SureWest Communications announced some of the gear it will deploy for its rollout of HDTV over its Internet-protocol-based fiber-to-the-premises network.

The operator said it will expand its use of BigBand Networks Inc.’s “BMR (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router),” which it currently uses to enable more than 240 channels of live video and music programs, pay-per-view and conversion of multimedia content for IP distribution.

As far as set-tops, SureWest said it has already rolled out Amino Communications plc’s “AmiNET120 HD” box to a core group of subscribers in the Sacramento, Calif., region in a beta-test.

SureWest announced its intentions to roll out HDTV over IP in October.