Enhanced Wireless E-911 Launched in Manitoba

Technology will allow 911 service to better locate wireless callers

Stock Symbol: MBT

WINNIPEG , Feb. 1 /CNW/ - Allstream Inc. is pleased to announce that enhanced wireless E-911 service is now available in Manitoba. This network improvement, known as Phase II enhanced wireless 911 service will allow Manitoba's Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to see the approximate location of callers placing a 911 emergency call using their cell phones. MTS Allstream has introduced this across its CDMA cellular network in Manitoba.

"We are pleased to provide enhanced 911 wireless network technology that will assist in providing improved emergency caller location information, allowing the committed police officers, firefighters and emergency responders who already do so much for the people of Manitoba to provide even better service for the public," said Kelvin Shepherd , President, MTS. "This project has been a team effort, involving representatives from the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba who fund and operate the E911 call centres (PSAPs) which serve the public every day."

The location information provided to the PSAP is based on the longitude and latitude coordinates of where the wireless handset is located when a call is placed. This enhancement of enabling improved wireless handset location information has been in development for approximately two years and its implementation across Canada was mandated by a February 2009 Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decision.

Most MTS CDMA cellular handsets already in use and all new CDMA handsets offered by MTS have the GPS or other technologies required to take advantage of Phase II Enhanced wireless 911 service.

This service is available only where E-911 service, which is provided by relevant government agencies, exists. The location information provided can vary greatly from a few meters to several hundred meters, depending on the location of the call, the local environment and the technology employed. It is also important to note that the new service has some limits. It does not provide a street address or apartment number, and other limitations are possible based on call location and environmental factors which can affect the technology. Cell phone users should always be prepared to provide a 9-1-1 call taker with their exact location as best they can.

With the launch of this new service, MTS Allstream has complied with the service requirements and schedule established by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

For additional information on Phase II enhanced wireless 911 and to verify if your handset can take advantage of these features please visit www.mts.ca/wirelesse911 for more information.

About MTS Allstream

MTS Allstream is 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.

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