MTS Allstream ramps up support for artists across Prairies

Stock Symbol:  MBT

National Arts Centre to unveil preliminary details for the 2011 Prairie Scene festival in Ottawa

WINNIPEG, Nov. 19 /CNW/ - MTS Allstream is pleased to announce that, today, Canada's National Arts Centre and Prairie Scene will unveil preliminary details regarding the 2011 Prairie Scene festival, which celebrates contemporary arts and culture of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. With the support of MTS Allstream, some of Manitoba's most exciting artists will take over the Ottawa arts scene from Tuesday, April 26 to Sunday, May 8, 2011.

"Prairie Scene is an incredible celebration that will showcase the vibrant and diverse talent of artists from Manitoba and Saskatchewan," said Kelvin Shepherd, President, MTS. "MTS Allstream knows first hand how many great musicians, writers, filmmakers and other artists there are in Manitoba and we are proud to support this one-of-a-kind event that will highlight some of the most exciting artists from across the Prairies."

In May, MTS Allstream announced it would be the Presenting Sponsor of the event, which will help Prairie Scene provide artists and arts organizations in Manitoba with a unique outreach and development opportunity.

Prairie Scene will invite more than 500 Manitoba and Saskatchewan artists including musicians, actors, choreographers, visual and media artists, filmmakers, writers and master chefs to the nation's capital where they will bring their unique talent to audiences in concert halls, theatres, galleries, bars, clubs, museums and restaurants throughout the region.

Canada's National Arts Centre will present Prairie Scene, the fifth in a series of national Scene festivals celebrating and showcasing our country's finest established and emerging artists. For more information on the 2011 Prairie Scene festival, please visit: www.prairiescene.ca.

About MTS Allstream
MTS Allstream Inc. 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 Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). Customers, stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream are encouraged to visit: www.mtsallstream.com.

Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer
This news release includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively, the "statements") about our corporate direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives,  planned activities, 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, anticipation or projection in such forward-looking statements.  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 "Risks and Uncertainties" section and elsewhere in our most recent annual MD&A and any subsequent quarterly MD&As, as well as our most recent Annual Information Form, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Please note that forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as at the date hereof.  We disclaim 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. 

For further information:

Media:          
Gillian Giesbrecht      
MTS Allstream Corporate Communications  
[phone]   
[email protected]