Comcast’s new WiFi Pro service, the company announced today, attempts to build advanced network monitoring and management features into a product designed for small business and branch office use.
WiFi Pro, Comcast said, offers numerous management consoles, accessible via the web or through smartphone apps, that provide activity reporting, QoS, and configuration options. It also builds in the ability to run one network for staff and another for guests or patrons, provides service and security alerts on the go, and even includes the option to create and implement customized splash screens and landing pages, among other things.
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“The additional marketing features allow SMBs and enterprise branches to create a more personalized experience through Wi-Fi to help drive customer retention and revenue growth,” said Comcast Business vice president of product management John Guillaume in a statement.
Users can also budget bandwidth from the console, ensuring that, for example, streaming video on the customer-facing network doesn’t interfere with employee use, and scheduling features can turn networks off outside of business hours.
The new features contained in WiFi Pro are available now for $20 a month, over and above the usual monthly Comcast Business service rate. (The cheapest plan for which WiFi Pro is available costs $90 per month.) Comcast will install up to two access points running 802.11ac and take care of hardware maintenance and management, according to the announcement.