Rogers to acquire TTC wireless network, bring 5G to Toronto subway system | 24CA News
TORONTO — Rogers Communications Inc. is shopping for the corporate that owns the wi-fi community in Toronto’s subway and can carry 5G to your complete system, the corporate mentioned Monday.
The telecom big mentioned in a news launch it has entered into an settlement to buy BAI Communications’ Canadian operations.
In 2012, BAI was awarded a $25-million contract by the TTC to construct and function its public Wi-Fi and mobile community.
However, Freedom Mobile is the one telecom firm that has signed on to offer protection to its clients via BAI’s community, which means most cell clients have little to no service alongside the subway line.
An improve in violent incidents on the TTC over the previous yr has introduced the hole underneath contemporary scrutiny, with some calling on the federal telecommunications regulator to pressure Rogers, Bell and Telus to make use of BAI’s community.
Rogers mentioned with the acquisition of BAI, it might now put money into constructing a complete and dependable 5G community for your complete TTC subway system.
The firm mentioned its funding will carry 911 protection to the entire system. Currently, it mentioned 911 protection is on the market to all cell customers solely the place BAI’s community exists: on station platforms, concourses, and roughly 25 per cent of the tunnels.
Rogers mentioned it would work to rapidly handle gaps within the busiest and most crucial sections of the subway.
“The agreement to acquire BAI Canada is a significant first step in modernizing and expanding the existing network to deliver enhanced 5G wireless service to millions of transit riders throughout the entire subway system in Canada’s largest city,” Rogers Chief Technology and Information Officer Ron McKenzie mentioned within the news launch.
The phrases of the settlement and the worth of the deal weren’t disclosed.
Extensive upgrades are wanted to modernize the community, Rogers mentioned.
BAI mentioned in an replace posted on its web site that the deal was the results of “active negotiations over the past year.”
“Each market we operate in is unique and multi-party negotiations are often complex. In this case we believe this is the best outcome to make connectivity a reality for TTC subway users,” BAI’s replace said, noting the corporate would proceed to service transit programs in cities like New York, London and Hong Kong.
Rogers mentioned the 5G community construct is predicted to take roughly two years as a result of the home windows accessible for development are restricted in an effort to hold the subway operational.
“Together with the TTC, Rogers will work on a phased deployment plan, including network design, architecture and rollout logistics, for both network improvements and expansion in the stations, concourses and in all of the subway tunnels,” the corporate mentioned in its launch.
The accomplished 5G community will ship wi-fi protection in all 75 stations and nearly 80 kilometres of the subway system, Rogers mentioned.
The deal is predicted to shut within the subsequent two weeks
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