SureWest
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ABOUT SUREWEST
• Serving the Northern California region for more than 90 years, SureWest Communications (www.surewest.com) is one of the nation's leading integrated communications providers. SureWest's bundled offerings include an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet, local and long distance telephone, and PCS wireless services. SureWest's fiber-to-the-premise IP-based network features high definition video and symmetrical Internet speeds of up to 50 Mbps.
• In 2005, SureWest became the first service provider in the nation to offer HDTV over an IP-based network.
• In 2006, SureWest launched the fastest residential Internet service in the United States at up to 50 Mbps of symmetrical speed.
• SureWest delivers 100 megs bi-directional to a consumers home through its fiber network, allowing us to provide high-end products such as 50 Mbps of Internet speed and superior HDTV.
• Similar to its 20 and 10 Mbps offerings, SureWest’s industry-leading 50-Meg product is symmetrical, meaning that consumers receive up to 50 Mbps both uploading and downloading.
• SureWest is at the forefront of broadband technology with its IP network. According to USA Today, from December 5, 2006, “Internet Protocol TV or IPTV … is at an emerging stage around the world, but it's fast becoming a fact of life.”
• The number of people watching IPTV will double to 13.3 million in 2007 and surge to 48.8 million by 2010, according to industry analyst Gartner.
• Internet Protocol Television is TV sent via broadband Internet rather than satellite, cable and terrestrial networks. Programs are uploaded to the Internet, then live digital TV and (stored) Video on Demand are sent to subscribers.
• “The IPTV version of Discovery HD Theater delivered by Sacramento-area telephone company SureWest actually looked better than the satellite one. The picture was crisper, brighter and clearer around the edges.” Daisy Whitney – Television Week Magazine
• Roger Cheng of The Wall Street Journal calls SureWest “The benchmark for IPTV deployment.”
• “SureWest is by far the leader in deploying IPTV in the U.S.” Jeff Heynen, Infonetics Research analyst.
• “The important thing to know about SureWest is that it is on the cutting edge of telecom,” says Christopher C. King, vice president of equity research at investment advisory service Legg Mason. “That is where the Bells are ultimately going to go, though it will cost them more on a per-home basis than SureWest. I think SureWest is an important company to watch for the future of telecom.”
• Christopher King: “Other people are working at [rolling out fiber to the home], but no one has done it on as widespread a basis as SureWest. SureWest boasts that they have the fastest network in the world."
• Timeline:
o 1914: With 160 subscribers, William Doyle founds Roseville Telephone Company as it is incorporated by the state Public Utilities Commission.
o 1953: First stock is issued at $10 per share -- 11 stockholders.
o 1996: The Telecom Act of 1996 is passed, allowing the company to begin a new era of growth and diversification.
o 1996: Roseville Directory Company and Roseville Long Distance are launched.
o 1999: Launch of Wireless, Broadband and Internet businesses.
o 2001: Company changes its name to SureWest Communications and trades on the NASDAQ.
o 2002: SureWest acquires the assets of WINfirst, enabling the marketing of digital TV, high-speed Internet and telephone.
o 2003: SureWest fiber-to-the-home network reaches the most homes in the nation.
o 2004: SureWest launches an all Internet Protocol (IP) network over fiber and copper.
o 2005: SureWest became the first service provider in the nation to offer HDTV over an IP-based network.
o 2006: SureWest launches the fastest residential Internet service in the United States at up to 50 Mbps of symmetrical speed.
o 2007: SureWest sells its directory business to GateHouse.
SureWest is a Roseville, CA based telecommunications company, servicing the Greater Sacramento Valley market. Surewest was founded in 1914 by William Doyle as the Roseville Telephone Company - Surewest became the official name in 2003. As of late 2000, Surewest's territory had grown to serve (ILEC) Roseville, CA, Citrus Heights, CA, Granite Bay, CA, Rocklin, CA, and Antelope, CA. With the purchase of the bankrupt WINfirst in 2002, service was extended and continues to grow in (CLEC) Sacramento, CA, Carmichael, CA, Elk Grove, CA, and Lincoln, CA. Services provided are telephone, DSL (3 Mbit/s/768 kbit/s, 1 Mbit/s/128 kbit/s), FTTH for CLEC areas up to 20 Mbit/s data both ways, IPTV for copper customers, IPTV in HD for FTTH customers, and unlimited CDMA cell phone service in the greater Sacramento region.
