Living on the East Coast, we know how unpredictable winter weather can be. That’s why we want to help you stay connected so you are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way, especially in the event severe weather impacts commercial power.
We work to ready our systems and teams ahead of a storm so we can best serve our customers when the weather gets rough. This includes increasing staffing and preparing generators to ensuring our service vehicles are prepared for difficult weather conditions.
Here are a few tips to help you stay connected:
Apps to keep you connected
One of the most effective ways customers can prepare for severe weather is by downloading our free Xfinity apps:
- Xfinity My Account: Manage your account, check for outages, report service interruptions and troubleshoot your equipment from any mobile device. You can also access My Account online from your computer. And, make sure your contact information is current in the app, so we can text and email you weather-related updates.
- Xfinity Connect: Xfinity Voice customers can send and receive texts from your home telephone number, listen to your voicemail, access your Comcast.net email and more.
- Xfinity Stream: To ensure you can still watch your favorite shows and movies in the event of a power outage, download the Xfinity Stream app on your mobile devices so you can stream live TV and select On Demand content using your cellular network. Or better yet, download shows and movies in advance so you can access them even without a WiFi or cellular connection. X1 customers can also stream or download DVR content.
- Xfinity WiFi App: With millions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots in our network, the Xfinity WiFi app makes it easy to locate business and outdoor hotspots wherever you are. Customers can also visit the hotspot finder map online.
Please note: If your power goes out, your local utility provider must restore power before Xfinity technicians can safely start work to restore services. It is possible that power could be restored to your home first, but damage to or loss of power to the Xfinity network serving your neighborhood may continue to affect your services. We are committed to getting you up and running as soon as possible.
Access to WiFi Hotspots
If you’re out and about or stranded because of the storm, there’s likely an Xfinity WiFi hotspot nearby to keep you connected on the go. In fact, we have opened more than 100,000 Xfinity WiFi hotspots throughout the Freedom Region, which includes Greater Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs, New Jersey and northern Delaware, to help residents, businesses and emergency personnel – including non-Xfinity customers – stay connected during the storm’s impact and recovery periods.
To access Xfinity WiFi hotspots, users should select “xfinitywifi” from the list of available networks on their laptops or mobile devices and enter their Comcast username and password. After signing in for the first time, customers will be automatically connected to the network whenever they are in a hotspot location. Non-Xfinity customers can log in by selecting the “Not an Xfinity subscriber” option (non-customers will need to renew their complimentary sessions every two hours). For a list of available hotspots, click here.
Stay up-and-running, Comcast Business customers
Comcast Business customers also have several options to stay connected during the storm. Business customers should use My Account for real-time updates on outages impacting your location and to enroll in outage text message notifications. For more tips and resources, click here.
Device-charging stations
In the event of severe weather, Comcast, NBC10 and Telemundo62 will join forces to activate device-charging stations, offering area residents who are impacted by extended power outages the ability to recharge their devices at Xfinity retail store locations in the region. As power outages occur, stores will become active Plug In, Power Up sites to assist viewers in need. This is a free service; all residents are welcome to Plug In, Power Up at participating locations during regular business hours. For a list of store locations, click here. Note that store hours may be impacted by the storm as well.
Bonus: Xfinity Movie Week!
Hopefully, the storm will only bring you the opportunity to curl up on the couch at home and watch movies. Luckily, Xfinity Movie Week kicks off January 18th and runs through January 24th. During Xfinity Movie Week, customers can enjoy free access to EPIX®’s On Demand library of more than 2,000 feature films including A Quiet Place, Overboard (starting 1/19) and family favorites like Sherlock Gnomes across Xfinity TV platforms including Xfinity Stream and X1. Subscription video on demand services Lifetime Movie Club, HISTORY Vault and Hallmark Movies Now are also available during this free preview. Just say “show me movie week” into your X1 Voice Remote.
For tips on how you can prepare your home and family for inclement weather, please visit Weather Ready Nation. For additional storm information, visit the NBC10 website and follow us on Twitter @ComcastPhillyNJ.
We hope everyone stays warm, safe and connected during winter weather events.
