Pioneers win International Awards at Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia

ST. JOHN'S, NF, Oct. 30 -- The 7900 Aliant Telephone Pioneers in
Atlantic Canada are celebrating almost 50 years of outstanding volunteer
service to build healthy communities in this region. Pioneer Week, which runs
from October 29 through November 4 is recognized in communities throughout
Canada, the United States, Mexico and Latin America.
    Pioneer Week is an opportunity for our communities and our companies to
recognize the unsung heroism of the Pioneer volunteers. Last year alone it is
estimated Pioneers dedicated over 125,000 hours to deliver programs like
Computers for Schools which refurbishes computers for use in the classroom;
Hug-a-Bears to provide comfort to children in crisis; and A Book About Me
presentations and readings to promote literacy in youth, to our communities.
In Canada, even the Trans Canada Trail Relay was possible thanks in large part
to the Pioneers who ran, organized and supported this national project.
    Frank Fagan, President NewTel and Senior Vice President Customer Services
Aliant Telecom, who was recently nominated as the candidate for the Presidency
of the Telephone Pioneers of America said, "We have much to celebrate this
week as Pioneers across Aliant have been very successful in carrying out their
programs. The Pioneers have seen changing environments within the Pioneer
organization and within Aliant in 2000. It is a true testament to their
ongoing commitment and civic duty that they continue to deliver solid programs
to our communities."
    The Aliant pioneer chapters, sponsored by NewTel (Newfoundland Chapter),
MTT and Island Tel (Acadia Chapter) and NBTel (New Brunswick Chapter) are
active volunteer organizations made up of current and former employees of the
Aliant organization. The Aliant Pioneers represent affiliate chapters of the
international organization- Telephone Pioneers of America (TPA)- the world's
largest industry-related volunteer organization with over 800,000 members.
    The Aliant Pioneers were recently recognized at the 75th Annual Meeting
of the TPA in Atlanta, Georgia where over 1600 volunteers from across North
America witnessed the presentation of eleven "Heart of Pioneering" awards to
the Aliant Pioneers. The Acadia Chapter was recognized with a Disability
Betterment Award for its Trikes for Tykes program which facilitates the
provision of specially modified tricycles for children who suffer from spina
bifida.
    "It is because of the contributions of our members who give thousands of
volunteer hours to projects that we are successful. The international awards
won in Atlanta further exemplify that the spirit of Pioneering, which is
fostered on the principles of service, loyalty and fellowship, is very much a
part of the Aliant organization.," said Mr. Fagan.
    "In addition to supporting our communities and the people who live in
them, Pioneers also contribute significantly to the Aliant organization
itself. Pioneers help us build solid relationships with our customers and
provide great support in rolling out our many programs throughout the Atlantic
region."
    "I congratulate the Pioneers on another great year of volunteer service
and for the strides you have made in improving the quality of life for all
people," said Mr. Fagan. "Our Aliant companies are proud sponsors of the
Pioneers and wish you all much continued success in the year to come."
    The Aliant group of advanced technology companies and its staff of 10,000
professionals deliver full-service, integrated solutions through its core
lines of business: wireline and wireless telecommunications, information
technology, remote communications services, and Internet-based business
solutions. From its base in Canada, Aliant serves North American and
International customers. For more information, visit Aliant at www.aliant.ca.
    Founded in 191l, the Telephone Pioneers of America is the world's largest
industry-related volunteer organization with approximately 800,000 members,
who are current and former employees of the telecommunications industry.
Members contributed over 18 million volunteer hours last year in the areas of
education, health and human services, environmental protection and
preservation, disaster relief, and life enrichment. For more information,
visit www.telephone-pioneers.org

                        International Awards Summary

    Newfoundland Chapter

    The Newfoundland Chapter received four Heart of Pioneering awards which
are given for meeting high standards of excellence in projects key to meeting
the strategic goals of the Telephone Pioneers of America Organization.

            -  Two awards were given for projects in the area of education.
               The first award was given for the Chapter's support of the
               A Book About Me project, in which 902 A Book About Me books
               were distributed to local schools. Chapter members were also
               recognized for their support to the Computers for Schools
               project, conducted in partnership with Industry Canada and
               Provisional Ministries of Education, for donating 1,972
               computers to low-income schools. Human service projects, which
               merited two other Heart of Pioneering awards, included the
               project Heart Pillows, a program in which Pioneers made and
               distributed 332 Heart Pillows to area hospitals to assist
               patients of open-heart surgery in their recovery. The final
               award was presented for the Hug-A-Bears project, in which
               Pioneers hand-made and distributed 560 stuffed bears to
               emergency services personnel to assist children traumatized by
               crises caused by fires, accidents, domestic violence, and
               other emergencies.

    Acadia Chapter (Sponsored by MTT and Island Tel)

            The Chapter received a total of five awards in Atlanta. Included
            were four Heart of Pioneering awards and a special Disability
            Betterment award.

            -  The Disability Betterment award, which included a cash award
               of $250US, was given by the National Organization for the
               Disabled and Allstate Insurance Company. The award recognized
               Acadia's outstanding Trikes for Tykes program which was
               designed to facilitate the availability of special tricycles
               for children who suffer from debilitating diseases such as
               spina bifida. By setting up a "lending library", Pioneers
               provide the specialized equipment, giving kids with
               disabilities the opportunity to play while improving motor
               skills.

            -  The Acadia Chapter also won four Heart of Pioneering awards.
               Two awards were given for projects in the area of education.
               The first was given for the Chapter's support of the Computers
               for Schools project, conducted in partnership with Industry
               Canada and Provisional Ministries of Education, for donating
               415 computers to low-income schools. Chapter members were also
               recognized for their support to Junior Achievement. Two human
               service projects also merited awards. One award was given to
               the Chapter for their work on Heart Pillows, a program where
               Pioneers made and delivered 1,264 Heart Pillows to area
               hospitals to assist patients of open-heart surgery in their
               recovery. A final award was presented for Hug-A-Bears, a
               project in which Pioneers hand-made and distributed 389
               stuffed bears for emergency services personnel to assist
               children traumatized by crises caused by fires, accidents,
               domestic violence, and other emergencies.

    New Brunswick Chapter

            The Chapter received a total of thee awards in Atlanta all in the
            Heart of Pioneering category.

            -  One award was given in the area of education for the Chapter's
               support of the Computers for Schools project, conducted in
               partnership with Industry Canada, where Pioneers donated 913
               computers to schools. Two awards were given in the area of
               human services. The first award was presented for the
               Hug-A-Bears project in which Pioneers hand-made and
               distributed more than 300 stuffed bears for emergency
               operations personnel to assist children traumatized by crises
               caused by fires, accidents, domestic violence, and other
               emergencies. The final award was given for Heart Pillows, a
               project in which Pioneers made and delivered 980 pillows to
               area hospitals to assist patients of open-heart surgery in
               their recovery.

    /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available
    on the Canadian Press Photo Network/



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For further information: Anna Peddle, Manager Community Relations,
NewTel, an Aliant company, Telephone (709) 739-2377, (709) 739-2845, e-mail:
apeddle@newtel.com; Communications and Public Affairs, Floor
3, Fort
William Building, P.O. Box 2110, St. John's, NF A1C 5H6