[London, ENGLAND] U.K. webcam portal FlyOnTheWall.com unveiled
Tuesday a new home watch security service named FlyWatch that
lets users access closed circuit television images of their
home via the Internet.
To provide the service, FlyOnTheWall.com has signed a deal with
independent CCTV provider Wright Security plc who already provide
installation and support nationwide for all kinds of video
surveillance systems.
Never one to set easy objectives, Jason Gleave, chief executive
of FlyOnTheWall.com, said FlyWatch took his company a step
closer to achieving its goal of enabling “anyone to see anywhere
at anytime.”
When FlyOnTheWall.com launched earlier this year, Gleave
explained that the site would cover live events, such as
political rallies, charity events and showbiz awards. It
would allow people to “attend” parties to which they were not
invited — and take a peek backstage at their favorite
concerts.
In fact, the whole security angle was seen just as a possible
adjunct to the business in the early days of starting the
company. Now, following the deal with Wright Security, it
begins to take a more prominent position, not least because
it promises to deliver a good revenue stream.
In recent years the cost of supplying closed circuit television
systems has fallen dramatically, a trend that could continue
if security-conscious homeowners in U.K. cities take up the
FlyWatch offer. However, Britain’s burglars have been known
to steal CCTV equipment right off the wall, and given half
a chance will take the computer as well — and the modem.
Any move that provides an alternative to conventional
alarms is welcome, as London and other other U.K. cities have
suffered severe problems with ear-splitting alarms that
go off unexpectedly at all times of the day or night.
FlyOnTheWall.com has formed a marketing alliance with U.K.
Internet service provider supanet which boasts 0.83 million
registered users. Supernet will promote the FlyWatch service
to its customer base.
“Security is a key word with the Internet and this is a great
demonstration of technology being used to provide peace of
mind for our users,” said Alice Morrison, supanet’s managing
editor.
The selling-point is exactly that: “peace of mind.” Users
will be able to sunbathe in the South of France and occasionally
glance at a computer screen to see that their house is
exactly the same as they left it.
But what are they supposed to do when they see two masked men
entering the house and making off with all their possessions?
Late night TV shows are full of “fly on the wall” video
recordings of still-uncaught criminals taking goods from
shops and factories. Homes, it appears, are to be added
to the list — although there is clearly some potential
for live burglary broadcasts if FlyOnTheWall.com signs
with Carlton Television or the BBC.
