Our Company

MTS Allstream Inc. and its parent company Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. ("MTS") have a distinguished heritage of innovation and development that spans nearly a century. In this historical timeline, we trace the roots of our predecessor companies, chronicling their achievements through generations of developments in technology, regulation and competition in the Canadian telecommunications industry. This, we believe, presents a portrait of sustainable success that will serve us well for the future.

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1846 Montreal & Toronto Magnetic Telegraph Company organized by the Montreal Board of Trade. 1877 First telephones installed in Winnipeg. 1881 Montreal Telegraph Company purchased by Canadian Northern Railway, which later becomes the government-owned Canadian National Telegraph (CNT). 1886 First telegraph message transmitted across Canada by Canadian Pacific Telegraph (CPT). 1908 Manitoba Government purchases the Bell Telephone operations to create “Manitoba Government Telephones” as a tool for economic development. 1921 Manitoba Government Telephones changes its name to Manitoba Telephone System (“MTS”). 1931 Trans-Canada Telephone System formed, which would ultimately become the Stentor Alliance. 1947 CNT and CPT combine their operations in private-line services to provide businesses with private telecommunications networks. 1956 CNT and CPT jointly introduce the first Telex network, a very early type of telephone machine/network system, in North America. 1964 CNT and CPT complete coast-to-coast analog microwave network. 1967 CNT and CPT jointly introduce Broadband Exchange service, the first Canadian network capable of handling switched voice or high-speed data transmissions. 1974 CNT and CPT introduce video display units linked to mini-computers to speed up the processing of telegrams. 1980 CNCP Telecommunications established by merger of Canadian National Telegraph (CNT) and Canadian Pacific Telegraph (CPT). 1984 CNCP begins to install a nationwide fibre-optic transmission system. 1988 MTS launches “Service for the Future” program - $620 million enhancement to create individual line service throughout the province, digital switching, larger toll-free calling areas and the launch of a Special Needs Centre for customers with disabilities. MTS enters wireless business. CNCP Communications develops the first dedicated facsimile network in the world – FacsRoute. 1989 Rogers Communications acquires 40 per cent of CNCP. 1990 CNCP Communications changes its name to Unitel Communications – the first provider to offer a virtual private voice network, called VRoute. 1992 Unitel Communications breaks 112-year monopoly in public long distance voice communications and launches its first residential long-distance services. Telecom competition begins in long distance business following CRTC rulings. 1993 AT&T Corporation buys a 20 per cent interest in Unitel Communications, Canadian Pacific holds 48 per cent and Rogers Communications holds 32 per cent. 1994 MTS comes under CRTC regulation. 1995 MTS wins major contract from the Manitoba Government to supply a high-speed Asynchronous Transfer Mode backbone network, which serves as an early platform for MTS Internet service and the information highway of the future. MTS completes Service for the Future program. 1996 MTS reorganized into holding company and four subsidiaries. MTS provides network and equipment to route new E-911 service to new provincial emergency call centre in Brandon, Manitoba. Unitel changes its name to AT&T Canada Long Distance Services – the first company in Canada to support Frame Relay/ATM internetworking. 1997 On January 7, Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. debuts on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the trading symbol of MBT. The public can buy shares for $13 per common share. “Flood of the Century” strikes southern Manitoba. MTS employees swing into action – no major outages. 1998 CRTC implements price-cap regulation for Canadian ILECs; MTS acquires AAA Alarms. Also begins to acquire majority of dial-up Internet providers. Supported by a major contract with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police MTS builds a province-wide FleetNet 800 group communications service, one of the most advanced in the world. MTS acquires AAA Alarm Services Ltd, a leading Winnipeg home and residential security company. 1999 MTS announces a strategic alliance with Bell Canada, and leads the launch of Intrigna (latterly called Bell Intrigna) in Western Canada (June). The company is a joint partnership with Bell Canada, serving business markets in Western Canada. MTS supports the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg as First Partner and exclusive telecommunications supplier. MTS launches High Speed Internet service in Winnipeg and Brandon. MTS launches wireless data services in Winnipeg. AT&T Canada formed from the merger of MetroNet, AT&T Canada Long Distance Services, Netcom Canada and ACC TelEnterprises. 2000 MTS launches “NexGen” $300 million, three-year network build-out to develop most advanced incumbent network in Canada. There were 45 communities receiving high-speed Internet in the first year. MTS officially opens new downtown corporate head office at the historic intersection of Portage and Main in Winnipeg. AT&T Canada purchases DMC, a leader in delivering e-commerce and Internet solutions. 2001 MTS launches $50 million expansion to extend digital PCS service across 50 new central and southern Manitoba communities over the next two years. AT&T Canada purchases Montage eIntegration Inc. and combines it with DMC to create MONTAGE.DMC eBusiness Services – Canada’s largest provider focused exclusively on eIntegration services. 2003 MTS launches 1xRTT digital wireless service in Manitoba MTS signs naming rights agreement with MTS Centre, a new 15,000 seat arena in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. AT&T Canada is re-branded as Allstream - a fully independent leading communication solutions provider committed to being an innovative, responsive and agile partner to customers, delivering business solutions to meet their unique needs. 2004 MTS (Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.) completes acquisition of Allstream for $1.7 billion, creating Canada’s third largest national communication solutions provider and Canada’s leading national competitor. MTS Allstream is created, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services. MTS and Bell end alliance relationship. MTS launches MTS TV, the first competitive telco TV service to succeed commercially in North America. Allstream becomes the first communication solutions provider in Canada to market a network resident IP telephony service on a national basis. 2005 Pierre Blouin is named Chief Executive Officer of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. 2006 MTS Allstream completes its comprehensive strategic business review and announces comprehensive strategy which includes the launch of two new segments – the national small and medium-sized business market, and a $320 million share buyback. MTS Allstream completes the sale of its directory publishing business to Yellow Pages Group to focus on core opportunities in Telecom Markets. MTS Allstream launches High-Definition Television for its MTS TV service. Our Consumer Markets division also continues to lead in telco TV with the launch of innovative services like “Email on Demand” and “Photos on Demand.” MTS Allstream introduces EV-DO high speed wireless service in Winnipeg and Brandon. MTS Allstream launches the first in a growing series of Wi-Fi hotspots in partnership with FatPort. MTS Allstream launches its IP Trunking service, becoming the first Canadian service provider to offer the service on a national basis, and operating the only MPLS network that has enabled IP Trunking. MTS Allstream reorganizes company to align with customers segments, creating the Consumer Markets division and Enterprise Solutions division. MTS Allstream Inc. acquires all of the issued and outstanding shares of Delphi Solutions Corp. for approximately $15 million cash.