After a 15-month long dispute with Canada’s four leading wireless carriers—Bell Mobility, Rogers Wireless Communications, Telus Mobility and Microcell Telecommunications—the airport authority turned cellular service off at Canada’s busiest airport after talks broke down and the CRTC, the federal telecom regulator, refused to intervene.

The GTAA wants the carriers to invest millions of dollars to improve and extend cell phone coverage across the airport. Prior to the shut down, only 40 percent of the airport facility had coverage, and poor coverage at that.

The airport authority reassured the CRTC that security would not be jeopardized as airport employees use radios as their primary means of communication.

According to Louis A. Turpen, president and CEO of the GTAA, "The CRTC has confirmed our right to terminate the licenses that provide poor existing coverage."

"Our negotiations with the wireless carriers were aimed at improving cellular service at Pearson Airport. Unfortunately, these negotiations resulted in the cellular companies' refusal to make the required investment to improve the service," Turpen added.

While other North American airports race to enhance coverage and offer value-added wireless services, Toronto’s airport has been pushed back into the dark ages, according to one frustrated business traveler.

"So, as compensation, the GTAA is offering us travelers free local pay phone calls, but that’s if you can find a pay phone, and you have the time to stand in line," he said.

For more information: http://www.lbpia.toronto.on.ca