MTS Allstream Working to Restore Service to Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids and South Indian Lake

Stock Symbol: MBT

WINNIPEG, July 3 /CNW/ - MTS Allstream staff are in the process of restoring the telecommunications site at Notigi Lake in northern Manitoba, 110 kilometres north-west of Thompson, which was damaged by a fire on Sunday, June 28, 2009. Based on an updated assessment of the work MTS Allstream anticipates the Notigi Lake site, and telecommunications services to Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids and South Indian Lake, will now be restored within the next three days.

Communications to the three communities were originally disrupted when the fire destroyed the buildings, diesel generators and microwave equipment at the Notigi Lake site. This damage has blocked calling services in and out of the affected communities, as well as FleetNet 800(TM) digital radio services in those communities. Local calling in each community has still been functioning. In the interim, MTS Allstream has provided satellite phones to medical and public safety personnel and local governments to facilitate emergency communications during the disruption.

MTS Allstream is cooperating with the Office of the Fire Commissioner and the RCMP in an ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire.

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. In 2008, MTS Allstream had 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.

Contacts

Media: Greg Burch
MTS Allstream Corporate Communications
(204) 941-8576
media.relations@mtsallstream.com