Allstream Achieves Cisco Cloud and Managed Services Master Certification

Company acknowledged for expertise in selling and delivering Cloud and Managed Services

Stock Symbol:  MBT

TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Allstream announced today that it has achieved the Cisco^® Cloud and Managed Services Master Certification. This certification recognizes Allstream as having the capabilities to sell and deliver cloud and managed services to help accelerate time-to-market and time-to-revenue. Additionally, the certification rewards partners for their expertise and investments for creating, selling and delivering cloud and managed services world-wide, in all countries of legal presence with financial incentives and go-to-market benefits.

The Cisco Cloud and Managed Services Program (CMSP) certification is part of the Cisco Cloud and Managed Services Program go-to-market strategy, focused on helping partners such as Allstream envision, build, market and sell cloud and managed services with business acceleration tools and services, sales training and the Cisco Cloud Marketplace to address the varied needs of its customers. As a Cisco Cloud and Managed Services Master Certified Partner, Allstream will sell and deliver at least two Cisco Powered services (managed and/or cloud services with Cisco Powered services designations), built on the IT Infrastructure Library (or ITIL) framework and provide enhanced management and stewardship practices to its customers.

"With Cisco's Cloud and Managed Services Master Certification, Allstream can deliver cloud solutions that are highly reliable, secure and available," said Allstream's President Dean Prevost. "Allstream was an early adopter of Cisco cloud services and we are proud to be recognized by Cisco for our leadership in this area."

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides a framework for partners to build and showcase the sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills required to successfully deliver Cisco solutions to customers. Through the program's specializations and certifications, Cisco recognizes a partner's expertise in deploying solutions based on Cisco advanced technologies and services. Using a third-party audit process, the program validates a partner's technology skills, business practices, customer satisfaction, pre-sales and post-sales support capabilities and other critical factors that customers consider when choosing a trusted partner.

For more information on Allstream's Managed Services, please visit http://www.allstream.com/products/managed-services

About Allstream

Allstream is a Canadian leader in IP communications and the only national communications provider that works exclusively with business customers of all sizes. With nearly 600,000 customer connections, Allstream's momentum is fuelled by the knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial spirit of its 2,500 employees across the country who collaborate with customers to determine their unique communications solutions needs. Supported by its more than 30,000-kilometre nationwide high-performance fibre-optic network, Allstream's broad portfolio of business solutions are built from an array of advanced communications technologies and services including a wide range of innovative, highly-scalable IP-based solutions to help organizations communicate more efficiently and profitably. Allstream takes pride in its commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience, and has long been recognized by its technology partners for the contributions made to their businesses. Allstream is wholly-owned by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., which is listed on the TSX (trading symbol: MBT). For information on Allstream's products and solutions, please visit www.allstream.com.

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.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.

SOURCE: MTS Allstream

Media:
Alexandra Walsh
Corporate Communications
416-642-4030
[email protected]