The TTC is ending access to free Wi-Fi on its subway platforms at the end of the week, citing low usage and security concerns about the aging network.
The TConnect service, which was first launched in 2013, will officially go offline on Dec. 27.
According to the transit agency, less than three per cent of TTC customers are logged into the Wi-Fi network at any given time.
The TTC says usage has consistently declined in recent years with the introduction of 5G connectivity across all carriers, while the networks performance has deteriorated.
There are also concerns about security and the increasing costs of keeping the Wi-Fi infrastructure operational. A TTC spokesperson said in September it would cost roughly $17 million to make necessary upgrades to keep the TConnect network functioning.
In a recent news release, the transit agency said it is considering a pilot project to offer free Wi-Fi at other static locations, like bus bays. A progress report on the pilot is set to be presented to the TTC board in the new year.
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Since late 2023, Rogers' wireless network has been available to passengers in every subway station and some tunnels, mostly concentrated downtown between St. George, Bloor-Yonge and Union stations. Tunnel service is also available between Sheppard West and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre stations.
In May, Rogers announced it had begun work to extend its 5G network to the remainder of the subway system. The telecom giant said at the time the installation would take up to two years.
A federal government mandate means network service must be accessible to customers of other carriers throughout 80 per cent of the subway system by December 2025, and all of it by December 2026.