Manitoba Telecom Services

Manitoba Telecom Services

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (TSX: MBT), or MTS, formerly Manitoba Telephone System, is the primary telecommunications carrier in the Canadian province of Manitoba and the fourth largest telecommunications provider in Canada with 7000 employees. It provides local and long-distance phone services, television service, Internet service and wireless services including digital PCS, cellular, and paging. Manitoba Telecom Services is the publicly traded holding company; the operating subsidiary (which runs both the Manitoba operations and the national business communications provider Allstream) is named MTS Allstream Inc.

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.

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