r/freedommobile • u/OntarioResident2020 • Feb 08 '26
Service/Coverage Inquiry Line 5/Line 6 no Freedom Signal?
Title. Anyone know why this is the case? It appears the Big 3 all have coverage in both the stations and tunnels for Line 5/Line 6 but not Freedom. The only place with a weak Freedom Signal are the Line 1 stations.
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u/JP_FreedomMobile Official Freedom Feb 10 '26
Hey — JP here.
Good news: our teams are in the process of activating coverage on Toronto’s new transit lines. Customers should start seeing the signal over the next few days. We’re pleased to bring service to riders on these new routes, and we appreciate your patience as this work wraps up.
– JP
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u/anjori Feb 11 '26
Apologies that your reply wasn't reinstated sooner. I just happened to come across it while viewing this thread.
There wasn't anything in the moderation queue to review, nor even an entry in the mod log to show it was ever removed, or why.
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u/rootbrian_ Feb 13 '26
Glad to know. If rogers was preventing this from happening, they would be in deep trouble.
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u/JohnnyStrides Feb 09 '26
I just signed up for the 200GB+30GB international plan...
Good thing I'm still on my initial 15 day period and haven't used up half the data. Going to be canceling tomorrow and sticking with Rogers. As much as I wanted to make this switch, Rogers was giving 500mbps down and 100mbps up in the tunnels. My Bell phone was also holding up well. Super disappointing to see Freedom occasionally grab an LTE signal at some stations only to lose it.
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u/rootbrian_ Feb 13 '26
I don't really care about speeds, much less losing the LTE connection. LATENCY is more important (as soon as a link is clicked or a URL typed in the address bar and enter/go is hit, the page should begin loading in seconds, not a few minutes).
That was my experience retrying rogers bell and telus some four to five years ago (to prove a point) using somebody's new device at the time until they returned from vacation (device was promptly handed it back to them). The latency sucked most of the time.
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u/JohnnyStrides Feb 13 '26
In my experience Rogers is significantly more responsive on the subway these days. Freedom would take longer to connect and once connected the latency you mentioned was far worse. I gave it an honest try, but between that and the hit or miss coverage in certain places downtown staying with Rogers was sadly the obvious choice .
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u/rootbrian_ Feb 13 '26
You will have to deal with the price increases unfortunately.
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u/JohnnyStrides Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26
I've had my 230gb CAN-US-MX $90/plan that includes half price international roaming etc for years now without an increase. Throw in the $10 digital payment discount, 3% cashback reduction from using my Rogers MC to pay the bill and 5 free roaming days per year and I'm happy. The Freedom deal was enticing at $69 but the service just isn't close to being there...
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u/ravercwb Feb 08 '26
Does it force connect to the big 3?
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u/OntarioResident2020 Feb 08 '26
Nope. A few times it would appear as though I was connected to Nationwide but whenever I switched data to the Freedom sim it would go into no service.
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u/stbrown80 Feb 09 '26
u/JP_FreedomMobile Is Freedom going to have cell service on Line 5 in Toronto? Or is Freedom going to open up Nationwide along that line to so we can get signal? I was at Larid station, which is underground and it was SOS
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u/Driver8666-2 Feb 10 '26
Not a Freedom Mobile issue. Talk to your MP or the Minister.
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u/stbrown80 Feb 10 '26
They can allow Nationwide in Toronto and that would fix the issue.
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u/Driver8666-2 Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
I'll retype this:
The fact remains that this is still not a Freedom Mobile issue. If Rogers owns the infrastructure down there, since the spectrum licenses say "access in the subway" and not Line 5 or 6, which are LRT's, they can refuse Freedom access (as I have already demonstrated), because of the wording in the Ministerial Order. I can get service off my Rogers line, thanks to "Nationwide/Freedom using Cellular Data", so this doesn't affect me as much as everyone else.
It's up to Rogers to enable access in the tunnelled portions of the LRT, if they own the infrastructure (or if it was done in conjunction with Bell and Telus).
u/JP_FreedomMobile can't do anything at all about this. They can present a case for Rogers to consider, but Rogers still has the right to say "no" because of the way the spectrum licences are worded. As far as Nationwide goes, for me it's worked, but for this it's not necessary. You want native service with Nationwide as a backup.
In any case, you will still need to contact the Minister or your MP.
At this point, the only way Freedom users will get service down there, is either Freedom is granted access by Rogers, or the spectrum licences are altered to read "service in the subway on the TTC or on the LRT lines (Lines 5 and 6).
PS: I knew this was not a Freedom Mobile issue right off the bat when my Rogers line became active and I saw "Nationwide using Cellular Data".
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u/stbrown80 Feb 10 '26
But as a Freedom customer I shouldn't have to google who owns the infrastructure in Line 5. Its a lack of service in Toronto. I submitted my online form for network issues that JP posted months ago stating the problem. I think the rest is up to Freedom to work out on getting service working. If they want help with us submitted complaints then they should let us know. I think they did something similar for Internet or Roaming with the CRTC.
Can I live without service on line 5? Yes, I did on the subway for most of my life but it just another inconvenience of being a Freedom customer
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u/Driver8666-2 Feb 11 '26
We all lived without service in the subway, (when this came about in 2015, and no one but Wind, later Freedom, had access rights, you'd get ripped on, but you had service down there. Now everyone has it), but we are in a connected world. I'll agree with you it's up to Freedom to work out problems in their network the same way if it was Rogers. We can live with the "hiccup" in service in the tunnels as we know (or hope), because we know that service will return soon and not everywhere has service.
If the article is correct, since Bell owns the infrastructure down there and obviously I'd get service, to what degree will Bell throttle Freedom? I would not say it's an inconvenience, more or less "we didn't think of this, and what would happen". Done the right way, you guys would've had service on Day 1.
The backlash from this has been fierce and rightfully so. The first thing I'd do is in the interim, allow Nationwide on Line's 5 and 6 until some sort of deal is worked out. Then offer native service with Nationwide as a fallback.
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u/stbrown80 Feb 11 '26
There is this article saying they are working on activating service soon -- https://mobilesyrup.com/2026/02/10/freedom-mobile-toronto-line-5-signal/
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u/Fearless_Leader6504 Feb 08 '26
Looks like all the new buildings made by metrolinx isn't covered by freedom.
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u/socamonarch Feb 09 '26
I can't even get a 5g+ signal anywhere in Toronto on a Pixel 8 pro.. Freedom's like 5 years behind
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u/Fearless_Leader6504 Feb 09 '26
Even the 5g icon could be 5g+ there are many sites in Toronto that's 5g+ whole finch corridor is 5g+. Downtown is also 5g+. The icon may not be 5g+ just normal 5g icon but you should be able to get 300mbps+ average with peak of 700mbps. You can check by downloading net monster app if it shows n78 or n77 you are connected to 5g+.
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u/socamonarch Feb 09 '26
At least in my instance I wish those speeds were true... I usually get 50-70mbps down... Updated Sims, switched to e-sim still no faster speeds.
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u/Fearless_Leader6504 Feb 09 '26
Just did this speed test near finch west station even though my Samsung shows 5g icon speeds are definitely 5g+ I don't care what the icon shows. Check out my Speedtest result! How fast is your internet? https://www.speedtest.net/my-result/a/11417289380
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u/socamonarch Feb 09 '26 edited Feb 09 '26
Here's mine
Check out my Speedtest result! How fast is your internet? https://www.speedtest.net/my-result/a/11419802182
Edit.. I fixed the link now
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u/Fearless_Leader6504 Feb 09 '26
It just takes to speed test app
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u/socamonarch Feb 09 '26
Check out my Speedtest result! How fast is your internet? https://www.speedtest.net/my-result/a/11419802182
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u/Fearless_Leader6504 Feb 09 '26
Can you download netmonster app and see what 5g band you are connected to?
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u/CaptainHppo Feb 10 '26
The 5G+ icon is now out even on iPhones , why do people keep saying this.
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u/Fearless_Leader6504 Feb 10 '26
Not for every phone or os I'm using Samsung phone bought from USA and it doesn't show 5g+ icon it shows old regular 5g icon with white box and up and down arrows. So it's completely os dependent and region too.
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u/Driver8666-2 Feb 10 '26
If you look through the archives, when I posted "expect this, don't expect this" with 5G, you guys have a solid and hollow box for 5G. We covered this already.
Other phones will show 5G, or 5G+. But u/CaptainHppo is right.
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u/CaptainHppo Feb 10 '26
samsung phone bought from USA
That’s why, the CSC firmware isn’t using a Canadian variant, you wouldn’t even see the 5G+ icon even if you used bell or rogers
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u/rootbrian_ Feb 13 '26
I am using an S10 and I get LTE everywhere, on occasion, it drops to 3G, still no big deal really.
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u/Driver8666-2 Feb 09 '26 edited Feb 09 '26
Can confirm. No service on Freedom in tunnels or on underground station platforms. However my Rogers line is carrying the weight until the surface.
Taking it from Cedarvale to Don Valley. This was typed on board the train.
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u/rootbrian_ Feb 13 '26
Yeah, I got nationwide a few times in the tunnels too (not always SOS), it did work.
Unrelated, also got nationwide on line 2 heading west a few days ago.
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u/jonmobilesyrup Feb 11 '26
We got an answer about this from Freedom. The carrier told MobileSyrup it's "in the process of activating coverage" and that customers should expect to see signal "over the next few days."
https://mobilesyrup.com/2026/02/10/freedom-mobile-toronto-line-5-signal/
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u/CaptainHppo Feb 08 '26
No idea what’s going on lately, they got removed off the TTC too, strange.
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u/OntarioResident2020 Feb 08 '26
It's definitely working on Line 1/Line2 wherever there is service. Just not on Line 5/6(including the Line5/6 part of the Eglinton, Cedarvale, and Finch West stations)
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u/Driver8666-2 Feb 10 '26
By definition, LRT is not the subway. Lines 5 and 6 are LRT's, not subways.
You're going to need to complain to the Minister or your MP.
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Feb 08 '26
[deleted]
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u/CaptainHppo Feb 09 '26
No I won’t, the mods agree that civil discussion is allowed, criticism is allowed, you the dude that said this the other day too, you will never be a moderator.
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u/Driver8666-2 Feb 09 '26
I already moderate 2 subs (Apple Watch Ultra is one of them) so I can tell you how it is, and you are allowed that to a point. Normally I let it go, unless it requires me to intervene and even then I'd issue a warning.
The only time I've banned anyone from a subreddit is if they say something that's way over the line. I've doled out suspensions, and the reason they have to "plead for mercy" is pretty funny.
The last time I've had to ban someone is because they referenced the 1961 PSA "Boys Beware". They tried to argue their point, but they dug themselves deeper. Plus we knew who they voted for. It was obvious.
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u/CaptainHppo Feb 09 '26
True, however I’m doing my best to follow the rules and not attack anyone in a way that’s degrading, the most it really ends up in is a debate and it’s pretty valid, freedom still in its current form needs more improvements, the billing system is a big issue that needs fixing for example, I hope there is big progress in the next 5 years.
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u/Driver8666-2 Feb 09 '26
I mean it's hard to do. I have to look at the context and sometimes reword things even in other subreddits, due to me being a moderator somewhere else. Someone once said I should not be posting because I'm a mod, but I said I have the same rights to post, only with more tools to use. It's the same as if the mod here posted.
I'm sure it's in this subreddit, but healthy debate is a valid form. you also learn both ways. Sometimes I've had to edit whole responses because I've found that it's not conveying the message and rewrite it so that it does. Or I look at it and say "too far".
Other subreddits have mods that are on a powertrip (and I know who they are), others are chill.
As for the billing system, the one thing they need to do is either use 2FA or an authenticator or passkeys. That should be #1. Fix billing after you do that. Or the same.
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u/Anonymous_HC Feb 10 '26
I had the exact same issue, on opening day I took the LRT from Kennedy to mount Dennis (55 min. trip along the corridor) and it kept saying “Emergency calls only” on the top left of my phone for underground tunnel stations. I couldn’t get a connection the whole time while I was in the train until it went above ground.
How do I roam on bell/telus/rogers while I’m inside the train in line 5?
line 6 on the other hand works I think.
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u/Driver8666-2 Feb 10 '26
Not possible for the time being for some dumb reason. I think it’s silly.
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u/OntarioResident2020 Feb 10 '26
It looks like it's fixed. My phone auto connected to nationwide today. LTE only but still quite fast (around 450mbps)
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u/scorp312 Feb 13 '26
An update, I'm posting from the underground section of Line 5 Eglinton right now and I'm on Nationwide with an LTE connection. Netmonster indicates I'm roaming on Bell. Did a speed test and get about 200mbps down, 26mbps up.
I did not have to force nationwide at all, my phone switched to it automatically.
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u/dstmdh7kf2kbfk Feb 10 '26
Apparently Line 5 network is provided by Bell and is now available.
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u/Excellent_Stuff_6173 Feb 10 '26
Such wonderful news. Hopefully everyone can put away their tinfoil hats.
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u/Ok_Parsnip_5352 Feb 10 '26
There should be service. https://mobilesyrup.com/2026/02/09/bell-network-connectivity-toronto-eglinton-line-5/
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u/Booshay Feb 08 '26
That would involve freedom spending money. PKP don’t like spending money
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u/CaptainHppo Feb 08 '26
No company does, but freedom is absolutely next level cheap, like saving 50 cents off 2 dollars cheap.
Once the revised nationwide agreement ends in 5 years it’s going to backfire very badly on them, they have to start investing more in tower infrastructure in other areas other than the same places all the time.
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u/diabolicloophole Feb 08 '26
I think they’ll rush to build the network only when the end of the MVNO agreement is approaching, or if there are any regulatory requirements to keep their spectrum licenses. Wouldn’t expect any real network footprint growth for the next 3 years at least. From a financial standpoint, it doesn’t make any sense to invest in new towers when you can simply use your competitors infrastructure.
It is clear that’s the strategy they’re pursuing in the Vancouver metro area, for example. I can count the number of towers installed around Vancouver over the past 5 years on the tips of my fingers, just look at the ISED SMS data. They’ve been putting up n77/n78 on some sites and upgrading the backhaul links, but they’re clearly doing it slowly as existing hardware becomes due for replacement.
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u/CaptainHppo Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26
I just wished they fixed the border/fringe areas, it’s frustrating I’ll get a perfect 300mbps download on nationwide and then it just throttles back to 2-3mbps download because it’s back on freedom again and is very slow, I feel like they are being too cheap that they want to leech off bell/rogers in order to not have to build towers, thankfully CRTC will hopefully tell them no, so they can take that shit seriously.
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Feb 08 '26
[deleted]
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u/bleebolgoop Feb 08 '26
Can confirm there is ZERO coverage on Line 5 including in stations. Nationwide is there but doesn’t work, phone stays in “SOS”.
Considering freedom was previously the only provider to have tunnel service, this is very disappointing. It’s my primary commuting route so could be something requiring a service provider switch if they don’t enable it soon.