SureWest launches all-fiber service in Lincoln, California

Fiber Optics Weekly Update, Oct 29, 2004

Integrated communications provider SureWest Communications announced that, in addition to the Greater Sacramento and Elk Grove areas, the company's all-fiber InfinitAccess service--featuring digital television, high-speed Internet, plus local and long-distance telephone service--is available beginning October 29 for customers in portions of the city of Lincoln, California.

"Lincoln is one of Northern California's fastest growing communities, and SureWest's InfinitAccess brings the rapidly expanding city what we consider to be the best broadband bundle on the market today from a company that has served Northern California for 90 years," said Fred Arcuri, senior vice president and COO, SureWest Broadband. "We are the only company in Lincoln that can offer customers multiple fiber-optic broadband services on one bill from one provider."

"Choice and competition in a variety of services available to Lincoln citizens and business is critical to the growth of our community," said Spencer Short, Lincoln Mayor. "SureWest's fiber-optic network of services brings the latest technological advances to our city in a dependable and affordable communications option for Lincoln residents."

The SureWest service offering in Lincoln features:

- Over 260 channels of digital programming, including local Sacramento channels, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, premium movie channels, sports channels, commercial-free music channels, plus a wide assortment of specialty programming channels and public access channels;

- 10 megabits of symmetrical high-speed Internet access that makes SureWest among the fastest ISPs (Internet Service Providers) in the U.S.;

- A local and long-distance telephone package.

"Whether you share pictures with family and friends, play games online, or do your shopping and travel-planning over the Internet, SureWest's high-speed Internet service is a whole different level," said Tom Villa, General Manager of SureWest Broadband. "You haven't experienced speed until you've had symmetrical service--which means uploading is as fast as downloading. SureWest is the only provider here with a super-fast Internet and data service for residential users."

Villa added that the service will be available to approximately 3,000 Lincoln residences by the end of the year. "SureWest's service will eventually become available to the entire population of Lincoln," said Villa.

SureWest's FTTP (fiber-to-the-premise) Lincoln and Sacramento-region build-out is the largest active fiber-optic build in the United States. With nearly 15,000 subscribers, SureWest has over 20 percent of the active fiber infrastructure, according to Oklahoma analyst group Render Vanderslice & Associates.

To learn more, go to www.surewest.com