Author Topic: Bell Internet Canada  (Read 9117 times)

Le0

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Bell Internet Canada
« on: December 03, 2013, 02:10:15 PM »
So I just got a ~$3 price increase on my Bell Internet. When I called they said it was "The Yearly Price Increase".

First. WHAT!!!!!!!!!

Second, when they trasfered me to the loyality department to see if there was a promotion I could take advantage of... I sat on the phone for easily +25 mins, when they finally answered the first words out of the guys mouth was "Is anyone there?" then my baby girl woke up and started crying and I had to go. It was 9pm when they answered my call. That's when the call center closes.

Third. I am now very interested in changing companies. The idea I am floating past my wife is we give up out huge monthly bandwidth and learn to deal with less access to the internet. That way we can pay Wind Mobile $30 dollars a month (Verses the 46.95 I would have to pay bell). We would also set her up with a smart phone with Wind so she has easy access to email, pinintrest etc.

Has anyone got a better suggesting, or experience with Wind's mobile internet?

YK-Phil

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #1 on: December 03, 2013, 02:42:40 PM »
I have a friend in Calgary who has Wind's $39 monthly plan, which give her Unlimited Canada-wide Calling, Unlimited Global Texting, Unlimited Canada/US wide Picture/Video Messaging, Unlimited Data, Voicemail, Caller ID, Missed Call Alerts, Conference Calling, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting). At home she uses her phone as a hotspot for her laptop or computer. So far, all is good, but keep in mind that while you have unlimited data, Wind has a Fair Usage Policy whereby speed is limited after you reach 5 GB. I guess it is fine if you enjoy life in the slow lane. You can purchase a Premium 10 GB data plan add-on for $10/month. If Wind has service where I live, I'd subscribe. Unfortunately I am stuck with Bell in my area and the cheapest iPhone data and call plan I could get is $70/month.

Daley

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #2 on: December 03, 2013, 02:55:06 PM »
Instead of going with hideously expensive mobile data, consider going with an alternate carrier that uses Bell's infrastructure (if it's available in your area), like Teksavvy. Lots of Canucks on the forums here use them.

daverobev

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #3 on: December 03, 2013, 04:25:44 PM »
velcom.ca - $28, no dryloop fees, if you can get FTTN. 100Gb and 7 meg service.

Teksavvy are ok; if you live anywhere near Ottawa I'd go with NCF over Tek, but Velcom over either (purely for cheapness; their customer service is not supposed to be all that good, but holy crap, it's $28 instead of $47).

Le0

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #4 on: December 03, 2013, 06:35:52 PM »
Instead of going with hideously expensive mobile data, consider going with an alternate carrier that uses Bell's infrastructure (if it's available in your area), like Teksavvy. Lots of Canucks on the forums here use them.

I looked into then,  but you have to buy the modem and the router and the setup fees etc.  We think we might move to Europe in the next year so I don't have enough time to make it back in savings.

Daley

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2013, 08:43:33 PM »
I looked into then,  but you have to buy the modem and the router and the setup fees etc.  We think we might move to Europe in the next year so I don't have enough time to make it back in savings.

You've already got the DSL modem, if not TekSavvy, there must be some third party provider that lets you bring your own device. An ADSL2+ modem is an ADSL2+ modem. Check out the other providers mentioned by Dave.

Le0

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2013, 07:04:03 AM »
I looked into then,  but you have to buy the modem and the router and the setup fees etc.  We think we might move to Europe in the next year so I don't have enough time to make it back in savings.

You've already got the DSL modem, if not TekSavvy, there must be some third party provider that lets you bring your own device. An ADSL2+ modem is an ADSL2+ modem. Check out the other providers mentioned by Dave.

Bell rents me a router. Not modem. I have contacted velcom, awaiting a reply.

Daley

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2013, 08:05:18 AM »
Bell rents me a router. Not modem. I have contacted velcom, awaiting a reply.

You need a modem for the service to function. If Bell's only providing you with one device and it's a rented "router", then you own no equipment at all. Fortunately, DSL modems are a dome a dozen on Ebay, and owning your own router is always a good investment and easily resold if need be (though they're small, light, and easily power adapted).

Ottawa

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2013, 08:24:12 AM »
Teksavvy. Your choice of cable or DSL internet.

I've used both, recently switching from DSL to cable. They're fantastic and I don't need to be a cable or POTS line subscriber.

+1
Agree, have been with them now 13 months for both home phone and cable internet and had no real problems (I was down one night this fall due to Rogers hub upgrades):
Home Phone (TekTalk - unlimited North America and all kinds of cool gadgets) - $28.19
Internet (TekSavvy - 18Mbps with 300GB cap) - $45.14

daverobev

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2013, 07:18:11 PM »
Looks like you can get a 1Gb plan (pre-paid) from Wind for $10 a month at the moment, with a free SIM card.. so if you have an old AWS phone that can do hotspot and you need only minimal access, it might work for you!

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/wind-mobile-10-1gb-mobile-internet-plan-1417157/

I was on the $20 'unlimited' (but throttled after 5Gb) plan for a while. Ping wasn't great but it was bearable.

Le0

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #10 on: December 05, 2013, 06:55:47 AM »
Looks like you can get a 1Gb plan (pre-paid) from Wind for $10 a month at the moment, with a free SIM card.. so if you have an old AWS phone that can do hotspot and you need only minimal access, it might work for you!

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/wind-mobile-10-1gb-mobile-internet-plan-1417157/

I was on the $20 'unlimited' (but throttled after 5Gb) plan for a while. Ping wasn't great but it was bearable.

Yes we are seriously considering getting one of their routers and a 10gb internet plan.

We would have to change our internet ways huge. But I kinda really want to because of the lifestyle change.

Khao

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #11 on: December 05, 2013, 07:01:01 AM »
Check out this list of independant service providers : https://openmedia.ca/switch
Most of them are cheaper and have better packages than the big 3.

Ziggurat

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2013, 07:45:20 AM »
Has anyone used Start Communications?  Looks like they are Ontario only, but a while back I read good things about them on forums, while the TekSavvy comments were a bit mixed (seems like they have grown faster than they could really handle). At $39.95 for 25 Mbps they are a couple bucks cheaper than TekSavvy, at least in my area.  That's with 150 GB limit vs 300 GB, but the lower limit wouldn't be a problem for us.

Daley

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #13 on: December 05, 2013, 08:15:28 AM »
I looked into then,  but you have to buy the modem and the router and the setup fees etc.  We think we might move to Europe in the next year so I don't have enough time to make it back in savings.

Wind

Yes we are seriously considering getting one of their routers and a 10gb internet plan.

So let me get this straight... you've rejected the Teksavvy solution (6Mbps dry loop DSL for $32 a month plus tax after dry loop fees and $125 for their DSL modem and setup fee) because it'll cost too much and you won't recoup your savings versus Bell in time before moving to Europe; but the higher latency, slower, 10GB capped Wind mobile broadband solution at $35 a month plus tax, with a $25 SIM card and $100 GSM/AWS mobile hotspot is okay?

And that's not even considering the alternatives listed on Khao's latest post where you can bring your own DSL modem and router for way cheaper... or cable internet through any of these same providers.

We would have to change our internet ways huge. But I kinda really want to because of the lifestyle change.

What matters is self discipline if you're wanting to use less bandwidth, not the provider. If you want to use less, use less. Setup and monthly cost is the true factor on whether it's financially conducive to switch from Bell before you move... and if Teksavvy doesn't make financial sense, then you need to accept that your Wind Mobile plan as presented doesn't either.

Khao

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #14 on: December 05, 2013, 08:30:22 AM »
Also, routers/modems are often easy to find on Kijiji/craigslist for under 40$

Daley

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #15 on: December 05, 2013, 08:33:57 AM »
Also, routers/modems are often easy to find on Kijiji/craigslist for under 40$

...and can be resold for nearly the same amount you paid for it. (Not to say that used mobile hotspots couldn't be done similarly, but there's a whole lot more used routers and DSL/cable modems than mobile hotspots for the money.)

Le0

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #16 on: December 05, 2013, 10:16:23 AM »
I looked into then,  but you have to buy the modem and the router and the setup fees etc.  We think we might move to Europe in the next year so I don't have enough time to make it back in savings.

Wind

Yes we are seriously considering getting one of their routers and a 10gb internet plan.

So let me get this straight... you've rejected the Teksavvy solution (6Mbps dry loop DSL for $32 a month plus tax after dry loop fees and $125 for their DSL modem and setup fee) because it'll cost too much and you won't recoup your savings versus Bell in time before moving to Europe; but the higher latency, slower, 10GB capped Wind mobile broadband solution at $35 a month plus tax, with a $25 SIM card and $100 GSM/AWS mobile hotspot is okay?

And that's not even considering the alternatives listed on Khao's latest post where you can bring your own DSL modem and router for way cheaper... or cable internet through any of these same providers.

We would have to change our internet ways huge. But I kinda really want to because of the lifestyle change.

What matters is self discipline if you're wanting to use less bandwidth, not the provider. If you want to use less, use less. Setup and monthly cost is the true factor on whether it's financially conducive to switch from Bell before you move... and if Teksavvy doesn't make financial sense, then you need to accept that your Wind Mobile plan as presented doesn't either.

Wind would come to $30 plus tax with a $100 router. $5 discount for also having a phone with them.

Techsavvy was going to cost;

44.95 Activation
99 Modem
10 Shipping
--------------------------------
153.95 Total

-20 modem discount
--------------------------------
133.95 Final


50 - 80 Router
--------------------------------
183.95 to 213.95 Total after Router

Then I believe it is pay it forward. So a months worth of service. Just to start. The savings I would make between the monthly amounts divided by the total outlay was going to take more months than we plan to spend in Canada.

Thats where my math cam from.

However I am now looking into to other options. I approached a neighbor about sharing internet (however they seem not super inclined) and velcom has been contacted.

daverobev

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #17 on: December 05, 2013, 11:43:43 AM »
Now, you don't need a modem AND a router.

I'm using a TP-Link TD-W8960N which does the job - cost about $45 or $50 IIRC. DSL modem with 4-port wired and wireless.

Honestly, Velcom are.. stupidly cheap. Yes there is a $100 'set-up' fee but after that you're in the clear - $28 a month.

Again, I used the $20 Wind plan and it was fine.. ping was pretty mediocre but hey. Paying more than $28 for internet when it'd be worse seems silly.

Le0

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #18 on: December 05, 2013, 12:06:58 PM »
Now, you don't need a modem AND a router.

I'm using a TP-Link TD-W8960N which does the job - cost about $45 or $50 IIRC. DSL modem with 4-port wired and wireless.

Honestly, Velcom are.. stupidly cheap. Yes there is a $100 'set-up' fee but after that you're in the clear - $28 a month.

Again, I used the $20 Wind plan and it was fine.. ping was pretty mediocre but hey. Paying more than $28 for internet when it'd be worse seems silly.

I think you have to buy Teksavvy's modem. And if I read the website correctly they only allow you to use specific modems. If you buy through them they give you $20 off.

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #19 on: December 05, 2013, 12:10:19 PM »
Hmm...teksavvy just informed me by email that the rate is going up by $2 per month. 
Quote
“We are writing to inform you that your service price with TekSavvy is changing. On January 1st, 2014, your monthly rate will be changing from $46.95 to $48.95 for OID: 226644. Your speed and monthly usage will be unaffected. No action is required on your part. TekSavvy will automatically make the updates to your account. Any invoices issued on or after January 1, 2014 will have the new price included. This allows 30 days for you call in and make changes if you would like to. To help monitor your usage, TekSavvy will provide a new and improved customer portal. We anticipate the beta version of the customer portal will be available in December 2013. You may refuse this rate increase and cancel your contract with TekSavvy without cost, penalty or cancellation indemnity by sending us a notice to that effect no later than 30 days after the amendment comes into force. If you have any questions about these changes, please feel free to call us so we can discuss them with you. You can find an FAQ on these account changes here. TekSavvy Solutions Inc 800 Richmond Street Chatham, ON N7M 5J5″


source: http://rodneyreynolds.com/2013/12/02/teksavvys-rates-are-increasing/

« Last Edit: December 05, 2013, 12:12:37 PM by Ottawa »

daverobev

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #20 on: December 05, 2013, 12:44:46 PM »
Now, you don't need a modem AND a router.

I'm using a TP-Link TD-W8960N which does the job - cost about $45 or $50 IIRC. DSL modem with 4-port wired and wireless.

Honestly, Velcom are.. stupidly cheap. Yes there is a $100 'set-up' fee but after that you're in the clear - $28 a month.

Again, I used the $20 Wind plan and it was fine.. ping was pretty mediocre but hey. Paying more than $28 for internet when it'd be worse seems silly.

I think you have to buy Teksavvy's modem. And if I read the website correctly they only allow you to use specific modems. If you buy through them they give you $20 off.

http://teksavvy.com/en/support/product/internet/dsl

Do I need a new modem?

You can use your own modem, but it must support G.DMT and be PPPoE configurable. If you are upgrading from a speed slower than our DSL10 to anything higher, you are likely to require a new modem. For DSL25, you must rent a modem.  Telus® modems are not compatible with our service.

Le0

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #21 on: December 05, 2013, 01:18:50 PM »
Hmm...teksavvy just informed me by email that the rate is going up by $2 per month. 
Quote
“We are writing to inform you that your service price with TekSavvy is changing. On January 1st, 2014, your monthly rate will be changing from $46.95 to $48.95 for OID: 226644. Your speed and monthly usage will be unaffected. No action is required on your part. TekSavvy will automatically make the updates to your account. Any invoices issued on or after January 1, 2014 will have the new price included. This allows 30 days for you call in and make changes if you would like to. To help monitor your usage, TekSavvy will provide a new and improved customer portal. We anticipate the beta version of the customer portal will be available in December 2013. You may refuse this rate increase and cancel your contract with TekSavvy without cost, penalty or cancellation indemnity by sending us a notice to that effect no later than 30 days after the amendment comes into force. If you have any questions about these changes, please feel free to call us so we can discuss them with you. You can find an FAQ on these account changes here. TekSavvy Solutions Inc 800 Richmond Street Chatham, ON N7M 5J5″

source: http://rodneyreynolds.com/2013/12/02/teksavvys-rates-are-increasing/

I think it is because they are connected to the same networks as rogers and bell.

Le0

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #22 on: December 05, 2013, 01:21:21 PM »
Thanks for all the suggestions I will be looking into all of them. We are in the middle of trying to figure everything out.

We have plans to go to Europe in September for maybe a year. However since it is still undecided I want to make sure I am saving as much as possible.

Kazimieras

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Re: Bell Internet Canada
« Reply #23 on: December 06, 2013, 10:23:18 AM »
I think it is because they are connected to the same networks as rogers and bell.

Teksavvy is a reseller, so they use the same network that is owned by Rogers or Bell. The CRTC required Bell and Rogers to sell bandwidth on their infrastructure since it was initially built using public funds.

I am a big fan of Teksavvy and have signed up over 30 people to the service. They are great, although the hookup can be tricky because of the complex relationship between them and the big telcos. It is very much worth it to buy your own modem with them, and most mom and pop shops will sell a compatable modem for 50% of the price Teksavvy offers.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!