Staying Connected at Countryfest Easier Than Ever Before

With Mobile App, Charging Station, Temporary Cellular Tower

DAUPHIN MB, June 17, 2013 /CNW/ - Dauphin's Countryfest, Canada's longest running country music festival, is partnering with MTS to offer fans enhanced wireless services this year. Together, they're introducing two new acts to this year's line-up: the MTS Charging Station and a brand new temporary cellular tower. These new services are going to help MTS customers stay connected at the festival.

"Countryfest fans will be able to stay plugged in and share the festival experience with their friends and family," says Eric Irwin, president of Dauphin's Countryfest. "Not only will festival goers be able to call, text and surf the Internet on their devices, they'll also be able to take pictures with a customized Countryfest photo frame and share it on social media sites with the Countryfest mobile app."

Countryfest recently signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with MTS that will bring enhanced wireless services to the festival site. Building on the success of last year's Cell-on-Wheels mobile cellular tower, MTS is setting up a temporary cell site to provide cellular service during festival weekend. Countryfest invested over $80,000 towards the overall cost of building a permanent structure to support the cell site. MTS is also powering a charging station for wireless devices at the festival as part of this unique arrangement.

"We're excited to bring the MTS Charging Station to Countryfest," said Kelvin Shepherd, president of MTS. "With the capacity to charge over 100 devices every hour, this free service is a great addition to our sponsorship."

MTS and Dauphin's Countryfest have developed a strong partnership over the years. Countryfest is pleased to announce the naming of the MTS Stage, formerly known as the Hilltop stage, where festival-goers will be treated to a fantastic line-up of artists.

ABOUT DAUPHIN'S COUNTRYFEST
www.countryfest.ca

Canada's longest running country music festival, Dauphin's Countryfest celebrates its 24th anniversary June 27 to June 30, 2013. Tickets for this year's event sold out in a record-setting 12 hours back in November.

Since 1990, the four-day camping music festival draws the biggest names in country music. Situated on the edge of Riding Mountain National Park, thousands of visitors take in the natural beauty of this Manitoba region. With a capacity of 14,000, the unique outdoor amphitheatre built into the side of a naturally occurring hill provides every patron a perfect view from any seat in the house.

Countryfest is a not-for-profit organization that consists of a 12-member volunteer Board of Directors and a membership of over 1500 loyal followers. Organizers credit the 2000 volunteers who work tirelessly every year providing essential services for the festival weekend, while fundraising for their respective community organizations. Countryfest contributes approximately $150,000 annually toward these organizations for providing these services.

Dauphin's Countryfest was awarded the 2012 Philanthropist of the Year Award from The Dauphin & District Community Foundation. It was presented at the Community Foundation's annual dinner, given to individuals or businesses that show the true spirit of philanthropy and giving.

ABOUT MTS
www.mts.ca

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 multiple 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).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER FROM MTS
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

CONTACT FOR MEDIA:
RoseAnna Schick, RAS Creative 
Publicist for 2013 Dauphin's Countryfest 
204-783-7600 / [email protected] 
www.ras-creative.com

Jessica Poitras
Corporate Communications, MTS 
204-958-3230 / [email protected]
www.mts.ca