MTS Ramps Up Speed on Wireless Data Services; Speeds up to 56K on Wireless Internet and Digital Data to Go using wireless data optimization technology.

Business Editors

HOLMDEL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2001

Two of MTS's wireless data services have gained a burst of speed following MTS's installation of wireless data compression technology from Flash Networks.

As a result, MTS customers who use WirelessNet and Digital Data to Go(TM) on their laptops for wireless connection to the Internet and their corporate LANs, will be able to upload and download files at speeds averaging 56Kbps (56,000 bits per second). This can mean speeds up to four times faster than current speeds.

"Data compression is a real value-added service for our WirelessNet and Digital Data to Go customers, and puts us in the lead for speed among our competitors in Manitoba for wireless data services," says Roger Ballance, Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, MTS Communications Inc. "With speeds now approaching dial-up Internet service, mobile customers will be able to send and receive information from the head office and download files from the Internet much more quickly, leading to greater efficiencies while away from the office."

The NettGain(TM) 1100 optimization software resides on the customer's laptop and connects to a central server managed by MTS. The software compresses non-essential programming data on files so they can be sent or received in a shorter time. Users can also select to block data-heavy video, audio or wave files, to access information even faster.

"We are pleased that MTS has selected our technology to enhance some of their wireless data service capabilities," said P.K. Prasanna, President and Chief Operating Officer of Flash Networks, Inc. "NettGain performance enhancements dramatically improve wireless data access speeds, and MTS customers will reap the benefits of these improvements."

WirelessNet is a CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) service, in which a wireless modem card is inserted into a laptop; the current speed is 19.2Kbps. The speed for Digital Data to Go, where a digital cell phone is connected to a laptop, is 14.4Kbps. With effective speeds averaging 56Kbps, NettGain optimization results in up to a four-fold increase in speed. There is no extra charge for data compression for MTS WirelessNet customers. As part of a launch promotion extending to the end of the year, data compression will be offered free of charge on MTS's Digital Data to Go service, after which it will cost $9.95 a month.

About Flash Networks

Flash Networks (www.flashnetworks.com) develops and markets infrastructure products to accelerate TCP/IP applications over wireless data networks, enabling dramatic improvements in network capacity and performance. The NettGain product portfolio, available as a client/server or clientless solution, supports a wide range of architectures, wireless infrastructures and client devices including Windows, Windows CE, Handhelds and PDAs. Its unique technologies, including protocol acceleration, compression and application-specific enhancements, provide a competitive advantage to carrier and enterprise implementers of wireless solutions. Flash customers include AT&T Wireless, AirCell, and Radiolinja among others.

About MTS

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. is Manitoba's preeminent, full-service telecommunications company. Seamlessly blending innovative solutions and world-class technology, MTS connects its customers to the world. Qunara Inc., MTS's eCommerce, eBusiness and Internet Data Centre subsidiary, provides business solutions across North America. MTS's majority-owned subsidiary, Bell Intrigna Inc., offers leading-edge telecommunications services, including next-generation IP-broadband services, to businesses in Alberta and British Columbia. MTS's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT).