TMX group

Service tailored for mid-market users

Stock Symbol:  MBT

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Allstream, a leading national provider of IP Connectivity services, today announced that its SIP Trunking service is now available via the Internet. Perfectly suited for mid-market users, this service is designed for businesses that rely primarily on dedicated Internet access for their network connectivity. Allstream SIP Trunking can be accessed over Internet connections from any Internet service provider (ISP), extending the reach of the service.

"In keeping with our strategy of focusing on the mid-market, we are pleased to extend our sophisticated SIP Trunking capabilities to facilitate the needs of our mid-market customers," said Dean Prevost, President, Allstream.

Allstream's SIP Trunking service allows businesses to run all data and voice traffic over a single IP backbone, eliminating the need for separate voice and data networks. When delivered over Allstream dedicated Internet access, Class of Service (CoS) marking is used to prioritize voice calls over data traffic; resulting in high quality voice calls that are free from latency and jitter.

Allstream continues to make strong progress executing its IP strategy with significant sales in the mid-market. Some of the customers that recently signed contracts to take advantage of Allstream's SIP Trunking service include Pivotal Corporation, Ahearn & Soper, SOCAN, Coastal Contacts and Creative Door Services. Allstream was the first national carrier to offer a SIP Trunking solution, as part of its commitment to bring Canadian businesses services that save them money.

Allstream
Allstream is a Canadian leader in IP communications and the only national communications provider that works exclusively with business customers of all sizes. With nearly 600,000 customer connections, Allstream's momentum is fuelled by the knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial spirit of its 2,500 employees across the country who collaborate with customers to determine their unique communications solutions needs. Supported by its more than 30,000 kilometre nationwide high-performance fibre-optic network, Allstream's broad portfolio of business solutions are built from an array of advanced communications technologies and services including a wide range of innovative, highly scalable IP-based solutions to help organizations communicate more efficiently and profitably. Allstream takes pride in its commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience, and has long been recognized by its technology partners for the contributions made to their businesses.  Allstream is wholly owned by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., which is listed on the TSX (trading symbol: MBT). For information on Allstream's products and solutions, 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.