Liberty Global has confirmed the launch of a new mobile app for its customers in Europe, allowing them to check their mobile usage, monitor devices connected to their home Wi-Fi network and automatically connect to its network of 10 million Wi-Fi hotspots.
The Connect App already launched this summer in Austria and Switzerland and will be available in the rest of its markets early next year. This is part of the company's continued expansion in the mobile market, following acquisitions such as the operator Base in Belgium and merger with Vodafone's local subsidiary in the Netherlands.
The app also aims to address a common complaint among broadband customers of poor coverage throughout the home. Customers can use the app to set up the Wi-Fi network, scan their home for the strongest Wi-Fi signal or 'dead' spots and monitor which devices and users are connected. After a scan, the app indicates the quality of the connection, such as 'good for streaming' or 'sufficient for email'.
Users of the app can also share their Wi-Fi password with guests with just one click via WhatsApp or a dedicated QR code and restrict access to the internet at specific times of the day.
In markets where Liberty Global offers mobile services, users will also be able to monitor their usage on the app. In addition they can connect to the company's 'homespots' throughout Europe, which provide shared public access to home routers of its broadband customers.
The app is designed to work with the operator's new Connect Box router, already present in 5 million homes. The range also includes an Ethernet access point and powerline access points to extend coverage throughout the home. The Connect app does not work with third-party equipment.
