SureWest Communications has launched IP-based digital video service in Roseville, Calif., a move that firmly establishes the telco as a leading champion of nascent IPTV technology.
The service features more than 260 channels, video-on-demand and a variety of pay-per-view offerings. It also gives SureWest the so-called “triple-play” service bundle of video, voice and data.
The company’s IP video network uses ADSL2, a higher quality (and faster) platform than traditional ADSL.
SureWest, which also operates an overlay HFC network in the area acquired in mid-2002 via its purchase of Winfirst, has taken a multi-vendor strategy with its IPTV grid.
SureWest has populated its IPTV network with video encoders from Harmonic Inc., middleware from Minerva Networks, a conditional access system from Irdeto Access, video servers from Kasenna Inc., video rate management/IP encapsulation gear from BigBand Networks, core network and fiber subscriber access equipment from Cisco Systems, fiber-based residential gateways from Allied Telesyn, DSLAM copper subscriber access from Occam Networks, DSL modems from Comtrends, and IP set-top boxes from Amino Communications.
In related news, SureWest said it received approval from the nearby city of Lincoln to build an all-fiber digital network. The company said it expects to launch service in “some” neighborhoods there this summer.