TTC plugs Wi-Fi at two main stations

There’s no need to twiddle your thumbs while waiting for the next train anymore.

TTC riders now have the chance to browse the Internet at two subway stations during their commutes.

The TTC is providing riders with free Wi-Fi at St. George and Bloor-Yonge stations.

Dan Nicholson of the TTC says riders can expect Wi-Fi in all the stations over the long term and adds that TTC hopes they can use their phones as well.

“Right now, in terms of cellphones, none of the big carriers have come on board,” he said.

“So that’s what they are waiting for right now, and once a carrier comes on board people will be able to use their cellphones in the stations as well.”

Frequent TTC user, Nicole Koloftsis, is excited about the Wi-Fi availability.

“I think it’s fantastic,” she said. “I get so bored waiting for trains and it’ll be nice to do things on the Internet while I’m waiting.”

Koloftsis likes the idea of accessible Wi-Fi in all the stations.

“It would make life so much easier,” she said. “Especially when you are meeting up with people.”

According to Nicholson BAI Canada bought the rights from the TTC to install a Wi-Fi network in the subway stations.

“TTC is getting $25 million over 20 years,” Nicholson said.  “So, there is no cost to the TTC.”

The TTC is planning to have Wi-Fi access in all it’s stations but it involves a lot in terms of getting it set up and Nicholson added that it took several weeks to install the hardware at Bloor-Yonge and St.George stations.

The infrastructure for the Wi-Fi connection is up and running, but the official launch isn’t set until early December, when the TTC holds a news conference to make it official.

Nicholson talks about Wi-Fi soft launch

About this article

By: Madolyn MacCallum
Copy editor: Naomi Grosman
Posted: Nov 27 2013 2:19 pm
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