SureWest announced the official launch of its Advanced Digital TV (ADTV) product in its Sacramento market. ADTV represents an IPTV migration of sorts for SureWest – they’ve been in the IPTV business for many years with a Minerva middleware powered service. ADTV is a new Microsoft Mediaroom powered IPTV service, for which SureWest is pursuing a ‘cap and grow’ approach.
All new IPTV customers will receive the ADTV product. “We are also converting current [Minerva] customers if they call in and request a switch to ADTV,” Ron Rogers, SureWest’s Director of Corporate Communications, tells me.
Much like AT&T, SureWest is very keen on the features present on the Mediaroom platform. Like AT&T, they are putting much emphasis on Whole Home DVR and fast channel change. “…Combined with our symmetrical 50 Mbps high-speed Internet capability and interactive digital phone service, Advanced Digital TV creates what we believe is the best triple-play package in both quality and value in the Sacramento market,” said Steve Oldham, SureWest’s President and CEO.
In some regards, SureWest is creating a hybrid U-verse-FiOS approach for its FTTH footprint in Sacramento, which currently passes roughly 140,000 homes. They’re offering a similar U-verse TV looking product, delivered over a FTTH network. Hence the title of my post.
SureWest also plans to offer ADTV to its video capable DSL footprint of 25,000 homes passed. Currently 15,000 of those 25,000 are ADTV eligible, with the remaining 10,000 coming on line in the next few months, Rogers tells me. Regardless of method, it adds up to a compelling competitive video product.