Rogers buys BAI Canada to bring 5G services to Toronto subway system

Rogers Communications announced a plan to bring full 5G connectivity services to Toronto’s entire subway system, including access to 911 for all riders. Rogers entered into an agreement to acquire BAI Communications’ Canadian operations (BAI Canada), which held the exclusive rights to build the Toronto Transit Commission’s wireless network since 2012. With this acquisition, Rogers said it will be able to undertake the investments required to build a 5G network to the entire TTC subway system.

This commitment is particularly important to ensure access to 911 services across the entire subway system, the operator said. At present, TTC users with any mobile provider can call 911 only where the cellular network exists – on station platforms, concourses, and approximately 25 percent of the tunnels. Rogers will work to address gaps in the busiest and most critical sections of the subway system, it said.

The 5G network build is expected to take approximately two years to complete because of the limited overnight construction windows available to complete network installations so the subway remains operational for riders. 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.

Extensive fibre network and radio equipment upgrades are needed to modernise the network, and increase cellular capacity of the existing 3G and 4G network and the quality of services, adding new 5G mobile services for millions of additional users. The completed 5G network will deliver seamless wireless coverage with mobile voice and data services in all 75 stations and almost 80 kilometres of Toronto’s subway system.

Rogers also works with TransLink to bring wireless connectivity across the full SkyTrain system in the Greater Vancouver Area and the Societe de transport de Montreal with other Canadian carriers to bring connectivity in all 68 metro stations and over 70 kms of tunnel in Montreal.

Rogers expects its acquisition of BAI Canada to close in the next two weeks. Completion of the acquisition of BAI Canada is subject to closing conditions.