TORONTO – Rogers Communications on Wednesday launched 5G service for its customers in tunnels and stations in the core parts of Toronto’s TTC subway system.
Rogers says in a press release it also upgraded the cellular network, “providing all riders with more reliable access to 911 service in these areas as part of its phased network upgrade and expansion work.”
Starting Wednesday, Rogers customers can talk, text and stream on Rogers 5G in all the stations and tunnels in the TTC subway system’s “Downtown U,” plus the tunnels between St. George and Yonge stations. In addition, Rogers customers will be able to access Rogers 5G in the Spadina and Dupont stations on the subway’s Line 1 and in 13 stations on Line 2 from Keele to Castle Frank.
“Toronto is a world-class city and TTC riders deserve a transit system with world-class cellular service,” said Tony Staffieri, Rogers president and CEO, in the release. “That’s why Rogers stepped up to do what’s right for Toronto transit riders. We’re working hard to modernize and expand the network so all riders can reliably access 911 and connect to 5G everywhere across the subway system, including underground. Today is an important milestone, and we’re just getting started.”
Rogers acquired the TTC’s former mobile network operator, BAI Communications, in April of this year. At that time, Freedom Mobile was the only wireless carrier that had signed up to provide service to its customers on the TTC subway system.
“Since acquiring BAI Canada just a few months ago, Rogers has been working closely with the TTC to upgrade the legacy cellular infrastructure to support all wireless operators in Toronto, while continuing to provide service to Freedom Mobile customers. Rogers is modernizing the wireless network with fibre, new radio equipment and more spectrum bands to provide 5G connectivity and improve the quality of the 3G/4G network,” reads Rogers’ press release today.
Rogers says it is investing “hundreds of millions to roll out 5G connectivity and 911 access across all 75 subway stations and nearly 80 kilometres of track. Today, TTC riders with any mobile provider can call 911 only where the cellular network exists — on station platforms, concourses, and approximately 25% of the tunnels.”
The previous wireless network on the TTC subway system could not handle text, voice and data traffic from the major carriers, according to Rogers’ release.
Image supplied by Rogers.
