Abstract: There is disclosed the simultaneous addressing and sustaining of a surface discharge AC plasma display panel wherein at least one section of the panel is addressed while at least one other section of the panel is being simultaneously sustained. In one embodiment a reset voltage is applied to at least one section while at least one other section is being simultaneously addressed. In another embodiment, the reset voltage period in the one section is long enough to allow addressing in the other section followed by sustaining in the other said section.