OneZone Wi-Fi Network Goes Live in Toronto?s Financial District
Toronto (Canada),-/September 07, 2006 - Wi-Fi Technology News/- TORONTO HYDRO TELECOM INC. today launched Phase 1 of its new One Zone? Wi-Fi network in Toronto?s financial district, offering users the opportunity to access the largest Wi-Fi network in Canada.
?This is an historic day for Toronto, for Canada and for Toronto Hydro Telecom,? said David Dobbin, Toronto Hydro Telecom President. ?Our new Wi-Fi network, combined with our extensive 450-kilometre fibre network, is a powerhouse combination of leading-edge technology. One Zone? provides the infrastructure for a new way of working, of living, and of playing, and with the proliferation on the market of new wireless devices such as Wi-Fi phones and entertainment units, the timing is perfect. Ahead of the curve is exactly where a world-class city like Toronto belongs.?
Under the brand name, One Zone?, the new network will be available in the six square kilometre area bounded by: Front Street and Bloor Street; Spadina Avenue and Church Street (north of Queen Street); and Bathurst Street and Parliament Street (south of Queen Street). The full network will be completed by the end of December, 2006.
Today?s announcement marks the launch of Phase 1, in the area stretching from Front Street to Queen Street and from Spadina Avenue to Church Street. Nathan Phillips Square has also been included in Phase 1. Installation of Phase 2, which extends Phase 1 coverage north to College Street, is well underway and is planned for completion by October 15, 2006.
?This is a watershed moment that will put Toronto on the leading edge of the telecommunications industry nationally and globally," said Toronto Mayor David Miller. "It sends a strong signal to investors, researchers and other business partners that we see Toronto as a hub for innovation, investment and continued prosperity. It?s an example of the on-going city building initiatives that make Toronto an exceptional place to live, work and play. Toronto Hydro Telecom is to be commended for its aggressive and innovative approach to using technology as a means of helping our city work better, smarter and more productively."
One Zone? will be free to all users from September 6, 2006 until March 6, 2007. After that time, three different packages will be offered:
- A pre-paid monthly subscription priced at $29 per month
- A daily subscription including 24 consecutive hours of use priced at $10
- An hourly subscription at $5
The network has been engineered for scalability as required by the number of users in any geographic area. Speeds of up to 7 megabits per second can be achieved on the network.
?The monthly subscription price is highly competitive, at 30 per cent below the average market price for services such as high-speed Internet access and 45 per cent below the average cell phone offering,? said Mr. Dobbin. ?We think these prices give everyone a fair deal on broadband access that is fast, secure, reliable and best of all, untethered.?
Users who wish to try One Zone? during the free trial can access the network by connecting to One Zone_High Speed Internet through their wireless device. They will be prompted for a cell phone number for the purposes of identification. Upon validation, a username and password will be issued instantly via a text message to the cell phone number provided. This information will remain valid for the duration of the trial and will expire March 6, 2007 unless a subscription is purchased.
The website offers free links to city information such as City of Toronto, TTC, Tourism Toronto, MTO (Traffic reports), Toronto Hydro Corporation, Toronto Hydro Telecom, Toronto Board of Trade, Environment Canada and United Way of Greater Toronto. These links are available to both subscribers and non-subscribers on a permanent basis. Further information about One Zone? and about Toronto Hydro Telecom?s other services are also available at http://www.onezone.ca.
Toronto Hydro Telecom Inc. is the telecom subsidiary of Toronto Hydro Corporation, which is fully-owned by the City of Toronto. A highly specialized and innovative provider of telecom services to businesses in Toronto, Toronto Hydro Telecom owns and operates a fibre optic network that spans 450 kilometres and connects more than 400 commercial buildings in Toronto and with interconnections to utility-affiliated telecom networks bordering the GTA.
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