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Your cell phone conversation won’t go interrupted while descending into an LRT station to catch a train when the electric rail line opens in 2018.

That is, as long as your cell plan is with one of the big carriers.

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OC Transpo confirmed Friday that the city has signed an agreement to provide cell coverage in the 2.5-kilometre tunnel through downtown.

Pat Scrimgeour, the head of transit customer services and planning, said in an email that customers who pay for cell service through major cellular providers will be able to use their cell phones in the tunnel.

“The city has reached an agreement with Telus,” Scrimgeour said. “We understand that Telus has interoperability agreements with Rogers and Bell. Other cellular providers wishing to serve their customers as they travel in the downtown tunnel can make arrangements with Telus.”

(On the Toronto subway system, there’s only one cell provider giving its customers access to cell service in stations).

About two years ago, the City of Ottawa indicated it was in discussions with wireless providers to provide service in the tunnel. Coun. Stephen Blais told CBC Ottawa at the time that Transpo set aside $1 million to maintain wireless services underground.

So, as long as you’re hooked into one of those major cell providers, looks like you’ll be able to chat or text in the Confederation Line LRT tunnel.

jwilling@postmedia.com

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