[*] [Fwd: MTS Allstream applies for local deregulation in Winnipeg]

[John Lange]

-------- Forwarded Message --------

> MTS Allstream applies for local deregulation in Winnipeg
> 
> 
> 	    Stock Symbol: MBT
> 
> 	    WINNIPEG, May 8 /CNW/ - MTS Allstream today announced that it has applied
> to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission ("CRTC")
> for local residential phone service deregulation, known as forbearance, in
> Winnipeg.
> 	    As part of the application, MTS Allstream included evidence clearly
> demonstrating the necessary competitor presence and indicating the company's
> intention to achieve the requisite Quality of Service (QoS) metrics, as
> required by the federal government's recent Order in Council (OIC) setting the
> rules for local forbearance.
> 	    "The competitive landscape in Winnipeg's telecom market is robust and
> well-established. Forbearance will bring the full benefits of a competitive
> market to our customers," said Chris Peirce, Chief Regulatory Officer MTS
> Allstream. "It is important to note that in our application, unlike most of
> those filed to date by the other incumbents, we have clearly satisfied the
> evidentiary burden placed upon those seeking forbearance by the OIC relating
> to competitor presence and have indicated our intention to do so shortly with
> respect to QoS."
> 	    New regulations came into effect in early April, 2007 which allow
> incumbent telecommunications carriers to apply to the CRTC for local phone
> deregulation in the consumer market for any community where customers can
> choose between at least three service providers with their own network
> infrastructure, one of which can be a wireless provider, and where they meet
> specific Quality of Service measures for six months.