SURW Surewest Communications (MM)

Amino, the world leading IPTV platform supplier, today announced that SureWest Communications (NASDAQ: SURW), a leading independent telecommunications holding company headquartered in Northern California, is deploying the AmiNET130 HD IPTV Set-Top Box (STB) as it continues to focus on delivering increasingly advanced digital IP television services to its customers. Executives from Amino will be providing demonstrations of the AmiNET130 at the NXTComm event this week at McCormick Place in Chicago, at Booth # 2023. The AmiNET130 is a MPEG-2/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Codec (AVC), high definition (HD), Internet Protocol (IP) STB. The support of low-bit rate AVC provides operators with the opportunity to grow revenue-generating services while maximizing the efficient use of network bandwidth, thus allowing operators to reach a greater number of customers. The AmiNET130 also supports High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), providing flexible options to cover a wide range of video and audio outputs together with an optical output for multichannel surround sound. �This is an important launch for SureWest. We expect it to help us build on our goal of deploying the best technology available to us to bring together the entertainment, information and communication services that our customers demand. We have had success working with Amino on the deployment of their HD IPTV Set-Top Boxes to date, and are very excited about this next generation HDTV box,� said Bill DeMuth, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at SureWest Communications. �In addition to offering the customer a more responsive navigational experience, the AmiNET130 supports the latest in end-to-end digital HDTV and provides the means for future MPEG-4/H.264 video deployment. This should improve overall video performance for the customer, and will allow us to continue to satisfy their continually-evolving service expectations. This product can also help us reach and better serve the large number of new customers who are now seeking our services, both inside and outside our ILEC footprint.� �Amino is committed to developing cost-effective solutions for service providers seeking the latest in IPTV HD technology,� said Rick Sailor, Vice President Sales - Americas for Amino. �Utilising an Amino AmiNET120 STB, SureWest was the first broad-based voice and video provider to offer HD IPTV services in the US. As customer demand for SureWest�s high-quality HD entertainment content has increased, we have worked closely to support their transition to the AmiNET130.� �We are very pleased to have enabled a long-term customer such as SureWest to achieve this milestone. This reflects Amino�s dedication to shape the IPTV industry and validates our significant investment to develop innovative technology,� said Bob Giddy, CEO at Amino. In April 2007, ABI Research declared Amino the world�s leading seller of IPTV STBs for the second consecutive year. This accolade recognises Amino�s expanding footprint in emerging markets, as well as within the growing US market. 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. About Amino Communications Amino Communications (www.aminocom.com) supplies the AmiNET� series of set-top boxes (STBs), renowned for their low-cost and reliability. The AmiNET range materially reduces service operators� capital expenditure, whilst offering the full range of specification required; MPEG2 and MPEG4 encoding standards, standard and high definition TV, personal video recording and home networking. The high performance coupled with the innovative design of Amino�s set-top boxes, has brought the series industry accolades and the company a leading position within the IPTV market. The AmiNET series of IPTV STBs has been used in commercial deployments and trials in over 80 countries worldwide. Amino�s principal customers are telecommunications, broadcast and hospitality service operators. Generally, AmiNET products are supplied with the IntAct� IPTV software stack pre-loaded. Amino Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amino Technologies plc. listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM, symbol AMO. Amino�s HQ is based near Cambridge, UK, with offices worldwide.