Sammy Hughes, Canadian Press
Published on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 7:22am EDT
Last updated Wednesday, August 23, 2023 2:53 PM EDT
TORONTO – Rogers Communications Inc. has announced that its customers will not be able to access the core of Toronto’s downtown subway network despite an ongoing feud with other major carriers over access conditions for all transit users. has rolled out high-speed 5G wireless service.
The Toronto-based carrier said it has also upgraded its mobile phone network to ensure all subway riders can more reliably access 911 service in the same area.
Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri called the launch an important milestone.
“We are working hard to modernize and expand our network to ensure all riders have access to 911 and connectivity to 5G throughout the subway system, including the subways,” he said in a written statement. Ta.
As of Wednesday, Rogers customers will be able to connect to the company’s 5G network in much of the downtown core. Line 1 stations and tunnels north from Union Station to St. George Station and Bloor-Young Station, as well as Spadina Station and Dupont Station. 13 stations on his Line 2 between Kiel and Castle Frank stations and in the tunnel between St George and Yonge stations.
In April, Mr. Rogers acquired the Canadian operations of BAI Communications, which owned the rights to provide wireless service in the Toronto subway.
Rogers announced plans to build 5G capabilities across its entire network of stations and tunnels, upgrading existing infrastructure that already includes cellular capabilities in most downtown subway stations. The process is expected to take him two years.
The company has promised to work with rivals like Bell and Telus to make its upgraded systems available to other carriers, but rivals have expressed concerns about the company’s plans.
The federal government launched a consultation process last month to speed up negotiations between major carriers.
In a submission to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) earlier this month, Rogers said the department is considering preventing customers from providing initial access to the upgraded wireless network. opposed the choice.
He said it would be preferable for this issue to be decided through commercial negotiations.
In response to questions, Rogers did not specifically explain why he was launching the network for customers, even though negotiations had not yet resulted in an agreement.
Spokesman Cam Gordon pointed to a portion of the company’s ISED filing that accused Bell and Telus of “attempting to delay access for customers of other carriers.” The excerpt says that preventing Rogers from turning on the network for its own customers undermines “our shared goal of providing timely access to enhanced wireless service to all TTC passengers.” It is said that this will happen.
“Bell and Telus have shown no substantive interest in providing wireless service for more than a decade or raising public safety concerns about the TTC’s limited coverage,” Gordon said in a statement. Regardless, they have been playing games instead of negotiating on behalf of their customers.”
“We will continue to participate respectfully in the federal government’s consultation process.”
Mr. Rogers vowed that other carriers would also have access to the upgraded system to provide wireless coverage to their customers. This includes honoring BAI’s previous agreement with Freedom Mobile, now owned by Quebecor, the only carrier whose customers already have access to the network.
Both Bell and Telus are advocating co-building the subway’s 5G network using a consortium model similar to Montreal’s subway system, rather than a pay-per-access approach. Mr. Rogers has not publicly committed to either model.
In their submission to Ottawa, Mr. Bell and Mr. Tellas asked the government to prevent Rogers from offering its customers First Access on the TTC. The companies argued that Mr. Rogers needed to wait until all passengers could use the mobile network.
Bell spokeswoman Ellen Murphy said in a statement that Rogers “clearly continues to pursue his own interests at the expense of Torontonians and brazenly disrupts ongoing discussions led by (Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne).” I’m ignoring it.”
“Rogers’ decision also goes against the recommendations of a number of community groups, including the Toronto Women’s Abuse Council, CodeRed TO, the Toronto YWCA, and the Toronto Police Service. “This is a problem and we need to make sure it’s secure. We’ll make it available to everyone, regardless of carrier, as soon as possible,” Murphy said in a statement.
Telus spokesman Richard Gilhooley said the company is “outraged that Rogers has restricted access to internet connectivity on the TTC.”
“The TTC is a public service paid for by the people of Toronto, and everyone should have equal access to the connectivity and additional safety it provides,” he said in a statement.
“Rogers has shown a complete lack of cooperation regarding access for all passengers by refusing to meet with other carriers or grant roaming access.”
It’s unclear whether the federal government will continue to move to prevent Rogers from providing access to its own customers before other passengers. This means Rogers could potentially be asked to cancel the activation of its 5G network.
Gordon said disabling the upgraded network “will negate the enhancements we’ve made to improve access to 911 for all passengers.”
Speaking to reporters at a federal ministerial gathering in Prince Edward Island, Champagne dodged a question about whether he was concerned that Rogers had jumped the gun by pre-empting a final ruling in the consultation process. .
The decision is expected to be taken after an August 28 deadline for carriers to respond to each other’s submissions.
Champagne said he has an unspecified number of “tools in the toolbox” under the Telecommunications Act to ensure all TTC riders have access to wireless coverage.
“I assure you that we will take decisive steps to ensure that the various networks (telcos) are able to provide services to our users,” the minister said.
“We want everyone in Telus, Rogers and Bell to be able to provide service on the Toronto subway system. Whether it’s accessing 911 or calling your mom, you need to know who your provider is. You shouldn’t rely on it if you’re going to be late or if there’s a safety issue.”
TTC spokesman Stuart Green said the decision on when to launch cell phone service on the subway system is entirely up to Rogers.
“Absent a proclamation to the contrary, we cannot and will not stop them. There is nothing that we are aware of that would prevent this launch,” he said in an email.
TTC CEO Rick Leary called the move “an important milestone in Rogers’ efforts to bring modern high-speed connectivity to the TTC subway system.”
“TTC and Rogers staff worked hard to make this happen quickly, and we look forward to seeing all wireless carriers sign on to the network and complete construction.” Leary said. said in a statement.
Rogers said in its submission to Ottawa that forcing the company to delay the launch of the service until all passengers have access to the upgraded mobile phone network would “not be beneficial to consumers (Rogers customers or (including customers of other licensees) from accessing the TTC’s wireless services.” negotiating commercial terms in good faith), and improved 911 availability for all passengers. ”
The company noted that there are “legitimate technical constraints associated with other airline deployments” that will result in at least a four-week delay for competitors to install and test equipment on the TTC.
Shelagh Pizzey-Allen, executive director of the TTC Riders Advocacy Group, said she doesn’t buy Rogers’ claims.
“It’s hard to take that comment at face value when they have a clear financial interest in serving customers,” she says.
“It’s unfair that some people can’t access cell phone service. It’s a safety issue. It’s an accessibility issue. What’s important now is that everyone should be able to access the network, no matter who their provider is. It’s about being accessible.”
– With files from Mia Rabson in Charlottetown
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 23, 2023.
