A Manitoba first - MTS to deploy small cell wireless technology at Dauphin's Countryfest and the Winnipeg Folk Festival

Summer music festival goers can look forward to an improved cellular experience

WINNIPEG, June 26, 2014 /CNW/ - (TSX:MBT) Just in time for two of this summer's most popular music festivals, MTS, Manitoba's leading telecommunications provider, announced today that it will deploy small cell wireless service at Dauphin's Countryfest and the Winnipeg Folk Festival. This is the first time this innovative wireless technology will be used in Manitoba and it will give people attending these festivals a superior 4G LTE cellular experience.

These permanent installations will support 4G LTE wireless service for the duration of the music festivals every year. With speeds of up to 150 Mbps, small cell wireless technology provides distributed coverage and capacity to areas of high population density. Customers can expect a 4G LTE wireless experience on par with what they would expect in Winnipeg or Brandon. LTE devices will have the power to stream movies; download music, pictures and apps faster than ever before; play multi-player games; and quickly access emails and business documents.

"These festivals have approximately 15,000 people in attendance at any given time, and MTS is pleased to provide this technology to help them stay connected," said MTS President Kelvin Shepherd.

Each year, Dauphin's Countryfest and the Winnipeg Folk Festival attract thousands of people, resulting in a huge demand for wireless data services. Over the past two years at Countryfest, MTS addressed this demand by employing mobile cell sites that provided temporary cellular service during the Festival weekend. Now, with small cell wireless technology, Countryfest and Folk Fest can look forward to a permanent, efficient solution that provides even better coverage and capacity.

MTS was the first to bring 4G LTE technology to Winnipeg and Brandon in 2012. Last year, MTS launched the service in Victoria Beach, Grand Beach, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach, and Ste. Anne. Since its introduction, MTS has doubled 4G LTE wireless network speeds, and now supports lab-verified peak download speeds of up to 150 Mbps.

LTE technology complements MTS's 4G HSPA+ wireless network, which reaches 97 per cent of the province's population. For more information about MTS's 4G LTE Wireless Network, please visit www.mts.ca/4glte.

About 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 using the latest 4G and Wi-Fi technologies, delivering the best coverage for Manitobans. MTS also continues to expand its world-class fibre-to-the-home network, making MTS's fastest Internet plans and Ultimate TV service available to more communities across Manitoba. 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 MTS's products and services 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 and the "Risks and uncertainties" section of the Company's 2013 Annual Management's Discussion & Analysis and 2013 Annual Information Form, both of which are available on SEDAR www.sedar.com.

Please note that forward-looking statements reflect Management's expectations as at the date hereof. 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

SOURCE: MTS Allstream

Media:  Craig Lawrence, Corporate Communications
204 958-3230
[email protected]