Rogers switching off TDMA, AMPS networks at end-May

Canadian GSM operator Rogers Wireless will switch off its legacy TDMA and analogue AMPS networks on 31 May 2006. It has offered all existing users a free upgrade to its GSM network. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms database, the two old networks, launched in 1985 and 1992, offer digital coverage of 85% of the Canadian population and 93% in analogue mode, but Rogers’ GSM/GPRS network covered 94% of the population at the end of 2006, with EDGE coverage almost matching the GSM footprint. Rogers also launched a W-CDMA/HSDPA network in November 2006. Although still relied upon by operators for coverage in remote areas, total Canadian users of AMPS/TDMA networks numbered 800,000 at end-September 2006 after halving in only twelve months.