SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 14, 2011) - [ Actiontec Electronics ] announced that its SG200 Service Gateway is a central component of Verizon's (NYSE: [ VZ ]) (NASDAQ: [ VZ ]) Home Monitoring and Control service. Officially launched this week, Verizon's new [ smart home ] service lets customers remotely check on their homes, control locks and appliances, view home-energy use and more -- all via a smartphone, PC, or FiOS TV.

Actiontec has been collaborating with Verizon to build a hardware platform that can drive its Home Monitoring and Control services. Actiontec's SG200 Service Gateway is provided to Home Monitoring and Control service customers as part of each purchased equipment package. The device integrates 802.11N WiFi access, Z-Wave home control support, dual USB 2.0 ports, along with a high performance processor and abundant memory.

"With partners like Actiontec, we're breaking down barriers between 'home' and 'away' to support a borderless lifestyle," said Eric Bruno, Verizon's vice president of product management. "In addition, we're giving our customers the tools to live greener lives and provide valuable information essential to making decisions about their home-energy usage."

Verizon's service begins at $9.99/month and lets customers remotely turn on and off lights, as well as remotely check in on their home through networked cameras. From anywhere, users can turn off their lights at night, check who's at the front door, or make sure their child arrives home safe and sound.

Verizon customers can also order an [ energy control ] package to remotely control thermostats and other appliances, as well as measure their home's electricity use in near real-time. The service gives consumers the opportunity to make smarter energy consumption choices to lower their energy bills and environmental impact.

"Consumers have shown a strong interest in taking advantage of the many opportunities in the Smart Home," said Brian Henrichs, chief business development officer at Actiontec Electronics. "By rolling out their Home Monitoring and Control services, Verizon is making the convenience and cost savings of the connected home available to millions of households."

For more information on Verizon's Home Monitoring and Control service, visit: [ http://shop.verizon.com/monitoringcontrol ]

For more information on Actiontec's SG200 Gateway, visit: [ http://www.actiontec.com/products/product.php?pid=246 ]

About Actiontec Electronics
Actiontec Electronics develops broadband-powered solutions that connect people to the Internet, applications, and content they care about. Our products -- including gigabit Ethernet fiber routers, high speed VDSL gateways, DSL modems, and home networking solutions -- are deployed by some of the largest telecom carriers in North America. We listen to our customers, delivering future-proof solutions that help them stay competitive today and tomorrow, with faster access rates, advanced performance, and exciting applications. Our innovation has been recognized throughout the industry, with numerous awards. As a minority owned company, we're committed to the world we live in by promoting diversity among our employees and partners, and actively pushing a variety of green programs designed to reduce the carbon footprint of our company, and customers. Founded in 1993, Actiontec is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, and maintains branch offices in Colorado Springs, CO; Shanghai, China; and Taipei, Taiwan.

For more information, call 408-752-7700 or visit [ http://www.actiontec.com ].