SureWest CEO Comments on FCC Decision to Bar Exclusive Cable TV Pacts

SureWest CEO Comments on FCC Decision to Bar Exclusive Cable TV Pacts

ROSEVILLE, Calif., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Leading independent telecommunications holding company SureWest Communications (NASDAQ:SURW) released the following statement which can be attributed to its President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Oldham:

   (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050908/SFSUREWESTLOGO)        "We are extremely pleased that today the Federal Communications   Commission (FCC) voted to liberate one of the last consumer groups   victimized by lack of choice among cable television providers -- the large   segment of Americans who live in rental apartments, other multi-dwelling   units (MDUs) and many developments. The FCC's ruling declares contracts   that provide individual cable companies exclusive rights to MDUs   unenforceable, thereby allowing these consumers to take full advantage of   the same video programming choices as owners of most single family   dwellings.       "SureWest initiated this public interest issue with the FCC almost two   years ago, and with the help of other communications companies, has worked   hard to see it reach today's end result. Previously, nearly 50 percent of   MDU consumers in the areas passed by SureWest did not have the ability to   choose their service provider due to an exclusive contract. The FCC has   made it clear that will not be the case any longer.       "Some interest groups have claimed that consumers will not see any   benefit from this action. We disagree. This change will work powerfully   and inexorably over time to the advantage of every MDU resident.       "On behalf of SureWest, I commend Chairman Kevin Martin and the FCC   for its initiative. We look forward to the opportunity to show more   Sacramento area renters what great products and services SureWest already   makes available to others in the region."    About SureWest  

Serving the Northern California region for more than 90 years, SureWest Communications (http://www.surewest.com/) is one of the nation's leading integrated communications providers, and is the bandwidth leader in the markets it serves. SureWest's bundled offerings include an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet, local and long distance telephone, and wireless PCS. SureWest's fiber-to-the-premise IP-based network features high-definition video and symmetrical Internet speeds of up to 50 Mbps.

   Contact: Ron Rogers            Public Relations Manager            916-746-3123            r.rogers@surewest.com  

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Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050908/SFSUREWESTLOGO
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Source: SureWest Communications

CONTACT: Ron Rogers, Public Relations Manager of SureWest
Communications, +1-916-746-3123, r.rogers@surewest.com

Web site: http://www.surewest.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment