SureWest Continues to Break New Ground With Premiere of First Interactive Video Content Network From TellyTopia

SureWest Continues to Break New Ground With Premiere of First Interactive Video Content Network From TellyTopia

Customers provide the programming on i2TV, a cutting-edge TV channel available only to SureWest customers

ROSEVILLE, Calif., March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Television is now truly interactive with leading independent communications holding company SureWest Communications (NASDAQ:SURW) . Today, the company announced the launch of i2TV (Internet-to-TV), an interactive video content network created by TellyTopia available only on the SureWest digital TV network in Sacramento.

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Utilizing i2TV's online portal, TellyTopia provides the technology whereby anyone, including non-SureWest customers, can upload high-resolution video content through the i2TV Web site at www.i2tv.tv/surewest and watch it on SureWest's channel 702. Similar to Web-based video content sites, videos are uploaded for viewing by a mass audience, but in this case content can be created online and viewed on TV. SureWest is the world's first cable provider to launch this unique interactive channel offered by TellyTopia to its subscribers.

"Once again, SureWest has delivered a cutting-edge and entertaining service to enhance the customer experience," said Peter Drozdoff, SureWest's vice president of marketing. "This new channel allows people to become a part of their TV by creating their own content. The possibilities are limitless. From popular Internet videos to local sports and community events, our customers can watch the best of what the Sacramento market has to offer, exclusively with SureWest."

To enhance the customer experience, SureWest will soon announce a new local sports program available on i2TV. The show will be the only program to provide highlights showcasing youth and high school sports around the Sacramento region.

Videos are made available on i2TV within 24 hours of uploading the file online. Video file size can be up to 100 megabytes in size -- more than double the maximum allowed size of most popular online sites, providing excellent picture quality and a more pleasing viewing experience. Customers that do not submit files that meet the standards of i2TV, such as video resolution and content appropriateness, will be provided details as to why the submission was not approved so they can revise and re-submit.

Content on i2TV is categorized into 30-minute segments with local content available for five days on the channel at rotating times. In addition to channel 702, SureWest will be adding i2TV's local content along with an upload tool to its customer home page My SureWest at surewest.net. The content will also be added to SureWest's On Demand video library. The company plans to launch i2TV in its Kansas City market as well.

"We are thrilled to introduce a cutting-edge new product like i2TV on the SureWest network," said Kshitij Kumar, CEO of TellyTopia. "SureWest has consistently displayed its commitment to innovating and enhancing the customer experience. As an industry leader, SureWest has shown that advanced technology ideas need to be turned into action quickly in order to differentiate and compete effectively. The relationship between i2TV and SureWest perpetuates the drive to turn advanced technology into easy-to-use interactivity and products that customers can enjoy in their everyday lives."

About SureWest

SureWest Communications (www.surewest.com) is one of the nation's leading integrated communications providers and is the bandwidth leader in the markets it serves. Headquartered in Northern California for more than 90 years, the company expanded into the Kansas City region in February 2008 with the acquisition of Everest Broadband, Inc. and offers bundled residential and commercial services that include IP-based digital and high-definition television, high-speed Internet, Voice over IP, and local and long distance telephone. The company was the nation's first to launch HDTV over an IP network and also delivers the fastest symmetrical Internet speeds in the nation at up to 50 Mbps on its fiber-to-the-home network. In its Kansas City market (www.surewestkc.com), 75 percent of the company's customers subscribe to at least three services.

About TellyTopia

TellyTopia converges the worlds of Internet and television, and is the leader in cost-effective Internet style advertising on TV. TellyTopia's i2TV (Internet-to-TV) service brings the best of user generated video content to local television. i2TV presentations feature popular film shorts, animation, video blogs and webisode-style series. Local videos from community and sporting events, or other independent productions are easily uploaded for viewing on TV and for sharing with friends, family and IPTV subscribers in your area. Learn more at www.i2tv.tv/surewest, and become a TV star today.

   Corporate Communications Contacts:   Ron Rogers * 916-746-3123 * r.rogers@surewest.com   Anne Chacon * 916-786-1235 * a.chacon@surewest.com  

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Source: SureWest Communications

CONTACT: Ron Rogers, +1-916-746-3123, r.rogers@surewest.com, or Anne
Chacon, +1-916-786-1235, a.chacon@surewest.com, both of SureWest
Communications

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

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Profile: International Entertainment