(Telecompaper) Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS) shareholders have approved BCE's plans to acquire MTS. The transaction still needs to clear a few more regulatory hurdles but is expected to close on schedule, either in late 2016 or early 2017. BCE (Bell) welcomed the decision said, saying the companies' combined operations in Manitoba will be known as Bell MTS, and Winnipeg will become Bell's Western Canada headquarters. When the deal closes, Bell said it will invest CAD 1 billion over five years into expanding broadband wireless and fibre communications services in Manitoba.