Rogers expects its acquisition of BAI Canada to close in the next two weeks
Canadian carrier Rogers Communications announced a plan to provide full 5G connectivity services to Toronto’s entire subway system, including access to 911 for all riders.
Rogers has entered into an agreement to acquire BAI Communications’ Canadian operations (BAI Canada), which has held the exclusive rights to build the Toronto Transit Commission’s wireless network since 2012. Rogers said it will now be able to undertake the investments required to build a comprehensive 5G network to the entire TTC subway system following the acquisition.
Today, TTC users with any mobile provider can call 911 only where the cellular network exists – on station platforms, concourses, and approximately 25% of the tunnels, the carrier said.
“Residents and visitors expect wireless connectivity when they’re travelling on the TTC’s subway system,” said Ron McKenzie, Rogers’ chief technology and information officer. “The agreement to acquire BAI Canada is a significant first step in modernizing and expanding the existing network to deliver enhanced 5G wireless service to millions of transit riders throughout the entire subway system in Canada’s largest city.”
Rogers also noted that the the 5G network build is expected to take approximately two years to complete. Together with the TTC, Rogers will work on a phased deployment plan, including network design, architecture and rollout logistics, for both network improvements and expansion in the stations, concourses and in all of the subway tunnels.
The carrier said that the project will require extensive fiber network and radio equipment upgrades are needed to modernize the existing network.
The planned 5G network will deliver wireless coverage with mobile voice and data services in all 75 stations and almost 80 kilometers of Toronto’s subway system, the telco said.
Rogers expects its acquisition of BAI Canada to close in the next two weeks.
Last week, Rogers said it has completed its merger with Shaw Communications after receiving final regulatory approval from the Canadian government.
As part of the conditions set by the government to approve the merger, Rogers committed to creating 3,000 new jobs in Western Canada and maintaining them for a minimum of 10 years after the closing date. The telco will also establish a headquarters in Calgary and will invest CAD1 billion ($743.5 million) to expand broadband Internet access, at speeds of at least 50/10 megabits per second and 5G mobile service in areas where it is not currently available;
Rogers also committed to invest at least CAD2.5 billion to enhance its 5G network in Western Canada and CAD3 billion in additional network service expansion projects.
Prior to the close of the Rogers-Shaw merger, Shaw sold Freedom Mobile to Videotron.
The Rogers-Shaw merger was initially announced on March 15, 2021.
In August 2022, Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Quebecor entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of Freedom Mobile to Videotron, a subsidiary of Quebecor. The involved parties also said that the sale of Freedom Mobile would pave the way for the establishment of a “strong fourth national wireless services provider”.
