In a strategic move to deepen its presence in the connected home, AT&T has unveiled a new smart home security service. This initiative, called AT&T Connected Life, represents a significant collaboration, bringing together hardware from Google's Nest lineup, professional monitoring from security specialist Abode, and the reliability of AT&T's own wireless network. The service aims to offer a cohesive, resilient security solution that functions even during home internet or power outages, marking a clear push by the telecom giant to become a central hub for modern home safety and automation.
AT&T Connected Life Integrates Major Smart Home Brands
AT&T's new Connected Life service is not built on proprietary hardware but is instead an integrated ecosystem. The company is leveraging the Google Home platform, allowing users to incorporate popular Nest cameras and doorbells. For the core security system, AT&T has partnered with Abode, utilizing its Security Hub as the central brain of the operation. This approach enables a mix of Abode's sensors for doors, windows, and motion with Google's AI-powered camera devices, all managed through a unified AT&T-branded application. This bundling strategy simplifies the consumer experience, offering a pre-configured smart security package from trusted brands.
Service Plans and Hardware Kits Offer Flexible Options
The service is available through two primary hardware bundles. The Starter Kit, priced at USD 399, includes a Google Nest Doorbell, an Abode Security Hub, two door/window sensors, and one motion sensor. For more comprehensive coverage, the Advanced Kit costs USD 699 and adds two additional sensors, a second motion sensor, a Nest Cam (indoor/outdoor battery model), a key fob, and a wall-mounted keypad. Both kits are available with financing through Affirm, allowing payments to be spread over 36 months. Crucially, the Abode hub features both battery and cellular backup via AT&T's network, ensuring the system remains online during local outages.
AT&T Connected Life Hardware Kits
| Kit Name | Price | Key Components |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Kit | USD 399 | Google Nest Doorbell, Abode Security Hub, 2x Door/Window Sensors, 1x Motion Sensor |
| Advanced Kit | USD 699 | Everything in Starter Kit, plus: 2x Additional Sensors, 1x Extra Motion Sensor, Nest Cam (Indoor/Outdoor Battery), Key Fob, Wall Keypad |
| Financing via Affirm is available for both kits over 36 months. |
Subscription Tiers Cater to DIY and Professionally Monitored Users
AT&T Connected Life operates on a month-to-month subscription model with no long-term contract, and customers have a 30-day return window for hardware. Two service plans are available, both requiring an existing AT&T wireless or home internet subscription. The Essential plan, at USD 10.99 per month, offers self-monitoring with 30-day video history, intelligent alerts from Google, cellular backup, and real-time camera access. The Professional plan, at USD 21.99 per month, adds Abode's 24/7 professional monitoring with dispatch services for police, fire, and medical emergencies. Professional installation is available for an additional fee, though DIY setup is emphasized.
AT&T Connected Life Monthly Service Plans
| Plan Name | Monthly Price | Key Features | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Plan | USD 10.99 | Self-monitoring, 30-day video history, Google intelligent alerts, AT&T cellular backup, real-time app access | AT&T wireless or home internet service |
| Professional Plan | USD 21.99 | All Essential features, plus 24/7 professional monitoring by Abode with police/fire/medical dispatch | AT&T wireless or home internet service |
| Both plans are month-to-month with no long-term contract and a 30-day hardware return policy. |
Positioning the Network as the Smart Home Backbone
The launch of Connected Life is part of a broader strategic shift for AT&T and other telecom carriers. With mobile service becoming increasingly commoditized and carrier switching growing easier, companies are seeking to create "stickier" ecosystems that encompass more aspects of a customer's digital life. By positioning its reliable nationwide wireless network as the critical backbone for home security—a service where uptime is paramount—AT&T aims to become an indispensable part of the modern home. This move mirrors strategies seen in the tech industry, where integrated ecosystems foster customer loyalty.
Analysis: A Calculated Move in a Competitive Smart Home Market
AT&T's foray into bundled smart security is a calculated response to evolving market dynamics. The partnership allows AT&T to quickly enter a competitive space without developing its own hardware from scratch, relying on the established reputations of Google and Abode. The key differentiator is the seamless integration of cellular backup, a feature that directly addresses a common pain point in internet-dependent smart home systems. While features like live video streaming may be limited during an outage, the core security alerts remain active. This service represents AT&T's ambition to transition from a connectivity provider to a central curator of the connected life, using security as a foundational and compelling entry point.