MTS provides final partnership payment to Norway House Cree Nation - completes reimbursement for their investment in cellular service

Community-funded approach to cell coverage a success in northern community

Stock Symbol:  MBT

NORWAY HOUSE CREE NATION, MB, Nov. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - MTS President Kelvin Shepherd joined Chief Ron Evans and Norway House Cree Nation (NHCN) Council at a General Band Meeting today to thank the NHCN for partnering with MTS to bring cellular services to their community. Nine years after MTS and NHCN signed a joint investment agreement; MTS has made its final payment under that agreement which fully reimburses NHCN for the funding they put forward to assist in constructing the cell site.

"As a result of this nine-year agreement, Norway House residents and businesses have benefited tremendously from access to cellular services," said Chief Ron Evans. "This partnership has demonstrated that by working together we can achieve positive results for our people and contribute to sustainable economic development for our communities."

"Norway House became the first remote community in Manitoba to receive cellular services because of their leadership and willingness to partner with MTS by making an investment in cellular infrastructure," said MTS President Kelvin Shepherd. "Their success shows the community-funded model can be a viable option for bringing cellular service to underserved areas."

Norway House Cree Nation was the first to enter into an agreement with MTS to expand cell coverage using a community-funded approach. At the time, there were significant economic and funding challenges that made it difficult for MTS to expand cellular service to Norway House. NHCN covered the upfront costs to install cellular equipment, while MTS covered costs for connecting the community to the MTS cellular network as well as ongoing maintenance and support costs. MTS gradually reimbursed NHCN for their initial community investment as new cellphone subscribers signed up with MTS.

Thanks to population growth and economic development, the community has expanded over the past nine years - increasing the number of new cellphone users in the area and allowing the full amount of the community investment to be reimbursed to NHCN. In addition, MTS has also upgraded the technology serving Norway House with 4G HSPA+ technology ensuring the community continues to have access to the latest mobile services and wireless devices.

MTS is Manitoba's leading mobile service provider and has invested more than $100 million in advanced wireless technology - deploying 4G HSPA+ wireless coverage to 97 per cent of Manitobans and most recently becoming the first service provider to launch 4G LTE wireless technology in Manitoba, with MTS 4G LTE wireless service now available in Winnipeg and Brandon. MTS plans to bring 4G LTE wireless service to more communities across Manitoba in 2013.

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.

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SOURCE: MTS Allstream

Media:
Chelsea Ross MTS Corporate Communications
[phone]
[email protected]

Caterina Ferlaino
External Resource Developer, Norway House Cree Nation
[phone]
[email protected]