Manitoba Telecom Services

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Manitoba Telecom Services TSX: [MBT], or MTS, (formerly Manitoba Telephone System) is the primary telecommunications carrier in the Canadian province of Manitoba and the third largest telecommunications provider in Canada with 7000 employees. It provides local and long-distance phone services, television service, and wireless services including digital PCS, cellular, and paging. In 2004, MTS acquired Allstream.

MTS is the descendant company of Manitoba Government Telephones which went into operation in January 1908. The Crown corporation eventually absorbed all private telephone operations in the province. In 1996, the Provincial government of Premier Gary Filmon decided to sell the Manitoba Telephone System to private shareholders. The decision to privatize was seen as controversial, as it marked a significant departure from the Progressive Conservatives' earlier position that MTS should remain provincially-owned.

On December 7, 2005, former BCE executive Pierre Blouin was named Chief Executive Officer of Manitoba Telecom Services and of MTS Allstream, replacing longtime CEO Bill Fraser.

On December 10, 2003 MTS bought the naming rights for the True North Centre, making it the company's single largest advertising expenditure. The entertainment, sports and performing-arts facility is now known as the MTS Centre.

The company's head office is located in MTS Place on Main Street, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

External links

• [MTS website]
• [Manitoba Historical Society - Early history of the telephone system of Manitoba]

References