page_title: Bell MTS
section_title: 1990s
hierarchical_section_title: Bell MTS / History / 1990s
caption_attribution_description: English: MTS Technician Van.
context_page_description: Bell MTS Inc. is a subsidiary of BCE Inc. that operates telecommunications services in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The company's head office is located in MTS Place at 333 Main Street, in Downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba.
  On March 17, 2017, Bell re-gained control of MTS after closing its $3.9 billion acquisition of the provider. For regulatory reasons, Bell will divest approximately a third of MTS's wireless business to Telus, and a smaller portion to the new entrant Xplornet. Under Bell ownership, BellMTS will serve as the headquarters of Bell's telecom businesses in Western Canada.
  Bell MTS is the naming rights holder of two venues in Winnipeg; Bell MTS Place and Bell MTS Iceplex.
context_section_description: 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.
  In January 1999, MTS partnered with Bell Canada to form Intrigna, a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) which was created to expand telecommunications options for the business market in Alberta and British Columbia. As part of the deal, Bell Canada gained 20% ownership of MTS. They set up a jointly operated office in Calgary. By the summer of 1999, fibre optic cable had been laid in Edmonton and Calgary, and later extended to Vancouver, British Columbia.
  In August 1999, MTS completed work on a new trunked (digital) radio system known as FleetNet 800, technology licensed from neighbouring SaskTel.
  In the Fall of 1999, MTS began to offer DSL high-speed Internet service in Winnipeg and Brandon, which later expanded to other areas of the province.
caption: MTS Technician van in Winnipeg
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