Rogers provides a key component of the Tbaytel mobility network.
THUNDER BAY – Its business partnership with Rogers Communications has helped Tbaytel deliver state-of-the-art services and thrive in a competitive environment for a dozen years.
Because Tbaytel is based on some of Rogers ’hardware and software technologies, that same partnership caused Tbaytel’s subscribers to get caught up in the national disruption that affected Rogers’ network last Friday.
The two companies have maintained a strategic business relationship since 2010.
Initially it was a 10 year contract, but in 2019 it was renewed for another 20 years.
At the time, CEO Dan Topatigh described the national operator as a good partner “in terms of the possibility of adding scale,” adding “We need solutions such as international roaming, American roaming, and they provide it. “
Topatigh said the extension of the deal allowed for the advancement of technology as it continues to change.
The advantage for Rogers is that its own customers can use Tbaytel’s important wireless infrastructure in northern Ontario.
TBnewswatch asked Tbaytel for an explanation as to why it was affected by the Rogers service breakdown.
No one was available for an interview, but Tbaytel issued a written response.
He explained that a mobility network has two main components: RAN and Core.
RAN stands for Radio Access Network, which in this case includes the Tbaytel Mobility Tower sites and radio antennas from the outskirts of Sault Ste. Marie to the Manitoba border.
RAN antennas are transmitted to a customer’s phone.
The Core component comprises a combination of hardware and software technologies.
Tbaytel stated that through its agreement with Rogers, “Tbaytel leverages Rogers’ core network to provide data and voice connectivity.”
When the Rogers system failed, Tbaytel customers were affected because data and voice traffic could no longer be routed to the correct destination.
“Network reliability is of the utmost importance to Tbaytel and we are in dialogue with Rogers to fully understand the root cause of the outage and how to strengthen and protect service to Tbaytel customers now and in the future,” says the communiqué.
Tbaytel will apply a proactive credit that reflects the length of the outage to customers ’bills next month.
Canada’s telecoms regulator on Tuesday ordered Rogers Communications to provide a “complete explanation” for the mass disruption.
The CRTC gave the company until July 22 to answer detailed questions about the disruption that also disrupted Interac’s payments, health care and emergency services.