In April, Rogers had acquired the Canadian operations of BAI Communications, which had owned the rights to provide wireless service on the Toronto subway
Canadian carrier Rogers Communications has announced that customers of major Canadian wireless operators can now connect to its 5G wireless network in the busiest sections of the Toronto subway system.
In a release, the operator said all subway riders can connect to its 5G network while in the Line 1 stations and tunnels in the so-called “Downtown U” from Union Station north to St. George and Bloor-Yonge, plus Spadina and Dupont stations. The area encompasses all of the subway stops in Toronto’s downtown area.
Users are now also able to access the network in 13 stations on Line 2, along Bloor Street from Keele to Castle Frank, plus the tunnels between St. George and Yonge stations.
“We are very pleased to bring 5G connectivity to all subway riders,” said Tony Staffieri, president and CEO at Rogers. “Our team has been working around the clock to introduce an immediate solution so all riders can connect when travelling on the busiest sections of the TTC subway system.”
Ron McKenzie, chief technology and information officer at Rogers, said: “For over 10 years, subway riders have been without mobile phone services and the Rogers team is pleased to step up and make 5G a reality for all riders today.”
In April, Rogers had acquired the Canadian operations of BAI Communications, which had owned the rights to provide wireless service on the Toronto subway.
Rogers noted it had been working closely with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to upgrade the legacy cellular infrastructure to support all wireless operators in Toronto. Rogers also said it is modernizing the wireless network with fiber, new radio equipment and more spectrum bands to provide 5G connectivity and improve the quality of the 3G/4G network.
Rogers previously said that the 5G network build is expected to take approximately two years to complete. 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.
Local press reports stated that the provision of 5G services to all carriers comes after months of tense negotiations between Rogers and rivals operators Bell Canada and Telus over the best technical approach and the financial terms for the provision of 5G coverage.
The federal government had set a December 20 deadline for the carriers to negotiate commercial agreements to provide service on the subway over the long term.
In April, Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications announced the completion of their proposed merger after receiving final regulatory approval from the Canadian government.
As part of the commitments included in the conditions for the approval of the transaction, Rogers said it will invest at least CAD2.5 billion (currently $1.84 billion) to enhance its 5G network in Western Canada and CAD3 billion in additional network service expansion projects.
