Smart Doors: How You Can Control Access to Your House on Mobile

Safaricom is using a number of high-tech domestic solutions, including remotely managing access to houses, to market its Home Internet. With smart doors, customers can use a smart switch powered by Wi-Fi connection to open and close doors when they are not at home.

Ms Fawzia Ali Kimanthi, the Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom, demonstrated how the smart door switch works during an event where Safaricom unveiled an enhanced package for its Home Internet users.

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The smart door switch relies on stable internet connection to function. A user can open or close doors while away by the touch of a button on a mobile phone. This came on a day that Safaricom unveiled revamped Family Share plans that combine home fibre with mobile voice, data and SMS in one package, enabling customers to enjoy seamless connectivity at home and on the go.

“We began our Home Internet journey in response to demand from our customers for fast and reliable connectivity at home. With increasingly digital lifestyles, our latest offerings seek to leverage our network coverage to cater to our customers’ evolving needs both in and out of the home,” said Mr Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC.

A smart door lock is an electronic and mechanical locking device that opens wirelessly with an authorized user’s authentication. Smart door lock has electronic components allowing it to connect to your home internet either via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Z-Wave. Like all locks, smart door locks operate with the use of a lock and a key. But in this case, the key is digital rather than physical.

With a smart door lock or switch you can ditch your keys and enjoy the safety and convenience of managing your lock wherever you are. To lock and unlock doors with the touch of a finger or the order of a simple voice command, all you need is a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled smart door switch. You can, for instance, unlock a door from your office with a smart lock and let a guest in without leaving your desk.

You can send a virtual key to whoever you choose with several different smart lock systems controlled by a smartphone app or website. Guests and staff can gain access with the use of virtual keys by simply receiving a text message or email with a unique access code.

Many operators of Airbnb in Nairobi and other cities are using this technology to manage their clients access to accommodation and lodging facilities.

Along with controlling who can enter a room, many modern electronic locks also keep a track of who has entered. To record who has come and gone through your door, some smart locks have a camera or can use fingerprint.

At the same time, Safaricom unveiled other tech services including SecureNet, a comprehensive online security service that protects users from online threats. It includes a suite of powerful features such as anti-phishing, anti-virus, parental control, and quiet time settings.

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