Allstream receives Avaya Connect Channel Partner Program Platinum Status

Stock Symbol: MBT

TORONTO, July 15 /CNW/ - Allstream, Canada's all-business communications provider, announced today that it has been named a Platinum-level Avaya Connect Channel Partner by Avaya, a leading global provider of business communications applications, systems and services. The Avaya Connect Platinum status is Avaya's endorsement that Allstream has the comprehensive ability to help small-to-large size businesses transform their operations with industry-leading unified communications, collaboration and contact centre solutions. Allstream has a strong history as a long-standing Nortel Elite Partner and now holds the highest level Channel Partner status for Avaya.

"The Platinum status shows that Allstream is among the top tier providers of communications solutions for business in Canada," said Dean Prevost, President, Allstream. "Avaya systems are an important part of the tool kit we use to serve our customers, and this status provides them with even more confidence that Allstream is a trusted provider with service levels among the best in the industry. We continue to build our Avaya expertise and work with Avaya to ensure our customers' needs are met."

"As Avaya continues to grow in the Canadian marketplace, we are very excited to work with communications solutions providers such as Allstream to ensure customers receive the highest level of satisfaction," said Gord Simpson, Channels Programs Leader, Avaya Canada. "Achieving Platinum status recognizes Allstream's solid track record for providing business customers with top communications solutions."

"Allstream can continue to provide our customers with the highest levels of service and support, and help them to plan a strategy to gradually migrate their systems to new solutions," said Mr. Simpson. "Customers will have more ways to improve productivity, cut costs, and become more competitive, by taking advantage of a richer set of applications and an easy migration path to IP and SIP solutions."

About Allstream

Allstream is a unit of MTS Allstream Inc. ("MTS Allstream"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. As one of Canada's leading national communication solutions companies, MTS Allstream provides innovative communications for the way Canadians want to live and work today. The Company has more than 100 years of experience, with 6,000 employees across Canada dedicated to a mission of delivering true value as seen through the eyes of our customers. MTS Allstream has nearly two million total customer connections spanning business customers across Canada and residential consumers throughout the province of Manitoba. The Company's extensive national broadband and fibre optic network spans almost 30,000 kilometres. MTS Allstream is a proud sponsor of Cindy Klassen, 2006 World Champion and Canada's greatest Olympian, and a proud contributor to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). Customers, stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream services, markets, community commitments and record of creating shareholder value are encouraged to visit: www.mtsallstream.com.

About Avaya

Avaya is a global leader in enterprise communications systems. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, data solutions and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world. Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com

For further information: Media: Laura Dickie, MTS Allstream Corporate Communications, [phone], [phone], [email protected]; Investors: Paul Peters, MTS Allstream Investor Relations, [phone], [email protected]