5 things to know about feedback to Champagne’s TTC wireless service consultation

Rogers, Bell Canada, Telus Corp. and Quebecor Inc. had until Aug. 8 to submit responses to Champagne's proposed solutions.

Canada’s four major telecommunications companies have one week left to respond to one another’s submissions as part of a federal consultation process regarding wireless access on the Toronto subway.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne wants to expedite negotiations between the carriers, which had come to a standstill after Rogers Communications Inc. bought the TTC’s existing wireless network and signalled plans to further build it out. Rogers, Bell Canada, Telus Corp. and Quebecor Inc. had until Aug. 8 to submit responses to Champagne’s proposed solutions.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada plans to post a decision following a review of those responses, which would then trigger a proposed 30-day window for the carriers to complete negotiations or face arbitration.

Here are five highlights from the submissions:

Rogers accused of delaying access

In response to Ottawa’s proposals, Bell and Telus reiterated long-standing objections to Rogers’ handling of the negotiation process.

Bell said it has still “not been provided with any technical information regarding the existing wireless infrastructure” and “we do not have any information on the planned upgrades contemplated by Rogers and the TTC.”

The company accused Rogers of making minimal efforts to advance negotiations when faced with the threat of regulatory intervention and that “in every instance, it subsequently withdrew these actions as soon as the threat has passed.”