Toronto subway finally entering 21st century

TORONTO—The Toronto Transit Commission has been making strides over the past several years to rid the pockets of Torontonians of those pesky, often-misplaced tokens and bring Wi-Fi to subway stations. Change can’t come fast enough for most commuters, but the TTC has taken another step toward meeting the needs of modern commuters by announcing a partnership BAI Canada and Wind Mobile to bring cell reception to the depths of Toronto’s underground.

Wind’s customers will be the first Torontonians whose phones will be registering bars at St. George and Bloor-Yonge stations. The carrier intends to roll out further coverage on the downtown “U” during this summer’s Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

“The expansion of wireless capabilities in our transit system will allow TTC riders to be connected underground, enhancing the way we work and do business in our city. This is an example of how the City can bring its operations into the 21st century,” Mayor John Tory, said.

This announcement marks a significant milestone in TTC’s modernization plans and the larger wireless installation project that is bringing both cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity to customers on the subway system, the TTC said.

BAI Canada has built a shared Wi-Fi and cellular infrastructure for the TTC that allows any wireless carrier to sign on and provide underground cellular service to their customers. As the first carrier to sign on to the network, WIND Mobile is presently the exclusive provider of cellular services at underground TTC subway stations. Now that Wind has made the first move, other carriers seem certain to follow.