LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Cirrent announced that Comcast plans to include support for ZipKey in its recently announced, whole-home networking solution.

Comcast's new, cloud-based platform delivers fast and reliable connectivity in the home and provides an intuitive user experience that allows people to easily add and manage devices on their network. Through its partnership with Cirrent, Xfinity Internet customers will soon be able to connect ZipKey-enabled consumer electronics products automatically and securely to their broadband networks without entering network names or passwords, dramatically simplifying setup and improving the security of connected products and the Internet of Things.

Comcast expects the new experience to be automatically enabled in the first half of 2017 for the approximately 10 million existing Xfinity Internet customers who have a compatible Xfinity Wireless Gateway.

"We want people to be able to bring home a new device, connect it to their network quickly and easily, and get on with the fun of actually using it," said Chris Satchell, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Comcast Cable.  "This partnership with Cirrent will give Xfinity customers a fast, secure and seamless onboarding experience for any third party device that enables ZipKey, eliminating a big pain point for users and hopefully helping to drive broader adoption of the Internet of Things."

Most "smart" or connected products are difficult to set up: a recent study showed that one in five consumers can't successfully complete the connection process (Accenture). News of hacks into TVs, tea kettles and refrigerators have also raised concerns about the security of personal data in connected homes. These challenges can often result in expensive support calls and high rates of product returns.

Cirrent solves both security and connection problems with its new, open ZipKey technology, which gives any device an automatic and secure Wi-Fi connection instantly, right out of the box. With ZipKey, manufacturers of connected products can ZipKey-enable their products using a set of easy-to-implement software components available from Cirrent.

"Today's connected products are often difficult to set-up," said Rob Conant, CEO of Cirrent. "With ZipKey, we are dramatically simplifying the process of getting products connected to the Internet, and making these products usable by mainstream consumers. We are delighted to be working with Comcast to bring the benefits of ZipKey to Xfinity Internet subscribers across the country."

In addition to this announcement, Cirrent also today announced the introduction of ZipKey, and the news that five consumer electronics manufacturers will roll out ZipKey-enabled products.

With today's partnership announcement with Comcast, Cirrent's total ZipKey coverage has the potential to reach more than 67 million homes in the US and Western Europe.

About Comcast Cable

Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. Comcast has invested in technology to build an advanced network that delivers among the fastest broadband speeds, and brings customers personalized video, communications and home management offerings. Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About Cirrent

Cirrent, a provider of automatic, secure Wi-Fi connections for consumer electronics, makes it easy for manufacturers to transform the out-of-box experience through ZipKey and the support of the broader Cirrent ecosystem. Through partnerships with large Internet service providers such as Comcast Cable, Cirrent has established a network of ZipKey hotspots that now cover more than 67 million homes. For more information, or to experience a demo, please visit www.cirrent.com.

SOURCE Cirrent