National Bank and Microcell Partner to launch Wireless Financial Services

Microcell Solutions Inc., national provider of wireless communications services, and the National Bank of Canada (NBC) today jointly launched financial services available on Fido® handsets. Initially these services are offered to National Bank customers in the province of Quebec and in the Ottawa-Hull region. These customers may access the services from all areas served by Microcell's Personal Communications Services (PCS) network in Canada.

The new wireless financial services enable customers to check balances on bank accounts, lines of credit and credit cards, as well as to access their most recent bank account and credit card transactions. Customers can also be connected to the customer service departments of both the National Bank and MasterCard, all from a menu displayed on a Fido handset with an integrated user-friendly interface.

"This partnership with Microcell enables the National Bank to offer state-of-the-art services to its customers," said Mr. Jacques Grandmaison, Senior Vice-President, Electronic Networks and Cards, National Bank of Canada. "Customers will be able to access their financial information whenever they like, and according to their needs. This advance underscores our desire to innovate and constantly improve the quality of our products and services."

"With these new services, Microcell once again proves its commitment to offering its customers innovative services," stated Sean Dalton, Vice-President, Business Development, Microcell Solutions Inc. "Fido is a fully integrated and personalized communications tool that meets the communication needs of today's wireless users."

Trials of the new services, which were jointly developed by Microcell Solutions and the National Bank, began in November 1999. The services were very well received by users who appreciated, among other things, the speed of response and the ease of access.

Microcell Solutions Inc., national supplier of PCS under the Fido brand name, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microcell Telecommunications Inc. (TSE: MTI.B; Nasdaq: MICT). Fido Service is offered through the Company's digital PCS network, serving 53% of Canadians. At the end of December 1999, Microcell Solutions had a total of 584,487 customers. For more information, please see our Web sites: www.microcell.ca and www.fido.ca.

The National Bank is an integrated financial group whose mission is to provide comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its clients elsewhere in the world. Ranking sixth among Canada's chartered banks with assets now exceeding $70 billion, the National Bank employs over 17,000 people. www.nbc.ca.

Fido is a registered trademark of Microcell Solutions Inc.

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Source :

François Perreault
Opsis Communications & Marketing
(514) 393-8998

Information:

Microcell Telecommunications Inc.:
Lise Beauchemin : (514) 994-0184
beauchemin@fido.ca

National Bank of Canada:
Jean Robillard : (514) 394-6990
jean.robillard@bnc.ca