WINNIPEG, MB, October 14, 2008 – MTS is pleased to announce that it has been named one of Manitoba’s Top 20 Employers for 2009. This special designation recognizes Manitoba employers that lead in their respective industries in offering exceptional places to work with the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

Employers are evaluated on eight criteria: physical workplace, work atmosphere and social, health, financial and family benefits, vacation and time off, employee communications, performance management, training and skills development, and community involvement.

"MTS is proud to achieve this mark of distinction as we celebrate our second century of connecting Canadians this year. There are many top businesses in Manitoba and it’s an honour to be recognized among the province's 20 best," said Pierre Blouin, CEO, MTS Allstream. “This recognition highlights our commitment to telecommunications excellence and the importance of our employees to succeed in a challenging and high-technology industry.”

The company recognizes employee engagement as a critical business success factor. As part of this approach, a multi-faceted strategy has been implemented to measure employee opinions about the work environment, set measurable goals to improve engagement and customer service, and ensure continuous improvement on an ongoing basis.

“Our long-term goal is to foster a work environment of continuous learning and career growth and ensure that our corporate values – courage, empathy, commitment and passion – are the DNA of our organization,” said Aliana Rozenek, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTS Allstream. “Our employees are team-oriented individuals, people with an appetite for the excitement and constant change of the telecommunications industry. Our objective is to provide a work environment that promotes creativity and allows people to think and act beyond the ordinary.”

In addition to being a strong leader in a competitive industry, the company has a positive economic impact in Manitoba. Not only is it, home to 3,000 employees, but it has the number one market share in all telecommunications products, generates $180 million in salaries in Manitoba each year and its operations in Manitoba contribute approximately $1 billion to the gross domestic product on an annual basis.

For more information on employment opportunities at MTS Allstream, go to www.mtsallstream.com/careers.

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 Allstream 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 - IP connectivity, unified communications, IT consulting and security services, and 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 in select markets 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 TorontoStock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). For more information, please visit: www.mtsallstream.com www.mtsallstream.com.

For more information, please contact:

Jill Gibson
Corporate Communications Coordinator
(204) 958-3392
media.relations@mtsallstream.com

FRANCAIS