SureWest Communications Extends Deployment of BigBand BMR to First U.S. Offering of HDTV Over IP Network

SureWest Communications Extends Deployment of BigBand BMR to First U.S. Offering of HDTV Over IP Network

Operator Uses Programmable Switching and Media Processing Platform to Add HDTV to its existing IPTV Digital Video and Music Offerings on FTTP Network

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- TelcoTV -- BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of broadband multimedia infrastructure for video, voice and data, today announced that leading independent telecommunications holding company SureWest Communications (NASDAQ:SURW) expanded its use of the BigBand BMR(R) (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router) to facilitate the first commercial delivery of HDTV over its IP-based FTTP (fiber-to-the-premise) network. SureWest currently utilizes the BigBand BMR to enable over 240 channels of live video and music programs, pay-per-view, and conversion of multimedia content for IP distribution. SureWest leverages functionality that controls channel line-ups, enhances video quality and boosts bandwidth efficiency.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050330/NYW056LOGO )

"One of the key factors in our original decision to standardize on the BigBand BMR was its extensible and scalable architecture," said Bill DeMuth, SureWest's vice president and chief technology officer. "We knew that using the IP FTTP service delivery model provided flexibility and cost-effective bandwidth efficiency to not only deliver HDTV, SDTV, voice and data services, but also to extend interactive television capabilities. The BigBand BMR has been as fundamental to offering new HDTV services as it has been in our earlier digital video launches, and it provides us with a platform upon which to continue launching new feature-rich services."

HDTV over IP has become a reality, moving from labs into a broad production environment as the final stage leading up to SureWest's commercial HDTV deployment. This was achieved in part by extending the functionality of an already implemented BigBand BMR infrastructure. The BigBand BMR receives separate variable bit rate satellite video feeds combined within a multi- program transport stream with control over each one's carriage on the operator's network. Each program is adjusted to a constant bit rate, re- multiplexed and encapsulated within a UDP-IP stream for delivery over an IP network. This functionality is designed to assure efficient, reliable and jitter-free video transport within available bandwidth in compliance with access network and subscriber device tolerances and protocols.

"SureWest has stayed at the forefront with new and pioneering ways to expand and improve services, which is evident with this first launch of HDTV over IP," said John Connelly, BigBand Networks' executive vice president of marketing and business development. "Since BigBand Networks was originally chosen to provide the SureWest digital headend platform, it has been clear that they are interested in providing subscribers with a rich variety of innovative video, voice and high speed data services. This new offering showcases the BigBand BMR platform's ability to cost effectively extend functionality to support SureWest's pioneering delivery of HD traffic over IP networking."

To learn more about BigBand BMR and other BigBand Networks solutions, please visit BigBand Networks at TelcoTV booth #618.

About SureWest

With more than 90 years in Northern California, SureWest and its family of companies together provide a wide variety of highly reliable advanced communications products and services. SureWest provides digital TV, fiber optics, PCS wireless, DSL, high-speed Internet access, data transport, local and long distance telephone service, and directories with the highest standards of customer care. For more information, visit the SureWest web site at www.surewest.com.

About BigBand Networks

BigBand Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of broadband multimedia infrastructure for video, voice and data. Utilizing unique combinations of open technologies, BigBand solutions process, optimize, and deliver services such as high-speed data, VoIP, digital broadcast television, HDTV, transport of high quality video, local advertising, VOD, interactive TV and IPTV through any network. This means service providers can now cost-effectively expand revenue-generating offerings of rich content and advanced interactive services. Customers include seven of the ten largest North American cable operators, US telecommunications companies, as well as leading service providers in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Founded in 1999, BigBand Networks is based in Redwood City, CA with offices worldwide. For more information, please call 650-995-5000, email info@bigbandnet.com or visit www.bigbandnet.com.

BMR and other BigBand Networks brand and product names are service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of BigBand Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050330/NYW056LOGO
Source: BigBand Networks, Inc.

CONTACT: Press: Marcos Sanchez of BigBand Networks, +1-650-995-5000,
marcos.sanchez@bigbandnet.com; or Brian Baumley of Euro RSCG Magnet, +1-212-
367-6828, brian.baumley@eurorscg.com

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