SAINT JOHN, NB,Feb. 23 2001 --On Thursday, February 22, as part of
Family Volunteer Day in Canada, over 7,900 employees and retirees from Island
Tel, MTT, NBTel, NewTel, and other Aliant companies gathered 8,415 cans of
soup for local food banks. This massive appeal, called "Soup it Up Day", was
organized by the Aliant Pioneers, a non-profit volunteer organization that is
sponsored by Aliant.
    "We are proud of the sizeable contribution our Pioneers are making to
local food banks through their 'Soup it Up Day'. In fact, this campaign is
just another example of great projects being undertaken by our Pioneers," said
Frank Fagan, Senior Vice President Customer Services Aliant Telecom and
President NewTel. Mr. Fagan is also the nominated candidate for the position
of President of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
    "Our Pioneer organization carries out hundreds of projects every year and
it is a testament to their ongoing commitment towards the community and our
companies that they have pledged 150,000 volunteer hours in the International
Year of the Volunteer. I want to commend their outstanding efforts", said Mr.
Fagan.
    The Aliant Pioneers fall under the umbrella of the Telephone Pioneers of
America. Founded in 1911, 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. Each year, Pioneer members contribute millions of volunteer hours 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
    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.



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For further information: Nancy Coleman, Manager Community Relations,
NBTel, an Aliant company, Telephone: (506) 694-2973, 1 800 267-2057, e-mail:
nancy.coleman@aliant.ca