{"id":21796,"date":"2023-09-11T11:13:55","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T18:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/rogers-ordered-to-open-ttc-wireless-network-to-all-carriers-minister\/"},"modified":"2023-09-11T11:13:56","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T18:13:56","slug":"rogers-ordered-to-open-ttc-wireless-network-to-all-carriers-minister","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/rogers-ordered-to-open-ttc-wireless-network-to-all-carriers-minister\/","title":{"rendered":"Rogers ordered to open TTC wireless network to all carriers: Minister"},"content":{"rendered":"

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TORONTO \u2013 The federal government is forcing Rogers Communications Inc. to grant all wireless carriers access to its cellular network in core parts of Toronto\u2019s downtown subway by Oct. 3.<\/p>\n

Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Monday that the deadline is part of new spectrum licence conditions, designed to bring cellphone and data services to the entire subway network by the end of 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe message is simple. Enough is enough. That is the message that I\u2019m sending to the telcos on behalf of millions of\u00a0TTC\u00a0riders who have been very, very patient,\u201d said Champagne.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are forcing the telecoms to ensure that all subway users, regardless of the service providers, they have access to mobile services by Oct. 3.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently, only Rogers and Freedom Mobile customers have access to the network.<\/p>\n

The minister is giving mobile carriers, including rivals Bell and Telus, until Dec. 20 to reach commercial agreements with Rogers about financial terms.<\/p>\n

While the Oct. 3 deadline covers only the existing network, the federal government is requiring service be in place for all stations within six months of the commercial agreements being reached. Service needs to be in place for 80 per cent of tunnels within two years, and full coverage by the end of 2026.<\/p>\n

Rogers, which unexpectedly started providing 5G service to some areas of the\u00a0TTC\u00a0on Aug. 23 to its own customers, welcomed the mandate.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis approach reflects what we\u2019ve been proposing all along \u2013 to bring 5G services to all riders as quickly as possible,\u201d said spokeswoman Sarah Schmidt in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cBell 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said the company would continue to work to build out the\u00a0TTC\u00a0network it bought as it looks to expand access.<\/p>\n

Telus also said the minister\u2019s decision would be helpful in improving public safety and fair competition.<\/p>\n

\u201cTelus is pleased by today\u2019s decision to compel Rogers to provide access to all carriers on the\u00a0TTC,\u201d said spokesman Richard Gilhooley.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is regrettable that it took his action to force Rogers to do what they had promised to do months ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

BCE Inc. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n

The telecom companies have clashed for months over\u00a0TTC\u00a0network access and the commercial terms around it.<\/p>\n

The government says that if carriers fail to meet the conditions, including the Oct. 3 deadline, it could take measures including fines or licence suspension.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe message could not be stronger, and I expect them fully to comply with that. If they fail to do so, we will take enforcement action,\u201d said Champagne.<\/p>\n

\u00a92023 THE CANADIAN PRESS<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n