Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2008 March 5, 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS CORPORATE STRUCTURE .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Name and incorporation ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 Intercorporate relationships.......................................................................................................................................................... 1 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS....................................................................................................................... 1 Acquisition of wireless spectrum ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Investment in broadband networks............................................................................................................................................... 2 100th year celebration ................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Initiatives to streamline business operation.................................................................................................................................. 3 Transition Phase II cost reduction program ............................................................................................................................. 3 Business review............................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Sale of non-core assets............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Share buyback program ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 Regulatory developments............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Deferral account....................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Wireless spectrum auction ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Competition policy review....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Essential facilities .................................................................................................................................................................... 5 New media and Internet traffic management practices (net neutrality) ................................................................................... 5 Wireless 911 Services.............................................................................................................................................................. 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS.............................................................................................................................................. 6 Corporate strategy ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Business segments........................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Wireless services...................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Data services............................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Local services .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Long distance services ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Other ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Employee relations..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Distribution channels.................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Property, plant and equipment and distribution arrangements ................................................................................................... 12 Environmental policy ................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Social responsibility ................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Risk factors................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Changes in competitive conditions ........................................................................................................................................ 14 Accelerated pricing pressure in legacy services..................................................................................................................... 15 AT&T relationship................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Bell Mobility agreement ........................................................................................................................................................ 15 Changes in CRTC regulation ................................................................................................................................................. 16 Pension solvency funding ...................................................................................................................................................... 16 Market conditions and economic fluctuations........................................................................................................................ 16 Collective agreements............................................................................................................................................................ 16 Rapid technological change and displacement....................................................................................................................... 16 Allstream Inc./Inukshuk/NR Communications venture ......................................................................................................... 17 INCOME TAXES........................................................................................................................................................................... 17 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS............................................................................................................................................................... 17 CAPITAL STRUCTURE ............................................................................................................................................................... 18 General description .................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Credit facilities........................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Credit ratings.............................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Share capital............................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Constraints.................................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Normal course issuer bids .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Dividend policy.........................................................................................................................................................................