PricewaterhouseCoopers to acquire MTS Allstream's Professional Services
consulting group

TORONTO , Jan. 12 /CNW/ - PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada (PwC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Professional Services consulting group of MTS Allstream, a subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., effective February 1, 2010 . The acquisition includes client contracts and approximately 180 National consulting professionals from MTS Allstream's IT consulting and security consulting groups.

Bill McFarland, a National Managing Partner within PwC Canada , notes that, "PwC Consulting will now be able to leverage the expertise of this group and their network of vendor and subcontractor relationships to greatly expand our technology service offerings. This acquisition immediately enhances our ability in the marketplace, to provide an expanded base of clients with full-service value - from strategy through to implementation."

The acquisition will impact PwC offices primarily in Toronto , Ottawa , Quebec , Edmonton , St. John's and Halifax . The members of the team joining PwC have unique experience in Enterprise Applications, Information Management, Security Consulting and Project Management and they bring deep client relationships largely in the public and financial services sectors, as well as in a broad range of other businesses and industries.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory (consulting and deals) services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. In Canada , PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (www.pwc.com/ca) and its related entities have more than 5,300 partners and staff in offices across the country.

PwC Consulting, teams directly with clients to help them achieve real success as they seek to transform their businesses. We invest in long-term client relationships to be the partner of choice in designing, managing, implementing and executing lasting change. We address issues impacting our clients by delivering our Global capabilities in the areas of strategy, operations, finance, people & change, risk and technology.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

About MTS Allstream

MTS Allstream 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 The Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). Customers, stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream services, markets, community commitments and record of creating shareholder value are encouraged to visit: www.mtsallstream.com.

For further information: Kiran Chauhan, [phone], [email protected]