MTS President and Thompson Mayor celebrate launch of fibre optic network and Ultimate TV service in Thompson

Two lucky MTS customers win big at MTS Connect Store event

Stock Symbol:  MBT   

THOMPSON, MB, April 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Thompson Mayor Tim Johnston joined MTS employees and local residents at the MTS Connect Store today to celebrate the successful launch of MTS's fibre optic network (MTS FiON® Network) and its industry-leading MTS Ultimate TV service in Thompson.  The event also hailed MTS's recent 100,000 MTS TV customers milestone - a significant accomplishment given that MTS launched its digital television service (MTS Classic TV) in 2003 and its IPTV television service (MTS Ultimate TV) in 2009.

To celebrate this major milestone, a recent MTS Ultimate TV subscriber from Thompson was selected to represent the 100,000^th customer and won one year of free MTS TV service.  Thompson resident Shirley Lafreniere signed up for MTS Ultimate TV in March shortly after MTS TV service was made available in the community.

"It's a wonderful surprise," said Ms. Lafreniere, when asked how she felt about winning.  "I've been enjoying MTS Ultimate TV since the service was made available here in Thompson. It's great to have another service provider to choose from and the quality and features of MTS's Ultimate TV service are fantastic. One year of free service is going to make my TV viewing even better!"

As part of the day's festivities, another Thompson resident won a 40 inch LED HD Samsung TV.

MTS's award-winning Ultimate TV service provides Manitobans with one of the most feature-rich television services in Canada, delivering over 100 HD channels and the Whole Home PVR service that can record and playback TV programs on any connected TV in the home as well as many other innovative features.

"We are thrilled to offer our high definition MTS Ultimate TV service in Thompson, one of the growing number of communities in Manitoba where MTS is deploying fibre-to-the-home technology," said MTS President Kelvin Shepherd.  "The FiON Network is one of the most advanced fibre optic network technologies in Canada and Thompson residents can now enjoy these exciting new services."

FiON supplies a huge amount of bandwidth directly into MTS customers' homes, providing excellent support for current telephone and high-speed Internet services, while laying the groundwork for delivering new services, such as MTS Ultimate TV.  Thompson Mayor Tim Johnston also attended today's celebratory event.

"We are pleased to see a major company like MTS commit to an investment of this magnitude here in Thompson," said Mayor Johnston.  "The deployment of fibre optic technology is well timed and will help pave the way to additional new development.  The entertainment services that the network enables will certainly appeal to the number of growing young families who live here - that's a great benefit."

MTS is investing $125 million over five years to deploy its fibre-to-the-home network to more than 120,000 homes and enable MTS Ultimate TV service in more than 20 communities in Manitoba. Approximately 1,627 homes in Thompson are currently eligible for fibre connection and MTS's Ultimate TV Service.

For more information on MTS FiON Network and MTS Ultimate TV please visit www.mts.ca.

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 2011 Annual MD&A and 2011 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 of today. 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.

Media:  
Sylvie Houghton
Corporate Communications
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