In April, Rogers acquired the Canadian operations of BAI Communications, which had owned the rights to provide wireless service on the Toronto subway

Canadian operator Rogers Communications announced it has deployed its 5G technology in tunnels and stations in the busiest sections of Toronto’s subway.

Rogers also upgraded the cellular network, providing all subway users with more reliable access to 911 service in these areas as part of its phased network upgrade and expansion work.

Rogers says its customers can now connect to its 5G network while in the Line 1 stations and tunnels in the Downtown U, plus Spadina and Dupont stations.

Users will also be able to access the telco’s 5G network in 13 stations on Line 2 from Keele to Castle Frank, plus the tunnels between St. George and Yonge stations.

Tony Staffieri, president and CEO of Rogers, said: “We’re working hard to modernize and expand the network so all riders can reliably access 911 and connect to 5G everywhere across the subway system, including underground.”

In April, Rogers had acquired the Canadian operations of BAI Communications, which had owned the rights to provide wireless service on the Toronto subway.

Rogers noted it has been working closely with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to upgrade the legacy cellular infrastructure to support all wireless operators in Toronto. Rogers also said it is modernizing the wireless network with fiber, new radio equipment and more spectrum bands to provide 5G connectivity and improve the quality of the 3G/4G network.

Rogers previously said that the 5G network build is expected to take approximately two years to complete. The planned 5G network will deliver wireless coverage with mobile voice and data services in all 75 stations and almost 80 kilometers of Toronto’s subway system, the telco said.

“TTC and Rogers staff worked hard to make this happen quickly and I look forward to the full build out being completed with all wireless carriers signing on to the network,” said Rick Leary, CEO of Toronto Transit Commission. “Along with dialing 911, customers should remember that they should continue to push the Yellow Emergency Strip in case of an emergency on the subway system.”

Rogers said that Freedom Mobile’s customers also have access to 5G service in the subway system due to a previous contract between BAI Communications and Freedom Mobile, now owned by Quebecor.

In April, Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications announced the completion of their proposed merger after receiving final regulatory approval from the Canadian government.

As part of the commitments included in the conditions for the approval of the transaction, Rogers said it will invest at least CAD2.5 billion (currently $1.84 billion) to enhance its 5G network in Western Canada and CAD3 billion in additional network service expansion projects.