Allstream achieves Cisco Master Managed Services Certification

Company recognized for having highest level of expertise in developing and delivering managed services

Stock Symbol:  MBT

TORONTO, May 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Allstream, Canada's all-business communications provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded Cisco's Managed Services Channel Program Master certification.

The Cisco Managed Services Master Certification is for partners who sell and deliver Cisco-based managed services through a premium network operations center (NOC) investment and offer enhanced management and stewardship practices.

The certification is a testament to Allstream's sophisticated managed services practices and services, reflecting the best customer experiences.

"Allstream's investment in the Cisco Master Managed Services Certification ranks it among an elite group of channel partners with the resources to deploy, manage and support services for multiple technologies," said Edison Peres, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Channels at Cisco.

As a key component of the Cisco Managed Services Master program, Allstream has developed and implemented rigorous managed service ITIL processes, practices, and tools to support Cisco Advanced technologies at all phases of the service lifecycle.

"Allstream was an early adopter of the Cisco platform and we are proud to be recognized by Cisco for our leadership in this area," said Allstream's President Dean Prevost.

Allstream will be showcasing its capabilities at Cisco Plus - one of Canada's leading IT and thought leadership conferences - on May 16, 2012.

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 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.

Media:
Selena Hinds
Corporate Communications
[phone]
[email protected]