Major milestone for Manitoba's award-winning TV service
Stock Symbol: MBT
WINNIPEG, April 9, 2012 /CNW/ - MTS today announced it has reached a major milestone of 100,000 subscribers tuning in to its award-winning MTS TV service*. MTS launched its industry-leading digital television service (MTS Classic TV) in 2003 and its IPTV television service (MTS Ultimate TV) in 2009. The exceptional quality and variety of choice of MTS's TV offerings have propelled this growth in just nine years.
"Our customers tell us they value the flexibility of MTS TV's channel theme groups, the high quality 100 per cent digital picture and sound, and the innovative features that make our service unique," said MTS President Kelvin Shepherd. "Customers also like the ability to save by bundling their MTS TV service together with their MTS high-speed Internet, wireless and home phone services. MTS has been an industry leader in deploying IPTV and we are excited about continuing to innovate and enhance the service going forward."
MTS was the first provider in Canada to launch the Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV platform in 2009, including the whole-home personal video recorder service that can record and play back TV programs on any connected TV in the home. The same year, MTS TV was honoured by Frost and Sullivan, a US-based market research and analysis firm, with the prestigious North American Leadership Award for Television Services.
MTS enhanced its television services again in 2010 with an expanded line-up of standard and high definition (HD) channels, and now offers customers more than 100 HD channels. MTS also began offering Ultimate Picks and My Picks in 2010, two services that provide customers with a unique experience by allowing them to view multiple channels simultaneously. Other new features included a lobby camera service that provides a front door view in multi-unit dwellings, and the Galaxie Interactive music application.
MTS Ultimate TV is currently available to 95 per cent of Winnipeg households as well as in Brandon, Portage La Prairie, Selkirk, Dauphin and a growing number of homes in Steinbach, Thompson and The Pas. MTS plans to invest up to $125 million over five years to bring its fibre-to-the-home network to more than 20 communities in Manitoba and to further expand the availability of MTS Ultimate TV service and very high-speed Internet services.
"As we continue to build our fibre-to-the-home network across the province, we will be bringing our IPTV service to even more Manitobans. So, while we are very excited about reaching this 100,000 customer milestone, we know that it's just the start," added Mr. Shepherd.
*MTS TV customers may subscribe to Ultimate TV, Classic TV or MTS Cable
MTS
MTS is the leading full-service communications provider for residential and business customers in Manitoba. The company's suite of products and services include the latest in wireless technology, high-speed Internet, an award-winning IPTV service, voice services, home security, and an extensive range of business solutions. A technology leader, MTS operates advanced wireless networks delivering the best coverage for Manitobans with its 4G, CDMA and Wi-Fi wireless networks and is investing to build out its extensive fibre-to-the-home network in over 20 Manitoba communities. MTS's momentum is fuelled by the knowledge, skills and spirit of its 3,000 Manitoba-based employees. With over 100 years of operations, MTS is rooted firmly in the community and is a proud sponsor of the MTS Centre, home to the NHL's Winnipeg Jets. MTS is wholly owned by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. which is listed on the TSX (trading symbol: MBT). For information on MTS's products and services, please visit www.mts.ca.
Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer
This news release includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively, the "statements") about the Company's corporate direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives and future financial results and performance that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materially from any conclusion, forecast or projection in such forward-looking statements. Therefore, forward-looking statements should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Examples of statements that constitute forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "project", "should", "anticipate", "could", "target", "forecast", "intend", "plan", "outlook", "see", "set", "pending", and other similar terms.
Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, matters identified in the "Material assumptions" section below, the "Risks and uncertainties" section, elsewhere in the Company's 2011 Annual MD&A and 2011 Annual Information Form, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Please note that forward-looking statements reflect Management's expectations as of today. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Media:
Craig Lawrence
Corporate Communications
(204) 941-8256
[email protected]
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