Bell, Telus offer to buy TTC contract if joint build not option

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Rogers says it’s going to work with different suppliers to deliver them on board

Printed Apr 20, 2023  •  Final up to date 4 hours in the past  •  3 minute learn

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The chief govt of Bell Canada is looking for the wi-fi community in Toronto’s subway system to be a “joint construct” between the main telecom gamers, and says Bell and Telus Corp. are prepared to purchase the contract if Rogers Communications Inc. isn’t prepared to implement such an strategy.

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Bell chief govt Mirko Bibic made the feedback in a letter to Business Minister François-Philippe Champagne dated April 19, after the minister urged Canada’s telecom corporations to offer an replace on the preparations being made to make sure service is accessible extra broadly within the underground transit system.

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Debate over the TTC contract was sparked when Rogers introduced on April 11 that it was buying BAI Communications Canada, which has held the unique rights to construct mobile and Wi-Fi networks throughout the Toronto Transit Fee’s subway system since 2012.

“After we discovered of this, we instantly expressed our curiosity within the mission and urged the TTC to require as a situation of its approval of the switch from BAI to Rogers, that an open entry, joint-build mannequin be adopted,” Bibic wrote, including that Bell has but to obtain a response from the TTC.

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Bell’s provide, based on the letter, included a direct cost of $10 million to the TTC to be used in discretionary tasks like transit security enhancements, along with the multimillion greenback cost to BAI. Bell advised the Monetary Publish that it submitted the provide to the TTC on April 13.

In a separate letter dated April 19, Robert Malcolmson, chief authorized and regulatory officer for Bell, advised TTC chair Jon Burnside to not approve the switch of BAI’s contract to Rogers till the 4 nationwide wi-fi carriers, which now embody Quebecor Inc., develop a plan to serve all wi-fi prospects who experience the TTC as directed by Champagne.

“Up to now the TTC has seemingly chosen to endorse Rogers’ acquisition of BAI with out requiring Rogers to decide to the (joint-build) strategy described,” Malcolmson wrote.

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In an announcement, TTC spokesperson Stuart Inexperienced stated Bell had participated within the open tender course of for the contract that was ultimately awarded to BAI at the very least a decade in the past, however Bell was finally outbid by $20 million.

He stated the present proposal between BAI and Rogers is a personal enterprise transaction which Bell or others might have entered into at any time over the previous 12 years.

“To counsel, as this letter does, we tear up the contract reached after an open and public bidding course of and as an alternative award our wi-fi providers to a different consortium with no public tender is a non-starter for the TTC,” Inexperienced stated.

In a response directed to Champagne, Rogers chief govt Tony Staffieri stated in an April 20 letter that it’s going to make the wi-fi system accessible for all TTC riders, “no matter the wi-fi service they subscribe to.”

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He stated this contains “working with different wi-fi carriers in the event that they select to decide to work with us in the very best pursuits of all.”

“Respectfully, I might urge you to not get caught up within the rhetoric of our rivals, significantly the response from Bell to you dated April 19, 2023, which included many inaccuracies and unfounded accusations which can be disrespectful to the method and will not be in the very best pursuits of the TTC and its riders,” Staffieri wrote.

Staffieri stated the TTC had made it clear to Rogers no different service, apart from Freedom, has made any constructive try to work with them to offer wi-fi providers within the subway system.

Beneath the present community, Freedom Cell, beforehand owned by Shaw Communications Inc., is the one cellular service that gives full service within the underground system. In a facet deal as a part of the Roger’s acquisition of Shaw, Freedom Cell was bought by Quebecor’s Videotron Ltd.

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Rogers stated the corporate plans to provoke discussions with different suppliers to take part in its plan to deliver a 5G community to the system, which it stated will ship wi-fi protection with cellular voice and knowledge providers in all 75 stations.

“As we’ve stated from the outset, we’re dedicated to working with all carriers,” Rogers spokesperson Cam Gordon stated April 20.

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Bibic stated Bell has written to Staffieri asking for affirmation that Rogers will undertake an open entry, joint-build strategy like these utilized in different main transit tasks. He stated Bell had not acquired a response.

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