MTS Allstream to open trading on TSX on February 23, 2012

Company honoured with market open ceremony for good governance practices

Stock Symbol:  MBT

WINNIPEG, Feb. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Tomorrow, Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (the "Company" or "MTS Allstream") will officially open trading on Toronto Stock Exchange, sounding the siren to kick off the morning's transactions.  Members of MTS Allstream's Board of Directors and executive committee will join Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Blouin, to participate in this longstanding tradition.

TMX Group invited MTS Allstream to this special market open ceremony as a result of its 2011 Governance Gavel Award from the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance, presented to the Company last summer.

"In this era of increased scrutiny on publicly traded companies, we are proud to be recognized as a leader in adopting best practices," said Pierre Blouin, Chief Executive Officer. "I see this award as a reflection of the importance MTS Allstream puts upon clear public disclosure and good governance. It is our mission to constantly engage with our shareholders and continue that dialogue."

MTS Allstream received this national award for its clear and effective public disclosure and leading governance practices.  Last year, the Company completed a comprehensive review that saw the development of a revised compensation program for its senior executives and a significantly enhanced proxy circular, resulting in a more robust governance program.

Tomorrow's ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. ET and will be available on www.tmx.com later that morning.

For Market Openings: Media may pick up a feed from the TOC (television operations centre) for all market open ceremonies. The feed is named TSX Transmit 2 and is produced at the TMX Broadcast Centre and sent live to the TOC. Those featured in the market opening move into position for the market open ceremony at approximately 9:27 a.m. and the markets will open with the sound of a siren (the traditional market open on Toronto Stock Exchange) at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS Allstream)
MTS Allstream is one of Canada's leading national communication solutions companies, providing innovative communications for the way Canadians live and work today. The Company has more than 100 years of experience, with 5,500 employees across Canada. MTS Allstream's business is dynamic and consists of two operating divisions.  In Manitoba, MTS is the leading full-service telecommunications provider for residential and business customers. MTS's suite of services include the latest in wireless technology, broadband services, IPTV, voice services, home security, and an extensive range of business solutions. Across Canada, Allstream is a leader in IP communications and is the only national provider that focuses exclusively on the business telecommunications market. MTS Allstream has nearly two million customer connections spanning business customers across Canada and residential consumers throughout the province of Manitoba. The Company's extensive national fibre optic network spans more than 30,000 kilometres. MTS Allstream has spent 11 consecutive years on the Jantzi Social Index for leadership in social responsibility and is the recipient of the 2011 Governance Gavel Award from the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance, recognizing clear and effective public disclosure and leading governance practices. MTS Allstream's common shares are listed on the TSX (trading symbol: MBT).  Customers, stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream are encouraged to visit: www.mtsallstream.com.  For more information about MTS's products and services, please visit www.mts.ca. For more information about Allstream's products and services, please visit www.allstream.com.

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.

For further information:

Media:       
Jessica Poitras
MTS Allstream Corporate Communications
[phone]
[e-mail]   

Investors:   
Paul Peters
MTS Allstream Investor Relations
[phone]
[e-mail]