News

Allstream SIP Trunking service now available via the Internet

Jonathan Sarumugam — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:27:47 GMT

TORONTO, ON, February 16, 2012 – 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.

About Allstream
Allstream is Canada’s all-business communications provider, focusing and delivering on the business customer’s solutions. For more information on Allstream services and solutions, please visit our new and improved website at www.allstream.com.

Allstream is a division of MTS Allstream Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. As one of Canada's leading national communication solutions companies, MTS Allstream provides innovative communications for the way Canadians want to live and work today. The Company has more than 100 years of experience, with 5,500 employees across Canada dedicated to a mission of delivering true value as seen through the eyes of our customers. MTS Allstream has nearly two million total customer connections spanning business customers across Canada and residential consumers throughout the province of Manitoba. The Company's extensive national broadband and fibre optic network spans almost 30,000 kilometres. Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s common shares are listed on Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). Customers, stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream are encouraged to visit: www.mtsallstream.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.

Global Relay Brings Bicycle Racing Back to Gastown for 2012 and Beyond

Jonathan Sarumugam — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:46:22 GMT

Vancouver, BC – January 27, 2012 — Global Relay, a Gastown-based technology firm, today announced a multi-year commitment to bring back the Gastown Grand Prix, (formerly the Tour de Gastown) as Title Sponsor. Wednesday, July 11^th, 2012 will mark the revival of this prestigious professional cycling race, which has not been held since 2008.

The event, now named the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix, is a Pro.1/2 Criterium cycling race where male and female riders complete 30 to 50 laps around a 1.2km circuit, reaching speeds of up to 70km/h. The Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix is proudly supported by Presenting Partner Allstream, Canada’s all-business communications provider, as well as the Gastown Business Improvement Society.

The race will attract elite teams and independent riders at the Pro-Am level from across North America and around the world. Past winners include stars of the cycling world such as the last winners of the event Andrew Pinfold, Gina Grain (2008), as well as internationally renowned riders Lance Armstrong and Alison Sydor (1991).

Race routing for the 2012 event will remain similar to that of previous years, with the course looping around Gastown and the start/finish line situated at the corner of Cambie and Water Streets. The Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix will be free for spectators and promises an exhilarating experience for cycling fans.

The Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix is a part of BC Superweek — a series of several independent events that happen annually around the second week of July in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, including the Tour de Delta, UBC Grand Prix, Giro di Burnaby and Tour de White Rock.

“The announcement of the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix is fantastic news for the cycling community and for fans of the sport as it joins the BC Superweek series,” said Mark Ernsting, Race Director. “Gastown has gone without a pro cycling event for several years due to a lack of sponsorship, and now Global Relay is stepping in to fill that gap.”

The Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix continues a rich tradition of professional cycling in Gastown. Since its inaugural year in 1973, the race has become one of Canada’s best-loved professional cycling events thanks to its challenging course, long history and historic location.

This community event will be coordinated with the help of many talented volunteers. Those interested in getting involved can visit globalrelayggp.org/get-involved/volunteer/

With its headquarters at 220 Cambie Street, Global Relay has been a part of the Gastown community since its founding in 1999. By committing to sponsorship of this event from 2012 and beyond, the company aims to make a lasting contribution to Gastown residents and business, and to the cycling community.

The Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix is presented with the generous support of the Gastown Business Improvement Area.

About Global Relay

Founded in 1999, Global Relay is a Gastown-based technology company that provides the worldwide financial industry with software-as-a-service solutions for compliance archiving and messaging.

Global Relay Archive securely captures and preserves email, instant messaging, BlackBerry®, Bloomberg®, Thomson Reuters®, social media and more for regulatory compliance. Users have easy access to messages via smartphones, tablets, Outlook or web browser. Global Relay Message, delivered via cloud computing, provides businesses with the tools to communicate and collaborate while staying compliant — anytime, anywhere.

Global Relay’s 15,000 customers in 90 countries include broker-dealers, hedge funds, investment advisors and public companies, as well as 22 of the top 25 global banks. Global Relay has offices worldwide, including Vancouver, New York, Chicago, London and Singapore.

Allstream’s IP fibre network expansion program continues to generate strong IP sales momentum throughout the fourth quarter

Jonathan Sarumugam — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:23:15 GMT

TORONTO, ON, January 25 2012 – MTS Allstream today said that its focus on expanding its IP fibre network into targeted markets across Canada continued to generate strong new sales wins with 46 new IP contracts signed in the fourth quarter of 2011.

“Our sales progress speaks to the continued popularity of IP-based services in the business telecommunications market in Canada,” said Dean Prevost, President, Allstream. “We look forward to transitioning into the New Year with the same momentum.”

In support of its objectives of winning high-margin on-net business and driving growth in IP services, Allstream is expanding its IP fibre access into buildings across Canada. Allstream has connected 299 buildings since the beginning of 2011, including 75 in the fourth quarter, bringing Allstream’s total number of fibre-fed building’s to 2,388 as of December 31, 2011.

Some of the customers that signed contracts to connect to Allstream’s 30,000 kilometre IP fibre network in the fourth quarter of 2011 include Ad knowledge, Caltech Surveys, TEOPS Canada Corporation, dys architecture, Trispec Communications, Heathbridge Capital Management, Vivonet Canada, IBI Group, Voyer Marketing & Associés and World Trade Group (North America).

Allstream positioned in the Niche Quadrant of the Magic Quadrant for MSSPs, North America

Jonathan Sarumugam — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:27:23 GMT

Toronto, ON, December 13, 2011 –Allstream today announced that it has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the Niche quadrant of the “Magic Quadrant for MSSPs (Managed Security Services Provider), North America.” The Magic Quadrant provides a graphical representation of the competitive positioning of selected technology providers, within a particular market segment; leader, challenger, visionary and niche player. Gartner evaluates each company based on its ability to execute and completeness of vision within its respective category.

Allstream’s multifunction firewall capabilities and device management services are offered in combination with a larger portfolio of Managed Services and network integrated capabilities. In partnership with Dell SecureWorks, Allstream offers a complete range of advanced MSS services to its customers.

“We believe Allstream’s inclusion on the Gartner MSSP Magic Quadrant reflects our market position where we compete as a Communications Service Provider focused on enabling Canadian businesses to connect with confidence,” said Mike LaPalme, Director, Product Marketing and Management, Managed Services, Allstream. “Our partnership with Dell SecureWorks extends that position and leverages the strengths of a Gartner MSSP Magic Quadrant leader which in turn provides our customers with the very best security for their networks.”

Complete with built-in security capability, Allstream’s national IP network enables a full suite of connectivity and security services that simplify security management, boost organizational productivity and lower total cost of overhead; enhancing the customer experience and reducing downtime.

To view a complimentary copy of the complete “Magic Quadrant for MSSPs, North America” report, please visit www.allstream.com/mssp-report.

Allstream a hit at 2011 enterprise communications and solutions show

Jonathan Sarumugam — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:51:57 GMT

TORONTO, ON, November 29, 2011 – Allstream continues to position itself as a leading provider of SIP Trunking services. As part of a broader portfolio of IP-based networking services, 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.

Using Allstream’s SIP Trunking and MPLS based Business IP networking services, in conjunction with Avaya’s state of the art Unified Communications platform, Allstream is able to deliver increased network productivity, simplified network infrastructure and cost savings to its customers. Allstream has been offering SIP Trunking since 2006, but only recently has SIP Trunking initiated widespread adoption amongst the business community. As experts in this arena, Allstream is well positioned to create an innovative and customized solution for businesses of all sizes.

Allstream recently participated in Avaya Evolutions 2011 – one of the largest enterprise communications and solutions shows of the year.

“We had an excellent session, with standing room only. It just shows the extent to which people are tuning into SIP Trunking as an enabler to unleash the power of Unified Communications – taking efficiency and reliability of customer networks to a new level while at the same time, reducing costs. It’s an extremely powerful value proposition,” said Grant Bykowy, Director, IP & Voice Communications Product Marketing and Management, Allstream.

Allstream also continues to make strong progress executing its Internet Protocol (IP) strategy with significant sales in the mid-market. Some of the customers that recently signed contracts to take advantage of Allstream’s suite of IP connectivity services include Interchange Solutions, YMCA Canada, RPI Consulting Group and Knowledge First Financial.

Allstream’s strong progress in the IP market is in keeping with the company’s focus on IP sales and the accelerated expansion of its fibre network in major urban centres across Canada. IP-based communications services are one of the fastest growing segments of the business telecom market.