Recent Toronto transit violence prompts renewed calls for better cell service – Toronto | 24CA News
A spate of random assaults on Toronto’s public transit system has triggered renewed requires higher cell service for subway riders.
While the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is provided with the required infrastructure to permit mobile connectivity, Canada’s main carriers have but to get on board.
A transit spokesperson advised Global News through electronic mail that each one cell customers, no matter service, have entry to 911 service within the downtown space on Line 1, in addition to between Sheppard West and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway stations, and in open lower areas.
Currently, Freedom Mobile is the one wi-fi service that has signed on to offer service on the system.
The large three telecom firms — Rogers, Telus and Bell — have but to take action.
“If my phone is from Bell or Rogers or Telus and I get to the subway, I should be able to use it,” stated Toronto Centre councillor Chris Moise, who can also be a member of the TTC’s board.
“We, as a city, need to push them and perhaps even embarrass them to actually do the right thing.”
Widely-accessible cell networks are nothing new in different cities.
In Montreal, a cell community is up and operating, permitting commuters connectivity whereas travelling by way of tunnels, stations and in métro vehicles.
That achievement was made attainable by a joint funding between Bell, Rogers, Telus and Vidéotron.
BAI Communications was awarded a 20-year contract for the rights to construct and function mobile infrastructure within the TTC’s subway system.
“In Montreal, part of the reason why it works differently is because back in 2013, Rogers, Bell, Telus, and Vidéotron all agreed to pay into building infrastructure,” stated Rosa Addario, communications supervisor for OpenMedia.
“Because in Toronto the infrastructure is owned by an external company that they don’t have previous agreements with, they’re not willing to pay the money to that external company to just access the network.”
Global News reached out to the three firms for response.
Bell and Telus didn’t reply. However, Rogers issued a response late Wednesday afternoon.
“Rider safety is a key concern for Torontonians. We recognize that connectivity plays an important role in public safety,” the assertion began out. “We are committed to being part of the solution.”
In the meantime, a TTC spokesperson says they working to encourage carriers to signal on.
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