Allstream Increases IP Network Access Into and Out of Canada

New U.S. point-of-presence in Chicago

Stock Symbol:  MBT

MONTREAL, July 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Allstream, Canada's all-business communications provider, announced today that it has established a new point-of-presence (POP) in Chicago that will provide access to more than 40 of the leading domestic and international carriers and physical connection points to the world's telecommunications networks and Internet backbones. This POP location is part of Allstream's continued investment in its 30,000-kilometre IP fibre-optic network and will complement its existing U.S. connection points in Seattle, New York City, Buffalo and another Chicago location (Printer's Square).

"We are always looking for ways to meet the growing needs of U.S. and international carriers who support companies that are extending their reach across Canada, as well as those Canadian carriers whose enterprise customers want to reach more of the U.S.," said Allstream's Vice President of Sales Edith Cloutier. "This new site will also provide faster installation times for Allstream's customers who need connection points in this corridor."

The new facility, located on Cermak Street in the South Loop of the Chicago Central Business District, is in addition to Allstream's existing POP in Printer's Square. The Cermak location enables the company to offer the same high grade, redundant Switched Ethernet and Wavelength services out of two Chicago locations.

"Our point-of-presence in the Cermak facility has improved our customer experience by optimizing service delivery through a significant reduction in provisioning time in Chicago," added Ms. Cloutier. "The ability to provision services at a quicker rate ensures that all of our customers can turn up their network earlier, saving them time and money."

By teaming up with Telx, a leading provider of interconnection and data centre services, Allstream was able to get the Cermak location up and running quickly and efficiently. In addition to greater access to the strategic, high-demand North American market, the Cermak POP provides Allstream with connections in key locations near cable landing, fibre paths, exchanges and media hubs that will give its customers even greater network access and security.

For more information on Allstream, please visit: http://www.allstream.com/

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 2012 Annual MD&A and 2012 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.

SOURCE: MTS Allstream

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