MTS Allstream Announces Campaign to Support Red Cross Relief Efforts in Haiti

Company will leverage consumer channels in Manitoba to sustain visibility of Red Cross relief efforts

Stock Symbol: MBT

WINNIPEG and TORONTO , Jan. 18 /CNW/ - MTS Allstream today announced that it has launched a campaign to support the relief efforts of the Canadian Red Cross in Haiti . The company will leverage its MTS-brand consumer channels in Manitoba and its national employee base to work closely with the Canadian Red Cross to promote their Haitian earthquake relief efforts so they can have the opportunity for sustained attention and support from the public. The company has also announced a donation of $25,000 to support the Canadian Red Cross efforts directly.

"MTS Allstream employees and customers from across Canada have a tremendous record of supporting worthy causes and have been moved by the news of the tragedy in Haiti ," said Pierre Blouin , CEO, MTS Allstream. "We are pleased to leverage our various communications channels and lines of business to promote and facilitate donations from employees and the public and we hope we can help the Canadian Red Cross in their earthquake relief efforts. We are also pleased to make our own direct donation of $25,000 as part of this campaign."

MTS TV will provide air time for public service announcements related to the Canadian Red Cross's earthquake relief effort on nine channels, and will also provide an opportunity for the Canadian Red Cross to send a message directly to customers via the MTS TV guide and Weather Ticker on the MTS TV weather channel. Red Cross earthquake relief materials and collateral are being deployed to the over 100 retail locations that serve MTS customers across Manitoba. MTS Allstream web sites, including mtsallstream.com, mts.ca and allstream.com will have Canadian Red Cross advertising highlighting earthquake relief efforts provided for free. Nationally, MTS Allstream's 6,000 employees are also being encouraged to support the relief effort with direct contributions of their own to the Canadian Red Cross.

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: Michael Bouliane, MTS Allstream Corporate Communications, [phone], [email protected]