VANCOUVER, British Columbia-Rogers Cantel Mobile Communications Inc. signed a letter of intent to provide unilateral roaming services in Canada to Hongkong Telecom customers.
“Hongkong Telecom’s customers had expressed a desire for seamless cellular service in their travels to Canada. We are now examining the implementation of systems that will allow them to centralize their cellular billing and administration, while taking advantage of Cantel’s extensive network,” said Len Katz, Cantel’s vice president of government and intercarrier relations.
Because the two countries use different cellular technologies, travelers will have to pick up a Cantel phone rather than roam with their own device, according to Cantel spokesperson Taanta Gupta.
Gupta wouldn’t estimate the number of travelers between Hong Kong and Canada or the amount of airtime expected to be generated by the agreement, but said traffic patterns are well established, especially to the cities of Vancouver and Toronto.
Both companies have established task forces to work on the technical details of the service with implementation expected by the fall, Cantel said. Hongkong Telecom Canada has joined Cantel’s distribution as an approved agent.
Cantel said it also will study the possibility of providing roaming capability for Hongkong Telecom customers who travel to the United States.
