Comtrend Corporation Launches BeamLink HD IPTV Wireless Video Adapters

Single Box Solution Provides Blazing Speed at an Attractive Cost to Support Advanced IP-Based Entertainment

Feb 25,2010

Comtrend Corporation, a global supplier of advanced networking solutions, today announced that SureWest Communications (NASDAQ: SURW) has selected Comtrend’s NexusLink as the ADSL2+ solution of choice for a new video services rollout over its copper-based network. SureWest’s new IP video service is being marketed as Advanced Digital TV powered by Microsoft Mediaroom, and is available over both its existing fiber-to-the-home and copper networks.

Comtrend’s NexusLink bonded ADSL2+ gateway gives SureWest an alternative to fiber for customers on its copper network by utilizing existing copper telephone lines at speeds capable of supporting simultaneous streams of HDTV, voice and data. NexusLink extends the capability of basic ADSL by doubling the number of downstream bits through combining two copper pairs as a single connection. At 1/20 the cost of fiber deployment, ADSL2+ has the ability to deliver high speed services at long distances from a Central Office.

NexusLink provides a single box solution to support Triple Play architectures and doubles the bandwidth performance of traditional ADSL2+ devices. As a fully functional residential gateway, the NexusLink has full routing capabilities including traffic management and TR-069 capability. Comtrend was a pioneer and first to market with Bonded ADSL2+ CPE products in 2005.

The Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV and multimedia software platform empowers SureWest to deliver a superior entertainment experience to a customer’s home over a flexible and scalable platform delivering world-class IPTV service.

“After rigorous initial pilot programs with Comtrend’s NexusLink ADSL2+ Bonded Gateway, we found the product to be both reliable and cost-effective,” says Bill DeMuth, senior vice president and chief technology officer of SureWest Communications. “We’re pleased to expand our advanced IP-based entertainment offerings knowing that the Comtrend gateway will provide us with the speed and stability consumers demand in their viewing experience.”

“We are proud to partner with a company as aggressive in its video service strategy as SureWest,” says John Castreje, General Manager, North America for Comtrend Corporation. “NexusLink is the perfect fit for IPTV and other high bandwidth applications using existing copper lines to deliver next-generation entertainment.”

About Comtrend:

Comtrend Corporation is a leading global supplier of DSL-based networking solutions. Comtrend designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of networking equipment consisting of ADSL2+, Bonded DSL, VDSL2, GPON, STBs, VOIP and other networking technologies. We bring value to consumers through our direct service provider customers across the world. Comtrend is committed to industry standards, interoperability and market-leading performance. Comtrend’s vision is to bring people together with technology through a focus on innovation and superior service. The company has its North American headquarters in Irvine, California, and offices in Spain, Brazil, the UK, France, the Czech Republic, China and Taiwan. For more information please visit www.comtrend.com

About SureWest

SureWest Communications (www.surewest.com) is a leading integrated communications provider and the bandwidth leader in the markets it serves. Headquartered in Northern California for more than 95 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. SureWest was the nation’s first provider to launch residential HDTV over an IP network and offers one of the nation’s fastest symmetrical Internet services with speeds of up to 50 Mbps in each direction on its fiber-to-the-home network.