OK ... WHY NO CELL SIGNAL ON SUBWAYS???

It's crazy?? Someone should be fired about this.

Get Toronto Hydro to run the network - and send the bill to Rogers/Bell/Telus.

It's pathetic. And you wonder why everyone hates the TTC.

I don't think any subway systems in North America or Europe have employed this system yet. New York is working on it if I remember. These things cost insane amounts of money and time. I'd rather get a better system then one I can make a call in.

A lot of people like the bit of time away from cell phones. Besides, how much time to Torontonians spend on the subway? It takes only an hour to get from one end to the other so it isn't like you're missing out on the world by being down there.

Thank god there is no cell phone service on the subway. Its already annoying having to listen to people's music because they are too deaf from having their volume turned up to the max.

Thank god there is no cell phone service on the subway.

Thank god there is no cell phone service on the subway.

Thank god there is no cell phone service on the subway.


This.

Clearly none of you ever need to text or check emails during the course of your day.

Lucky you.

There's no reason why they can't at least install something at various stations. When the train stops lets users send/recieve text messages/emails.

So for being progress, I know this is Toronto.

How long is a subway ride going to be? 30 minutes tops maybe? And you really can't go 30 minutes without texting or checking your bloody emails?

This isn't an issue of personal opinions regarding how they feel cellphone usage is annoying or not. It has more to do with the TTC subway (and other subway systems in NA) being out-dated in terms of technology and communication accommodations. Majority of subway systems in Asia already have cellphone coverage in their networks.

BTW; here's an article from 2008 regarding this matter. No idea if any progress has been made since then... LOL

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/12/04/subway-cellphone-service-coming-soon-ttc.aspx

This isn't an issue of personal opinions regarding how they feel cellphone usage is annoying or not. It has more to do with the TTC subway (and other subway systems in NA) being out-dated in terms of technology and communication accommodations. Majority of subway systems in Asia already have cellphone coverage in their networks.

BTW; here's an article from 2008 regarding this matter. No idea if any progress has been made since then... LOL

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/12/04/subway-cellphone-service-coming-soon-ttc.aspx

But it's also considered rude to be ON said cellphone is most Asian cities, so really, whats the point.

The TTC shouldn't be paying for installing the technology though. The operators should chip in if they want to increase their coverage, and pay rent to the TTC for using their tunnels and stations.

But it's also considered rude to be ON said cellphone is most Asian cities, so really, whats the point.

Whether cellphone usage is rude or not is a matter of personal opinion and situation. Cellphones are devices invented to be tools of convenience. It becomes rather inconvenient when you have areas where network reception is unavailable, for social or business purposes.

The statistics in the 2008 article I posted show that 59% of poll participants are in favour of such an initiative. The general public does support this. With Blackberries and Smart phones becoming even more prevalent and important nowadays, I wouldn't be surprised with an even greater amount of supporters today.

How long is a subway ride going to be? 30 minutes tops maybe? And you really can't go 30 minutes without texting or checking your bloody emails?


... what are you talking about?

You've never been waiting to get a text about where friends are meeting up and plans change?

"Change is bad", I bet you're a Microsoft fan.

This isn't an issue of personal opinions regarding how they feel cellphone usage is annoying or not. It has more to do with the TTC subway (and other subway systems in NA) being out-dated in terms of technology and communication accommodations. Majority of subway systems in Asia already have cellphone coverage in their networks.

BTW; here's an article from 2008 regarding this matter. No idea if any progress has been made since then... LOL

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/12/04/subway-cellphone-service-coming-soon-ttc.aspx

... people need to get fired over things like this.

Bureaucracy at it's worst.

How long is a subway ride going to be? 30 minutes tops maybe? And you really can't go 30 minutes without texting or checking your bloody emails?

... and subways always arrive on time, subways never get stuck in tunnels.

What subway line are you riding on?

You're the first person I have met who is actually passionate about this. I do not think Torontonians care about cell phone service on the subways, it's just not that important to us. I know I do not care about it.

To be honest, I am more interested in wondering why you're so stressed out over it. Is your job that stressful?

Years of timing calls to perfectly coincide with Davisville station have also made me very annoyed that there is no cell service in the subway, but the biggest reason why there's no service is that it would be expensive to install, and the cell operators and the TTC would get no money from it (it's not like if Bell/Rogers charged a surcharge for subway usage people would actually pay). So no money for something very expensive is just not going to happen.

OK ... WHY NO CELL SIGNAL ON SUBWAYS???

It's crazy?? Someone should be fired about this.

Get Toronto Hydro to run the network - and send the bill to Rogers/Bell/Telus.

It's pathetic. And you wonder why everyone hates the TTC.

Says the same person who's all up in arms over a thread about women. Maybe take the time away from your precious phone to socialize? Ever thought about that? Crazy.. I know.

You're the first person I have met who is actually passionate about this. I do not think Torontonians care about cell phone service on the subways, it's just not that important to us. I know I do not care about it.

To be honest, I am more interested in wondering why you're so stressed out over it. Is your job that stressful?

... LOL.

Clearly moving Toronto forward is too demanding for people like you.

My god, how ever did we cope before cell phones existed??? It must have been extremely difficult for anyone to accomplish anything.

I'm amazed we survived.

Most of the Bloor line once West is outdoors anyways, same with Spadina line north. If anything we DO have cellphone service for most of the trip.

The only good think about having a cell signal in subway for me is that the battery in my phone would not die so fast. I am always too lazy to turn it off and when it looks for signal it consumes much more energy than normally.

I actually enjoy this feeling that no one can call you for this period of time. Or I can keep it as ann excuse when I don't want to pick up someone's call: "Sorry, I was probably in the subway when you tried to called me" :)

Yesterday I needed to txt my wife to tell her of my change in plans.

OH no txt to people on the subway - so I waited half an hour.

Subway FAIL. No excuse for no Cell Service on such a pathetically small subway. Only in Canada.

Yesterday I needed to txt my wife to tell her of my change in plans.

OH no txt to people on the subway - so I waited half an hour.

Subway FAIL. No excuse for no Cell Service on such a pathetically small subway. Only in Canada.

Good I'm glad it ruined your life. :lol:

Yesterday I needed to txt my wife to tell her of my change in plans.

OH no txt to people on the subway - so I waited half an hour.

Subway FAIL. No excuse for no Cell Service on such a pathetically small subway. Only in Canada.

Why don't you just use your psychic powers, which is how men communicated with their wives before cell phones?

BTW--you're married? I find that kind of hard to believe. No offence.

While it is not a matter of life and death (which the OP might unintentionally suggest), and I, like most Torontonians manage quite well without it, I disagree with the mocking comments.

It would certainly be very useful to have cell phone reception in the subway. Like mentioned here, it is often quite frustrating to not be able to communicate/inquire about changes of plans or delays. I too, like Epi, often find myself waiting for Davisville or Rosedale if I need to make a phone call or just send a text.

Sure, we survived without cell phones, but now we use them (at least, most of us do) and are used to the convenience. An argument like this can be made about any useful technology.

How feasible and worthwhile it is (mostly from a financial standpoint) is a totally different question, but I surely wouldn't mind it.

While it is not a matter of life and death (which the OP might unintentionally suggest), and I, like most Torontonians manage quite well without it, I disagree with the mocking comments.

It would certainly be very useful to have cell phone reception in the subway. Like mentioned here, it is often quite frustrating to not be able to communicate/inquire about changes of plans or delays. I too, like Epi, often find myself waiting for Davisville or Rosedale if I need to make a phone call or just send a text.

Sure, we survived without cell phones, but now we use them (at least, most of us do) and are used to the convenience. An argument like this can be made about any useful technology.

How feasible and worthwhile it is (mostly from a financial standpoint) is a totally different question, but I surely wouldn't mind it.


I guess I'm in the wrong.

Cell phone service, even just at platform level is too much to ask for.

Sorry for proposing change.

I guess I'm in the wrong.

Cell phone service, even just at platform level is too much to ask for.

Sorry for proposing change.sigh ... living in Toronto and talking about the TTC, honestly, you should have known better ... :lol:

Seriously tho - if the TTC doesn't have to pay for it, they would be all over the proposal - and while people will grouse (in general) they will eventually accept it and wonder how they survived so long without it.

Cheers, m

So, everybody seems to hate having to listen to other peoples cell phone conversations on public transit (myself included), but it seems like some of you really dislike phones in general. What if they offered service that would only allow texts and data? Does somebody checking their email bother you or would you be able to support that?

So, everybody seems to hate having to listen to other peoples cell phone conversations on public transit (myself included), but it seems like some of you really dislike phones in general. What if they offered service that would only allow texts and data? Does somebody checking their email bother you or would you be able to support that?

I personally don't mind people texting or emailing...but is it possible to provide service that doesn't allow voice calling? (I know nothing about cellular service)

But I also can live without my cell phone for the little time I'm on the subway. So to me it isn't a big deal that there is no service down there, and I don't think the TTC should pay to install one.

I personally don't mind people texting or emailing...but is it possible to provide service that doesn't allow voice calling? (I know nothing about cellular service)


Yes.


But I also can live without my cell phone for the little time I'm on the subway. So to me it isn't a big deal that there is no service down there, and I don't think the TTC should pay to install one.

What if it didn't cost the TTC a thing? Typical business models for cell service in subways is that a private company, lets call them Underground Wireless LLC, invests their money in installing and operating the network, and then actual wireless providers (rogers, bell, telus etc) pay them money to get access to the network for their customers. heres an article about it in NYC:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-30/new-york-city-subway-stations-to-get-mobile-phone-service-in-revived-pact.html

the cost is basically reflected in prices that cell phone users pay (ie the people who use the service, and not the transit using public, some of which may not own phones).

no cell service on NYC subways either

^^ No cellphone service on basically all subway services west of China and Japan. We don't have the network capabilities, nor the desire.

If Rogers or Bell spent millions on setting up services in the subway, then Telus and the remainder would have to follow. They'd be spending money that they could be using to set up towers in places they don't have service already which means new customers and more money. It's not economical and it won't happen until we stop having a three-way monopoly for cellphone providers or that there is literally nowhere else they see more worthwhile to spend their money. To be honest with the recent upgrades in towers I've noticed you get at least a bar or two in most stations now.

I think what TTC would be looking at is a 3rd party that would then sell network space to all providers. Personally I think it would be okay if it was just data services that was available, it would nice to be able to check NextBus or Google Maps as you get to your destination.

I am enjoying cellphone service in the Mexico City's subway. Doesn't work all the time - for example in tunnels where there is a large distance between stations, but it's good enough for texting. My girlfriend loves it when I send her free messages announcing each station where I am. :)

^^ No cellphone service on basically all subway services west of China and Japan. We don't have the network capabilities, nor the desire.


There is cell phone service in the Paris Metro. It took me a while to realize that there was coverage. If we get coverage, I don't know if we'd be as restrained when on the phone given what I've seen on buses, streetcars and GO trains.

Vancouver got cell phone coverage on all 3 lines for most underground sections.

They should enable the cellphones to work on the Toronto Subway Lines...

The TTC shouldn't be paying for installing the technology though. The operators should chip in if they want to increase their coverage, and pay rent to the TTC for using their tunnels and stations.

I can see companies such as FIDO charging $3 a minute for "subway-time", they already charge you extra for calling a cab and I feel "pizza-time" is next, I'm not joking!

Being a parent it would be nice to have access to phone service at all times, and if a regular trip takes an average of half an hour that would mean you are cut off for and hour in a 10 hour day time frame. I already missed a couple of important emergency calls because I was in the subway. Maybe if I wasn't a parent I'd be thinking that having signal in the subways is superfluous, but I've already proven myself it is not.

Also navigating the www while taking a boring trip would come handy to keep anyone's stress levels in check.

I was in Madrid this weekend and the metro has cellphone coverage. I have cellphone coverage in Lisbon's Metro. Most european metro systems have this technology. I really want to go back to Canada, but sometimes it astonishes me how some things in North America work the way they did in Europe 10 years ago.

The TTC will be getting cellphone coverage. Just be patient.