WINNIPEG - Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. reported a sharp jump in first-quarter profits on Thursday and praised recent moves by Ottawa to level the playing field for Canada’s smaller wireless players.

The Winnipeg-based telecommunications (TSX:MBT) company posted net earnings of $53.1 million, or 80 cents per share, up from $43.4 million, or 67 cents, in the same 2011 period.
Revenue slid to $435.1 million from $439.3 million.