MTS celebrates 25 years as Manitoba's leading wireless provider

MTS announces plans to expand 4G LTE network in 2013

Stock Symbol:  MBT

WINNIPEG, May 6, 2013 /CNW/ - From analog in 1988 to today's blazing-fast 4G LTE, MTS has proudly introduced Manitobans to ground-breaking wireless technologies. MTS held an event today at MTS's Connect Store in Winnipeg Square to celebrate the Company's 25^th anniversary of providing wireless service in Manitoba.  As part of today's festivities, Kelvin Shepherd, President, MTS announced plans to expand MTS's 4G LTE Wireless Network to six new communities in 2013.

"MTS's 4G LTE Wireless Network currently covers more than 60 per cent of Manitoba's population, and we're pleased to be expanding to six more communities in 2013," said Mr. Shepherd. "Over the next five years, MTS's 4G LTE Wireless Network is poised to become substantially larger and reach even more Manitobans."

MTS expects to launch 4G LTE wireless services later this year in Selkirk, Portage la Prairie, Steinbach, Ste. Anne, Grand Beach and Victoria Beach. MTS was the first to bring 4G LTE Wireless services to Winnipeg and Brandon in 2012.

"Since the first cell phone call was placed in 1988, MTS's wireless network has grown to encompass over 200 cell sites that simultaneously support over one million calls, millions of texts, and terabytes of data every day," added Mr. Shepherd. "We have been a pioneer for communications technology in Manitoba and continue to invest in our province to deliver the most trusted and reliable wireless service."

MTS launched cellular service on May 6, 1988. Since then, MTS has made revolutionary new wireless technologies available to Manitobans. MTS became the first Canadian company to offer Internet and e-mail service for PDA devices in 2001. Five years later, MTS was the first to offer high-speed wireless Internet access in Winnipeg and Brandon. In 2011, MTS launched its 4G HSPA+ Wireless Network and made high-speed wireless data available to 97 per cent of Manitoba's population.

MTS customers enjoyed cake and coffee at MTS Connect stores across the province today in celebration. MTS customers were also invited to enter a draw for the chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 plus 25 weeks of free MTS wireless service.

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 delivering the best coverage for Manitobans with its 4G, CDMA and Wi-Fi wireless networks and is investing to build out its extensive fibre-to-the-home network in over 20 Manitoba communities. 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 the Company's corporate direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives and 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 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 below, the "Risks and uncertainties" section, elsewhere in the Company's 2012 Annual MD&A and 2012 Annual Information Form, all of which are available on SEDAR at 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]