[alexb805]

I didn't find any threads about this topic.

Just saw some signs about Wi-Fi installations on some stations.
Also I saw people complaining about not having cellphone signal and not being able to call. There is a bunch of applications that allow you to call to any phone free. I tried using it from underground via TTC internet and it works great

 

[Kitsune]

what I've read in other spots - and people will likely confirm if that no one signed on to provide the cell service, and that is why its lacking.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

Rogers, Bell and Telus won't sign on due to competitive reasons. Wind Mobile was interested in signing on but financing was an issue.

I'm not expecting any cell service underground for a while.

 

[nfitz]

There was a press release from TTC with the wi-fi rollout recently:

Wellesley – September 2014
College – September 2014
Union – October 2014
Dundas – October 2014
Queen – November 2014
King – November 2014
Spadina – December 2014
St Andrew – January 2015
Osgoode – January 2015
St Patrick – February 2015
Queen’s Park – February 2015
Museum – March 2015

TTC notes that you can make calls currently using VOIP if your Wireless Service Provider has not yet activated service for the TTC network. See the FAQ which can be found at
www.ttc.ca/Customer_Service/Station_WiFi/index.jsp

 

[TheTigerMaster]

After Phase 1 is complete, installation of WiFi will begin in the tunnels. I believe that will happen in 2017. That means I'll soon be able to feed my UT addiction 24/7

 

[ehlow]

After Phase 1 is complete, installation of WiFi will begin in the tunnels. I believe that will happen in 2017. That means I'll soon be able to feed my UT addiction 24/7

Really? Where'd you read that? That would be great.

 

[TOareaFan]

Rogers, Bell and Telus won't sign on due to competitive reasons. Wind Mobile was interested in signing on but financing was an issue.

I'm not expecting any cell service underground for a while.

I think the point someone made though, is that most smartphones have apps that allow voice over wifi services (in bberry it is best done through BBM...if you are in a wifi zone you don't need cell service to call another bbm contact...heck, if the wifi is good enough you can video call them).

 

[nfitz]

Really? Where'd you read that? That would be great.

It's in the August 12 press release I linked above:

www.ttc.ca/News/2014/August/0812_BAI_Canada_expands_wireless_connectivity_to_Bay_subway_.jsp

It says:

The second phase of the project is the extension of the cellular network within the TTC tunnels. All work is expected to be complete in three to four years.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

I think the point someone made though, is that most smartphones have apps that allow voice over wifi services (in bberry it is best done through BBM...if you are in a wifi zone you don't need cell service to call another bbm contact...heck, if the wifi is good enough you can video call them).

That's true, however you still won't be able to use SMS or phone calls without cellular service.

However I do agree that I don't think that it will be a big issue. SMS usage is plummeting (being replaced by service like iMessage, BBM) and so are voice calls. In a few years, wireless providers like Rogers, Bell, Telus and Wind will be nothing more than dumb pipes for your mobile Internet; essentially wireless ISPs. We're not too far off from the point where everything you do on your phone will be able to be done on WiFi.

 

[dowlingm]

Considering how much of Union has been "exposed" lately, I'm surprised a lot of the wifi stuff hadn't been plumbed in via 2nd platform workspaces, and thus going live would be in the reasonably near future.

Queen-Wellesley deserve it soon though, considering that those are stations at which people have long waits due to peak trains being jammed to the doors.

 

[alexb805]

You can use apps like Viber Out or others to send SMS or Call to regular landlines or cellphone number via Wifi network and I tested successfully this theory at St George Station

That's true, however you still won't be able to use SMS or phone calls without cellular service.

However I do agree that I don't think that it will be a big issue. SMS usage is plummeting (being replaced by service like iMessage, BBM) and so are voice calls. In a few years, wireless providers like Rogers, Bell, Telus and Wind will be nothing more than dumb pipes for your mobile Internet; essentially wireless ISPs. We're not too far off from the point where everything you do on your phone will be able to be done on WiFi.

 

[Johnny Au]

There is also Google Hangouts for iOS and natively in Android.

 

[dowlingm]

BBM Voice on Blackberry/iOS/Android

 

[TheTigerMaster]

Considering how much of Union has been "exposed" lately, I'm surprised a lot of the wifi stuff hadn't been plumbed in via 2nd platform workspaces, and thus going live would be in the reasonably near future.

It wouldn't be Toronto if we didn't property coordinate construction

It's not a big deal though. The Wifi installations are nearly invisible. It's not a huge amount of work to install them.