Bell launches new internet backup options in case of outages

Bell is the latest Canadian internet provider to launch a wireless backup option for home internet.

There are two core features to Bell’s internet backup — the first is a wireless backup option that uses Bell’s mobile network in the event of an internet disruption. The second feature is power backup, which will allow Bell internet customers to keep using their home internet in the event of a power outage.

Wireless internet backup

For the wireless backup, Bell will automatically shift home internet to use its cellular network in the event of a disruption.

Bell touted that there are no additional fees for wireless internet backup, but it’s worth noting the feature is only available to customers who bundle mobile and home internet services with Bell. When asked if it would make wireless backup available to customers who don’t bundle services, Bell said it was “focused on delivering a strong customer experience with this initial rollout, and will continue to assess opportunities to expand availability over time.”

Essentially, Bell’s wireless backup turns compatible smartphones using Bell’s wireless network into hotspots to keep customers’ modems connected during an outage.

In the fine print for wireless backup, Bell notes customers need to opt into backup in the MyBell app. Moreover, wireless backup won’t work for home phone and traditional Fibe TV services. It also requires a compatible Bell modem to function, and any smartphones must be connected to the modem. When an internet outage occurs (“as defined by Bell”), it will apply up to 50GB of data per Bell mobility line for up to three days. After that data is used or expires, mobile data usage reverts to what’s included in customers’ plans. Bell says this “more than cover[s] typical outages, which last less than 24 hours.”

Bell’s wireless internet backup is available now to all new and current Pure Fibre Internet customers with current Giga Hub 2.0 modems, who also have Bell mobility services on the same bill in Ontario and Quebec. Bell says expanded modem compatibility is “coming soon.”

Power backup

Next up is the power backup feature. Bell said in an email to MobileSyrup that its fibre network “remains connected during local power failures,” but that the modem doesn’t.

To remedy that, Bell’s power backup feature offers two uninterruptible power supply (UPS) options that can keep the modem going in the event of a power outage. Bell says its UPS options can maintain connectivity for up to nine hours.

While Bell didn’t share pricing for its UPS options with MobileSyrup, the carrier did confirm that customers can use a compatible UPS from somewhere else to keep their modem online.

Bell’s power backup feature is available across Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Atlantic Canada.

Notably, Rogers launched its own internet backup features back in 2024, offering both battery backup solutions and cellular fallback in case of outages.