MTS's premium Ultimate TV service now available in The Pas, Manitoba

New fibre optic network delivers world class technology to Northern community 

Stock Symbol:  MBT

WINNIPEG, Feb. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - MTS today announces the launch of its industry-leading MTS Ultimate TV service in The Pas, MB.  The award-winning MTS Ultimate TV service provides Manitobans with one of the most feature rich television experiences in Canada, and is made available over MTS's fibre-to-the-home network. The new fibre-to-the-home network (MTS FiON® Network) provides access to today's most advanced telecommunications services and lays the groundwork for the services of the future.

"MTS is committed to providing our customers with the most innovative telecommunications services available within the industry," said MTS President Kelvin Shepherd.  "We are thrilled that the residents of The Pas will now benefit from this commitment as we launch the MTS Ultimate TV experience in the community."

MTS's Ultimate TV offers a variety of channel packages, high quality 100 per cent digital picture and sound, as well as a Whole Home PVR feature which enables customers to pause a recorded show in one room and finish watching it in another room.  MTS My Picks and Ultimate Picks applications allow customers to keep track of six different channels at the same time, while TV Call Display lets them see who is calling on their MTS Home Phone. MTS Ultimate TV also offers an extensive lineup of over 350 digital TV and music channels, over 100 HD channels, and access to Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View events.

The Pas is the latest community in Manitoba to be connected to MTS's new fibre optic network.  The MTS FiON Network connects directly into people's homes, delivering a huge amount of bandwidth which enables faster speeds and lays the groundwork for delivering new services such as MTS Ultimate TV.  Customers on this new network will also have access to an exciting suite of high-speed Internet products, with speeds up to 32 Mbps and future speeds of over 100 Mbps.

MTS is investing $125 million over five years to deploy its fibre-to-the-home network to 120,000 homes and enable MTS Ultimate TV service in more than 20 communities in Manitoba.  MTS Ultimate TV is currently available to over 95 per cent of Winnipeg households, and in Brandon, Portage La Prairie and a growing number of homes in Selkirk, Steinbach, Dauphin and Thompson.

Over 1,335 homes in The Pas are now eligible for fibre connection and MTS's Ultimate TV service. MTS plans to have the MTS FiON Network fully deployed in The Pas by late 2012.

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

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 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.

 

Media:          
Sylvie Houghton
Manager, Corporate Communications
MTS
[phone]
[email protected]