MTS Mobility Celebrates 20 Years in Manitoba

Wed. May 07, 2008; Posted: 04:51 PM

Stock Symbol: MBT

WINNIPEG, May 7 /CNW/ - Mobile communications in Manitoba took a major step forward on this day 20 years ago with the launch of MTS Mobility and its very first cell phone call, which was made by Dr. Don Reimer, CEO of the Reimer Express group of companies, from a tour boat in the Red River at The Forks. This call was the first step forward for a business that has developed over the years into Manitoba's wireless leader.

"As we celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2008, it is fitting to mark today as an important milestone in the evolution of our business," said Pierre Blouin, CEO of MTS Allstream Inc. "The wireless industry is in many ways a symbol of how technology can transform the way we live our lives, and in the process, revolutionize our business. From one call on one phone 20 years ago in the era where the only choice in phones was between a black or a grey handset, to a service today offering countless different handsets, new features, e-mail, video and audio downloads, MTS Mobility plays an increasingly important role in the lives of Manitobans. Today we look back, but we also look forward, to new services and new opportunities that we share with our customers."

"I can't think of a device that has grown and changed business and personal lives faster than cellular telephones," said Dr. Reimer. "They provide me with the reach to connect anywhere in the world, and that is very important. To this day, I have retained the cell phone number that MTS Mobility provided for me to use when I made the first call, and I am proud to be using the very first cell phone number given out in Manitoba."

MTS Mobility's first two cellular sites were located in downtown Winnipeg at 360 Main Street and at Grassmere Road in West St. Paul. Between these two locations, the network could support a total of 15 calls at the same time. Today, MTS Mobility boasts Manitoba's widest network, covering 97% of Manitoba residents, including 72% with advanced EV-DO high-speed wireless data service, and over 200 sites that are capable of supporting thousands of simultaneous calls, text and other transmissions. As at December 31, 2007, MTS Mobility had over 394,000 subscribers, and is still growing strong.

About MTS Allstream

MTS Allstream Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., and is one of Canada's leading national communication solutions providers, delivering innovative products and services through the Enterprise Solutions and Consumer Markets divisions. The Enterprise Solutions division, which operates under the Allstream brand nationally and under the MTS Allstream brand in Manitoba, is a leading competitor in the national business and wholesale markets. This division offers customers a portfolio of solutions tailored to the needs of medium and large businesses looking for success in a world of rapidly evolving technology - Internet protocol connectivity, unified communications, IT consulting and security services, and voice and data connectivity services. The Consumer Markets division leads every telecommunications market segment in Manitoba, delivering a full suite of next generation wireless, high-speed Internet and data, digital television and wireline voice services under the MTS brand, as well as small business services in select markets across Canada under the Allstream brand, and security and alarm monitoring services through AAA Alarm Systems Ltd., an affiliate of MTS Allstream which also operates in other western provinces. MTS Allstream's extensive national broadband fibre optic network spans more than 24,300 kilometres, and provides international connections through strategic alliances and interconnection agreements with other international service providers. Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). For more information, please visit: www.mtsallstream.com.

SOURCE: MTS Allstream Inc.

MTS contacts: Media: Greg Burch, Manager Corporate Communications, (204) 941-8576, media.relations@mtsallstream.com; Investors: Ian Chadsey, Vice-President Investor Relations, (204) 941-8283, investor.relations@mtsallstream.com

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