Concert venues, local retailers among those affected by Rogers outage. What you need to know

A widespread network outage from Rogers Communications has left many customers without mobile and internet service, as problems persist for police forces, courthouses, Service Canada passport offices and Interac.

A notice on Rogers’ website said the outage is impacting both its wireless and home service customers and is also affecting phone and chat support.

“Our technical teams are working hard to restore services as quickly as possible,” said Rogers spokesperson Zac Carreiro.

The outage disrupted services across retailers, courthouses, airlines, train networks, credit card processors and police forces, pushing many to delay business transactions, serve customers through analog means or even flock to coffee shops where they could find Wi-Fi.

Here is a list of services and programs currently affected by the widespread outage.

Service Canada, Ontario 

Service Canada tweeted it too was wrapped up in the outage with call centres and offices, including ones that issue passports, affected.

The outage exacerbates passport delays that have left Canadians outside Service Canada offices for lengthy periods as the government works through a backlog.

“Please note that the current Rogers outage is affecting some call centres and offices, including passport offices. We will update [on Twitter] once resolved. Thank you.”

RELATED: Toronto Police working on 911 connection due to Rogers outage

Service Ontario tweeted that it’s also experiencing issues at its call centres and other operations. “We apologize for any inconveniences,” a spokesperson said.

Customers in Toronto, Kitchener, Moncton, Ottawa and Mississauga logged the most reports, with 45 per cent saying they were experiencing a total blackout, 29 per cent seeing issues with mobile internet and 26 per cent facing landline internet problems.

Air Canada

The airline said it’s experiencing technical issues with its telephone service provider — this is in response to a passenger saying they couldn’t get through about their lost luggage and asked for help.

Other Twitter users have been taking to social media to say they haven’t been able to get through to the airline when they have questions about luggage and flights, to name a few.

A spokesperson for Toronto Pearson airport said it’s seeing “minor impacts” from the Rogers outage.

“This includes possible delays with fuel operations, and debit is not currently available in retail shops,” said Tori Gass with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA). “[There are] no other impacts to operations at this time.”

City of Toronto facilities, services

The City of Toronto said it’s experiencing various disruptions due to the nationwide wireless service and network outage.

Among them, the city says, include payment issues with “point-of-service card payments and some debit and credit payments at city facilities,” including golf courses, recreation centres, ferry docks and civic centres.

The city says some wading pools have not been able to open “as an operating cell phone is required onsite.” There is also a longer response time concerning forestry service calls.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding.”

Scotiabank Arena, Budweiser Stage and Rogers Centre

Rogers Centre announced that the first North American leg of The Weeknd’s tour was postponed on Friday as a result of the widespread outages “impacting venue operations.”

“Information on a new show date will be shared as soon as possible,” a Rogers spokesperson said. “All tickets will be honoured for the new date. We understand how disappointing this is and apologize for the inconvenience.”

Both Scotiabank Arena and Budweiser Stage issued separate statements on the Rogers outage.

A Scotiabank Arena representative recommended that those with mobile tickets please add the Roger Waters *This Is Not A Drill* tickets to an Apple Wallet on iPhone or Google Pay on Android.

“Please plan to arrive early as delays are expected. Note that the Scotiabank Arena box office will open at 5 p.m. today,” the rep said, noting that debit payments are currently unavailable.

“Credit Cards will be accepted for purchases, as we are a cash-free venue.”

???? TONIGHT ????

???? DOORS – 7:00PM
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— Scotiabank Arena (@ScotiabankArena) July 8, 2022

Doors open at 7 p.m. at Scotiabank Arena.

A spokesperson for Budweiser Stage in Toronto issued a similar statement ahead of Keith Urban’s concert, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Friday.

Those with mobile tickets should add the Keith Urban: The Speed of Now World Tour tickets to an Apple Wallet on iPhone, or Google Pay on Android, while connected to Wi-Fi in advance of arriving at the Budweiser Stage, they said.

“Please note that Budweiser Stage is a cashless venue. All points of sale inside the venue can accept all major credit cards, but currently cannot accept debit payments until the Rogers outage is resolved.”

Scarborough Health Network (SHN)

Scarborough Health Network, which operates three hospitals and eight satellite sites in Toronto, requested physicians and staff to head to their workplaces for any shifts that they are scheduled to be on-call for until the disruption is resolved.

Metrolinx and GO Transit

Go Transit said in a tweet that some parts of its system were affected by the outage, and fares cannot be purchased using debit or credit cards.

“Fares can not be purchased using debit and credit, and E-tickets may be unavailable. However, our Contact Centre and transit safety dispatch lines are fully functional to take customer calls,” Metrolinx wrote on Twitter.

There weren’t any train or bus delays as a result, Metrolinx said.

Canada’s Wonderland, various retailers

Many retailers and businesses were also facing trouble accepting payments because Interac, which processes electronic financial transactions, said its online and checkout debit offerings and e-transfer services were impacted.

Canada’s Wonderland said amusement park goers could only pay with a credit card. They were told on Facebook they must be able to access e-tickets on their phone or bring printed tickets to the park if visiting Friday.

“We’ve confirmed our Cash-to-Card Kiosks inside the park are working, so guests can load cash onto a prepaid debit card,” the amusement park said.

“If you cannot access your ticket for today on your mobile device and cannot print it, we will honour your ticket for a visit another time.”

An LCBO store in Toronto, Ontario. Photo: Google Maps.

One woman named Linda, that shopped at an LCBO in Toronto, said debit and credit machines were not functioning, making for a stressful and chaotic shopping experience.

“It was cash only. As you know, LCBO stores get pretty crazy on a Friday,” she said.

“Those that were unaware of the outages were left in the dark. They had no cash. They had to leave without a purchase. It was a crazy scene.”

Toronto Public Library

A spokesperson for the Toronto Public Library said the outage is affecting some TPL services, such as Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspots and Internet Connectivity Kits.

More than a dozen branches were unable to access the Wi-Fi, including High Park, Jane-Dundas and Eglinton Square.

Rogers Communications is the parent company of CityNews

With files from The Canadian Press