1 of 1- RadioActive
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Rogers To Provide TTC Cell Service: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Buy 'Em
The long controversy over smartphones in the subway may soon be over, after Rogers bought BAI Canada, the company originally assigned to put cell service in the tunnels. But only Freedom Mobile availed itself of the offering, with Bell, Rogers and Telus opting out because they didn't want to pay for the privilege of accessing someone else's network in order to make phones work underground.
Now that Rogers has acquired the firm - and thus won't have to pay to use it - they will be able to eventually let you make phone calls on the subway. What happens with the other two big telcos and when 911 and 5G access will be available below ground has yet to be announced.
But I can't think either Bell or Telus will be happy to have to pay Rogers for access to anything. Whether their customers will benefit too has yet to be determined.
"It is unclear whether this deal will provide a way for all Torontonians to get the connectivity they want on the subway — or just Rogers customers."
Anyone want to bet on the answer to that question?
Rogers to take over TTC subway cellphone service
- Radiowiz
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Re: Rogers To Provide TTC Cell Service: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Buy 'Em
So once the Freedom contract runs out, what happens next?
Does Rogers get greedy and charge too much money for Freedom to continue with Toronto Subway signal service? Or what?
Is Rogers about to be the new source for "only choice" in Toronto's subway system?
RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person.
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.
- tvguy
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Re: Rogers To Provide TTC Cell Service: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Buy 'Em
Rogers has worked closely with Telus and Bell to "not negotiate" with BAI, the service provider, since it was awarded the contract, years ago. Bell, Telus and Rogers essentially "froze out" the company which was awarded the contract in Montreal, and then suddenly did an about-face and together they provided service to the subway when one of them (or all of them) acquired the contract of the failed service provider. For years, each company has used their PR Flacks to issue statements that there was no real demonstrated need for service in the TTC subway when the press asked why they weren't providing service. Of course the same carriers have a different story line in Canada's 2nd largest city - Montreal.
If history repeats itself, Telus and Bell have already got an arrangement with Rogers for Toronto. Since Rogers has sold Freedom to Videotron, I suspect that there will be a deal for Freedom to continue, at a "reasonable"cost. I wouldn't be surprised if subway access was included in Videotron's deal.
For the record, Bell was one of the "finalist" bidders when BAI was awarded the contract. If I recall, Bell choked on contractual language which was virtually identical to the language in the Telecommunicastions Act, which does not allow a party to subject another party to an undue disadvantage, or confer an undue preference on one party to the exclusion of others. BAI's contract mirrored the language of the federal Telecommunications Act. So, right until the moment the contract was awarded, Bell certainly saw a pressing need for service in the TTC. Then their tune changed. Aren't telecom monopolies wonderful?
Rogers was in discussions early on, in the bidding process to joint venture with BAI, but withdrew from those discussions. Interesting eh?
Last edited by tvguy (April 11, 2023 8:07 am)
- RadioAaron
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Re: Rogers To Provide TTC Cell Service: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Buy 'Em
Yep, RoBellus was big enough to let Freedom have that one, but Bell and Telus will have to work with Rogers now. It's too big an advantage for Rogers.
- RadioActive
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Re: Rogers To Provide TTC Cell Service: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Buy 'Em
Unless some rules are passed in advance, I can just picture the Rogers' execs. rubbing their hands in glee thinking about forcing Bell and Telus to pay them for access to the network.
Both of the latter two are already bitterly complaining about the deal, so they're not happy.
Now they know how some of their customers feel about what they're paying!
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