TTC cell service

Rogers will soon own BAI Communications’ Canadian faction, a telecom company with the rights to build the TTC’s wireless network.

The telecom giant says the move will allow it to gradually bring 5G services to subway riders, including access to 911 services. Rogers says the project will take two years to complete, citing “limited overnight construction windows.”

BAI has owned the infrastructure since 2012, according to Rogers, and has presented companies with the opportunity to sign on to provide full-service coverage to all TTC riders, including those using the subway. Freedom Mobile was the only company to complete the measure in 2017. Bell, Telus, and Rogers never signed on.

TTC riders have faced a rise in violence in the past months, and while the transit company has introduced some measures to attempt to address the issue, the lack of connectivity underground is a glaring problem.

While it’s clear the move will benefit Rogers’ customers, it’s unclear what it means for customers using other networks and if problems will continue to persist.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Rogers

Violence on the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) has experienced a notable uptick in recent months. Since 2019, violent incidents against TTC riders have increased by nearly 60 percent, according to a recent report from the TTC’s CEO Rick Leary.

The question many are posing now is why the big three Canadian telecommunication providers don’t offer reliable cell service on the subway for emergency situations (via The Toronto Star).

This comes soon after a 16-year-old was killed in a reportedly unprovoked stabbing on Saturday, March 25th, becoming the fourth person to be killed on the TTC since last April.

Many Torontonians have grown increasingly wary when travelling on the TTC, especially those that rely on public transport to get around the city.

It’s worth noting that if you’re a Freedom Mobile customer, you already have service on the TTC thanks to an agreement the carrier signed with BAI Communications back in 2017, which has built and exclusively owned the service’s infrastructure for 20 years. However, if you use Rogers, Bell or Telus, you won’t have service while underground. Why the three carrier giants haven’t signed an agreement to use BAI’s network is unclear.

The TTC has increased police presence and outreach workers to combat violence on the transit system, but some Toronto city councillors see adding cellphone service as an obvious part of the public safety solution.

For an in-depth look into the need for reliable cell coverage in the TTC, check out The Toronto Star‘s report.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: The Toronto Star