Home Security Service

Using a personal device, customers can remotely control their home security system, lights, thermostat, and more

HALIFAX, Jan. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Bell Aliant  Inc. (TSX: BA) is bringing the 'smart home' to life with its new NextGen Home Security™ service that lets customers monitor, protect and control their home using a smartphone, tablet or PC at a competitive price.

From the company that brought you FibreOP™, NextGen Home Security is a digital Internet-based service that delivers everything a customer expects in home security with next generation automation capabilities. NextGen Home Security will be affordable and Bell Aliant customers can bundle services all on one bill for added convenience and savings.

"This is an incredibly cool product that is the next step in making the digital home a reality," said Karen Sheriff, president and CEO of Bell Aliant. "Imagine a security system that sends you a text when someone enters your home and then allows you to view a video of the person walking through the door. With this product, we are igniting the power of our entire broadband network, including FibreOP - and helping 'turn on' not just your TV and Internet, but lots of other things around your home."

Built on Atlantic Canada's most advanced broadband network, NextGen Home Security will leverage a team of trusted and reliable technicians. Bell Aliant NextGen Certified Installers are specially trained to set-up and customize the system for every customer. NextGen Home Security will be available in the spring to both FibreOP and high-speed customers in major city centres in Atlantic Canada.

"Bell Aliant understands consumers' digital lifestyle and this is a security solution that offers peace of mind and the convenience of being able to monitor and manage your home at any time using a mobile device, tablet or PC," said Dan McKeen, senior vice-president, customer solutions. "Home security and monitoring is a natural growth opportunity for Bell Aliant. It is another example of our commitment to innovating and offering products and services that will meet the needs of our customers both today and in the future."

NextGen Home Security will provide the following services:

• NextGen Security: Experience the security of ULC certified 24/7 professional monitoring of life-safety events including fire, burglary, and environmental incidents like floods and carbon monoxide threats. Trained professionals will alert authorities and customers in the event of an emergency. If an intruder breaks into your home while you are on vacation, an ear piercing siren will sound, lights will turn on, alerts will be sent to your smartphone, and our Central Monitoring Station will alert the authorities, who will dispatch police.
  
  
• NextGen Automation: Customers have the ability to remotely control and monitordoor locks, thermostats, lighting and appliances. For example, when the system is armed to Away, the thermostat will automatically adjust lower and lights in the home will turn off.
  
  
• NextGen Video Monitoring: By usingsecure video cameras, customers can monitor a loved one or pet, or receive texts and video clips when someone comes to the front door from their smartphone, tablet or PC with the free NextGen Home Security app.

Bell Aliant will be able to deliver the best home security and monitoring service at a competitive rate by using our skilled and trusted technicians, existing enterprise systems, processes, and convenient combined billing and customer service. NextGen Home Security is also powered by the award-winning iControl OpenHome™ software platform from iControl Networks, a leader in the broadband home management industry.

Customers will be able to purchase NextGen Home Security in the spring and can pre-register today at www.bellaliant.net/homesecurity, or by calling (888) 214-7896.

About Bell Aliant Bell Aliant (TSX: BA) is one of North America's largest regional communications providers and the first company in Canada to cover an entire city with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with its FibreOP™ services. Through its operating entities, it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the highest quality customer service, choice and convenience.

Video with caption: "Video: Bell Aliant brings the digital home to life with new NextGen Home Security service.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20130124_C8277_VIDEO_EN_22935.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20130124_C8277_PHOTO_EN_22935.jpg&clientName=BELL%20ALIANT%20INC%2E&caption=Video%3A%20Bell%20Aliant%20brings%20the%20digital%20home%20to%20life%20with%20new%20NextGen%20Home%20Security%20service%2E&title=BELL%20ALIANT%20INC%2E%20%2D%20Bell%20Aliant%20Brings%20the%20Digital%20Home%20to%20Life%20with%20New%20NextGen%20Home%20Security%20Service&headline=Bell%20Aliant%20Brings%20the%20Digital%20Home%20to%20Life%20with%20New%20NextGen%20Home%20Security%20Service

Video with caption: "B-Roll: Bell Aliant is bringing the 'smart home' to life with its new NextGen Home Security service.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20130124_C8277_VIDEO_EN_22934.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20130124_C8277_PHOTO_EN_22934.jpg&clientName=BELL%20ALIANT%20INC%2E&caption=B%2DRoll%3A%20Bell%20Aliant%20is%20bringing%20the%20%27smart%20home%27%20to%20life%20with%20its%20new%20NextGen%20Home%20Security%20service%2E&title=BELL%20ALIANT%20INC%2E%20%2D%20Bell%20Aliant%20Brings%20the%20Digital%20Home%20to%20Life%20with%20New%20NextGen%20Home%20Security%20Service&headline=Bell%20Aliant%20Brings%20the%20Digital%20Home%20to%20Life%20with%20New%20NextGen%20Home%20Security%20Service

Image with caption: "The Bell Aliant NextGen Home Security service lets customers monitor, protect and control their home using a smartphone, tablet or PC at a competitive price. (CNW Group/BELL ALIANT INC.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130124_C8277_PHOTO_EN_22926.jpg

Image with caption: "Bell Aliant NextGen Home Security allows you to view secure video, receive texts and video clips when someone comes to the front door from a smartphone, tablet or PC anywhere in the world. (CNW Group/BELL ALIANT INC.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130124_C8277_PHOTO_EN_22930.jpg

Image with caption: "Bell Aliant NextGen Home Security allows customers to remotely control and monitor door locks, thermostats, lighting and appliances. (CNW Group/BELL ALIANT INC.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130124_C8277_PHOTO_EN_22928.jpg

Image with caption: "Karen Sheriff, president and CEO, Bell Aliant introduces new NextGen Home Security service that lets customers monitor, protect and control their home using a smartphone, tablet or PC. (CNW Group/BELL ALIANT INC.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130124_C8277_PHOTO_EN_22932.jpg

SOURCE: BELL ALIANT INC.

Katherine VanBuskirk
(855) 487-3040
katherine.vanbusirk@bellaliant.ca