Rogers urged minister to not turn off its customers’ access to 5G network on TTC [Video]

TORONTO – Before Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne ruled Rogers Communications Inc. must grant its rivals access to its cellular network on Toronto’s subway, the company had urged Ottawa not to force it to turn off access for its own customers, newly released documents reveal.

In an Aug. 28 filing to Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada, the Toronto-based telecommunications company said “taking service away from any customer is clearly not in the public interest, nor is constraining the public safety benefits for all wireless consumers and transit riders.”

The comments were part of the second phase of Champagne’s consultation process meant to expedite negotiations between the four major carriers on ensuring wireless access for all TTC subway riders.

The telecoms’ final submissions in that process were posted to ISED’s website last Friday – four days after Champagne announced new licence conditions requiring Rogers to provide BCE Inc. and Telus …