Stock Symbol: MBT
WINNIPEG, Dec. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. ("MTS" or
"the Company") today announced plans to design and build a commercial,
multi-tenant data centre in Manitoba. The $50-million facility is
expected to open in 2015, positioning MTS to become a leading provider
of server colocation, managed hosting and cloud services in Manitoba.
"Our business customers are increasingly using cloud computing to store
and process ever-expanding amounts of data," said Manitoba Telecom
Services Inc. Chief Executive Officer Pierre Blouin. "With this
state-of-the-art data centre, MTS will be able to deliver world-class
solutions to Manitoba businesses, fulfilling an important and growing
business need."
MTS's new data centre is designed to serve multiple businesses and allow
for future expansion. The data centre will be approximately 70,000 ft2 in size, designed to meet the highest industry standards in security and
reliability, and qualify for Uptime Institute's Tier III certification.
It will be the only custom-built commercial data centre of this size in
Manitoba, enabling customers to securely host IT equipment.
As the leading telecom services provider in Manitoba, MTS is positioned
to deliver a full range of high-quality connectivity services to
customers locating their critical IT infrastructure in the data centre.
The Company plans to leverage Manitoba's cooler climate, lower real
estate costs, and supply of clean, economical power to offer customers
a cost-effective data storage solution.
"With the only data centre like this in Manitoba, MTS customers can be
assured that their IT infrastructure will operate reliably and
securely, and that their important data will stay safely within our
province," added Mr. Blouin. "This is an exciting opportunity that is
expected to provide growth, is in demand by our current business
customers and represents a logical extension of our existing telecom
services."
Today's announcement represents MTS's second significant expansion into
the IT space, following the acquisition of Winnipeg-based EPIC
Information Solutions earlier this year. EPIC Information Solutions
will provide the skills and expertise needed to effectively operate the
new data centre.
Construction of the new data centre is scheduled to begin in 2014, with
plans to be fully operational in 2015. The impact of this project on
the Company's 2014 financial results is not expected to be significant
and is not expected to change the Company's 2014 Outlook previously
announced on November 7, 2013.
About MTS
MTS is the leading full-service communications provider for residential
and business customers in Manitoba. The company's suite of products and
services include the latest in wireless technology, high-speed
Internet, an award-winning IPTV service, voice services, home security,
and an extensive range of business solutions. A technology leader, MTS
operates advanced wireless networks delivering the best coverage for
Manitobans with its 4G, CDMA and Wi-Fi wireless networks and is
investing to build out its extensive fibre-to-the-home network in over
20 Manitoba communities. MTS's momentum is fuelled by the knowledge,
skills and spirit of its 3,000 Manitoba-based employees. With over 100
years of operations, MTS is rooted firmly in the community and is a
proud sponsor of the MTS Centre, home to the NHL's Winnipeg Jets. MTS
is wholly owned by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. which is listed on
the TSX (trading symbol: MBT). For information on MTS's products and
services, please visit www.mts.ca.
Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer
This news release includes forward-looking statements and information
(collectively, the "statements") about the Company's corporate
direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives and
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 or
projection in such forward-looking statements. Therefore,
forward-looking statements should be considered carefully and undue
reliance should not be placed on them. 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 "Material assumptions" section, and the "Risks and
uncertainties" section, in the Company's 2012 Annual MD&A and 2012
Annual Information Form, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Please note that forward-looking statements reflect Management's
expectations as at the date hereof. The Company disclaims 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.
SOURCE MTS Allstream
