TTC cell service must be available to all subway riders within weeks, feds say

The federal government has laid out a timeline to swiftly bring cell phone service to all TTC subway riders and says carriers have a collective responsibility to provide wireless access.

In a news conference at Toronto City Hall on Monday morning, Francois Philippe-Champagne, minister of innovation, science and economic development, shared new conditions being imposed on all carriers who provide service in the city.

“Cellular connectivity on the subway is about more than just convenience. It is a critical public safety matter,” reads a statement from Champagne. “TTC passengers have waited too long to access cellular services when riding the subway.”

The minister says he expects all TTC riders, regardless of their provider, to have cell service on parts of the subway system with existing 5G infrastructure by Oct. 3.

Full 5G capabilities are currently only available to Rogers customers in the subway tunnel between Bloor-Yonge and St. George stations.

Mobile carriers are expected to establish commercial agreements to provide service to all by Dec. 20, 2023. Cell coverage across the entire TTC subway system is expected to be in place within three years of the commercial agreements being established.

“The conditions will lead to more reliable access, reduction in dropped phone calls, and increased network speeds,” reads a technical briefing from the ministry.

Expected outcomes of new conditions:

• Oct. 3, 2023 – Wireless access for all TTC transit riders where there is existing infrastructure
• Dec. 20, 2023 – Deadline for licensees to come to a commercial agreement
• June 2024 – Voice, text and data available in all stations
• December 2025 – Voice, text and data available in 80 per cent of tunnels
• December 2026 – Voice, text and data available in all tunnels

Source: Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada

The government says there will be an ongoing obligation for carriers to provide coverage for any new TTC stations and tunnels. Any who do not meet the conditions laid out could face fines, suspension, or have their licences revoked.

Rogers has 5G capabilities in all the stations and tunnels of the ‘lower-U’ of the subway system (St. George south to Union, north to Bloor-Yonge and west to St. George). Stations between Keele and Castle Frank, plus Spadina and Dupont, also have 5G service at platform level and in station corridors

The new conditions will require Rogers to share technical information and access to the infrastructure with other carriers, something the company has said is already taking place.

“This approach reflects what we’ve been proposing all along – to bring 5G services to all riders as quickly as possible,” reads a statement from Rogers. “Bell and Telus have been dragging their heels and the federal government is now forcing them to work with us in earnest to make connectivity possible for all riders.”  

For months, Bell and Telus officials criticized Rogers for having the rights to build out a 5G system and argued all companies should be building it in concert.

Rogers has continually argued it should be able to proceed with launching the network even before a deal can be reached with other companies. The company launched the first phase of the new wireless services last month.

Rogers bought BAI Canada in April, that company provided Wi-Fi services on TTC subway platforms as well as limited cellular service for Freedom Mobile customers. Rogers also acquired the rights to fix and expand the system.

Rogers is the parent company of this radio station and website