MTS Allstream Wins Unified Communications Partner of the Year in 2008 Microsoft Partner Program IMPACT Awards

    Stock Symbol: MBT

    TORONTO, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - MTS Allstream Inc. ("MTS Allstream") has been
selected as the winner in the Solutions Awards category at the 2008 Microsoft
Partner Program IMPACT Awards. The sixth annual IMPACT awards recognize
excellence across the large and diverse community of Microsoft's Canadian
technology partners. The winners were announced at a gala event in Toronto on
November 13, 2008.
    "As real leaders in their fields, technology partners like MTS Allstream
continue to help customers optimize their business performance," said Lora
Gernon, Senior Director, Partner Group, Microsoft Canada Co. "Our annual
IMPACT Awards celebrate top technology partners who have shown true passion
through their tremendous service to customers and innovative solutions."
    MTS Allstream was chosen as the winner in the Solutions Awards category
for delivering a market-leading customer solution built on Microsoft
technology. The Real-Time collaboration and Unified Communications solution
developed for the Healthcare Provider Industry is a comprehensive and
leading-edge platform. It unifies communication within an information portal,
converging access to email, instant messaging, voice, data, video and
conferencing, and providing seamless access to information via virtually any
electronic device.
    "We are pleased to have been chosen by Microsoft for this award," said
Eric Fletcher, Senior Vice President, Marketing, MTS Allstream. "Using MTS
Allstream solutions that leverage Microsoft Office System-based
communications, such as our Real-time Collaboration and Unified Communications
solutions, healthcare organizations are able to track staff effectively and
provide mobile workers with access virtually anywhere. It is these types of
solutions that are helping improve the quality of patient care in Canada."

    About the Microsoft Partner Program IMPACT Awards

    In 2003, Microsoft Canada replaced all of its previous technology partner
awards with a unified program that also recognizes customer service,
marketing, and contribution to the community. The IMPACT Awards include
categories that recognize top technology partners for excellence in four
categories: Solution Awards; Business Awards; Marketing Awards; and Community
& Initiative Awards.
    The Microsoft Partner Program IMPACT Awards are open to Systems
Integrators, Large Account Resellers, Direct Market Resellers, Value Added
Resellers, Distributors, Systems Builders, Authorized Education Resellers,
Certified Partners for Learning Solutions, Microsoft Certified Partners,
Independent Software Vendors, Channel Suppliers, Microsoft Business Solutions
(MBS) Partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers.
    For a list of all 2008 winners, and more information on the Microsoft for
Partner IMPACT Awards, please visit http://www.microsoft.ca/awards.

    About MTS Allstream

    MTS Allstream Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom
Services Inc., and is one of Canada's leading national communication solutions
providers, delivering innovative products and services through the Enterprise
Solutions and Consumer Markets divisions. The Enterprise Solutions division,
which operates under the Allstream brand nationally and under the MTS brand in
Manitoba, is a leading competitor in the national business and wholesale
markets. This division offers customers a portfolio of solutions tailored to
the needs of medium and large businesses looking for success in a world of
rapidly evolving technology - Internet protocol-based communications, unified
communications, voice and data connectivity services. The Consumer Markets
division leads every telecommunications market segment in Manitoba, delivering
a full suite of next generation wireless, high-speed Internet and data,
digital television and wireline voice services under the MTS brand, as well as
small business services across Canada under the Allstream brand, and security
and alarm monitoring services through AAA Alarm Systems Ltd., an affiliate of
MTS Allstream which also operates in other western provinces. MTS Allstream's
extensive national broadband fibre optic network spans more than 24,300
kilometres, and provides international connections through strategic alliances
and interconnection agreements with other international service providers.
Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock
Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). For more information, please visit:
www.mtsallstream.com.

For further information: Media: Greg Burch, Manager, Corporate
Communications, [phone], [phone],
[e-mail]; Investors: Ian Chadsey, Vice-President,
Investor Relations, [phone], [e-mail]; For
information on Microsoft for Partner IMPACT Awards only, please contact:
Chantelle Bernard, High Road Communications, [phone],
[e-mail]