Change to Manitoba Hydro Telecom's business direction
Manitoba Hydro International would like to provide our telecommunication customers and suppliers with some important information concerning changes in the business direction for Manitoba Hydro Telecom (MHT), a division of Manitoba Hydro International. MHT's business direction will focus on providing telecommunication services that directly support the telecommunication business needs of its parent company, Manitoba Hydro, and the physical tower co-location and infrastructure access that Manitoba Hydro offers to various telecommunication industry participants.
In addition, the Province of Manitoba issued a request for proposal in July 2020 and subsequently entered into various agreements with Xplornet Communications Inc. (XCI) with the objective of improving broadband connectivity in Manitoba, particularly within rural, Indigenous, and remote communities. In support of this objective, Manitoba Hydro was directed to:
(i) grant XCI with limited access to certain Manitoba Hydro communication assets; and
(ii) to enter good faith negotiations regarding XCI assuming the management of certain MHT customer agreements.
In support of this direction, Manitoba Hydro International is in the process of reviewing its telecommunication contracts to identify certain contracts that are not aligned with MHT's business direction, and which may be assumed by XCI. In the near future, MHI will provide further communication with certain customers who may have such contract(s) and which XCI may assume the management thereof.
Lastly, MHI wants to reassure our customers that MHI will continue to meet its existing contractual obligations.
If you have questions, please contact Leanne Fernando, Telecommunications Department Manager, MHITelecomInquiries@hydro.mb.ca.
Yours truly,
Aurel Tess
Vice President and CFO
