SureWest pulls back covers on IP network

SureWest Communications, which has been among the most aggressive large telcos in the video market, is starting to reveal a little more about its network.

In a seemingly innocuous announcement this week, the company disclosed that it is moving faster to an all-IP infrastructure for video delivery than many had previously thought. Originally the company had based much of its video strategy on its acquisition of WinFirst’s assets out of bankruptcy. Those assets included some ATM equipment, most of which is being phased out, said Bill DeMuth, chief technology officer of SureWest.

"Over a period of time we will not have any ATM in there," he said. "All of it will be an IP-based network."

Perhaps most surprising is that the company has deployed an IP core network using enterprise equipment to upgrade to carrier reliability as part of a cost containment strategy. Specifically, SureWest is using redundant Cisco Catalyst 6509 switches. Additionally, the company has opted to use an active fiber design in its FTTH network as opposed to the passive optical network architecture chosen by Verizon, SBC and BellSouth. The end result is a network that can deliver 100 Mb/s links to every home.

So far, the company has signed up around 12,000 subscribers on its FTTH network, most of which covers an area where SureWest operates as a CLEC.