Subway riders with all cellular carriers will gain access to the wireless network previously available only to Rogers and Freedom customers by Oct. 3, the federal government said. Riders take a subway train on the Toronto Transit Commission station in downtown Toronto, Saturday, April 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
TORONTO – Rogers Communications Inc. must grant all wireless carriers access to its cellular network in core parts of Toronto’s downtown subway by Oct. 3.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says 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.
Currently, only Rogers and Freedom Mobile customers have access to the network.
The minister is giving mobile carriers, including rivals Bell and Telus, until Dec. 20 this year to reach commercial agreements with Rogers about financial terms.
The government says that if carriers fail to meet the conditions, it could take measures including fines or licence suspension.
In August, Rogers unexpectedly launched its 5G wireless service for its own customers in downtown subway stations and tunnels despite ongoing discussions with the government, drawing frustration from Bell and Telus.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2023.
