Manitoba first in Canada to launch province-wide Text with 9-1-1

Increasing accessibility an MTS priority

WINNIPEG, June 5, 2014 /CNW/ - MTS, Manitoba's leading telecommunications provider, today announced that members of the deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech impaired (DHHSI) community now have the ability to communicate with 9-1-1 call centres in Manitoba using wireless text messaging through the Text with 9-1-1 service (T9-1-1).

"MTS is proud to offer Text with 9-1-1 across Manitoba," said MTS President Kelvin Shepherd. "We encourage all members of the DHSSI community to register their wireless devices so they can access this important service."

T9-1-1 is supported by all wireless service providers and is now available in areas of Manitoba with Enhanced 9-1-1 capability. Enhanced 9-1-1 provides emergency operators with the caller's wireless phone number and the location of the cellular tower handling the call. Customers must also be in their wireless service provider's coverage area to access T9-1-1.

MTS has a long track record of initiatives to improve accessibility. The MTS Accessibility Centre, located in the MTS Connect store at Winnipeg's Portage Place Mall, is a comprehensive source of information on the many ways MTS improves access for customers. The Centre offers visually impaired customers contracts written in Braille or large font, and has an employee on staff who uses American Sign Language.

Customers can register for a number of programs and services at the Accessibility Centre such as TTY and IP Relay. MTS also offers an Accessibility Credit, a $15.00 monthly discount on many of MTS's current 4G smartphone plans available exclusively to customers with speech, vision, hearing, cognitive, or physical and motor skills impairments.

MTS was recently acknowledged with a 2014 Best in Class Marketing Award from the Broadband Multimedia Marketing Association for MTS TV's MyRemote, which can be used by hearing and visually impaired customers to customize their MTS Ultimate TV® remote to turn on Closed Captioning or Described Video Service with the touch of a single button.

Information on the many ways MTS offers improved access to its products and services can be found at www.mts.ca/accessibility.

The launch of T9-1-1 in Manitoba was made possible through the collaboration of the provincial Public Safety Answering Points and the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association. Visit www.textwith911.ca for general information about how to use T9-1-1 and service availability across Canada. MTS wireless customers who are members of the DHHSI community must register their approved wireless devices for T9-1-1 either at www.mts.ca/t911 or at an MTS Dealer.

About MTS
MTS is the leading full-service communications provider for residential and business customers in Manitoba. The company's suite of products and services include the latest in wireless technology, high-speed Internet, an award-winning IPTV service, voice services, home security, and an extensive range of business solutions. A technology leader, MTS operates advanced wireless networks using the latest 4G and Wi-Fi technologies, delivering the best coverage for Manitobans. MTS also continues to expand its world-class fibre-to-the-home network, making MTS's fastest Internet plans and Ultimate TV service available to more communities across Manitoba. MTS's momentum is fuelled by the knowledge, skills and spirit of its 3,000 Manitoba-based employees. With over 100 years of operations, MTS is rooted firmly in the community and is a proud sponsor of the MTS Centre, home to the NHL's Winnipeg Jets. MTS is wholly owned by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. which is listed on the TSX (trading symbol: MBT). For information on MTS's products and services, please visit www.mts.ca.

Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer
This news release includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively, the "statements") about MTS's products and services 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 and the "Risks and uncertainties" section of the Company's 2013 Annual Management's Discussion & Analysis and 2013 Annual Information Form, both of which are available on SEDAR 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:  
Chelsea Ross, Corporate Communications
204 958-3230
[email protected]