Data usage thresholds and text message notifications
Bell sends a variety of text message notifications when you reach certain thresholds of data usage and data usage charges. The information below outlines types of notifications that you may receive.
You can track your data usage, including roaming usage, in MyBell and the MyBell app.
Plus, check out our tips for managing data usage.
Standard data plans (including Prepaid plans)
- Notifications are sent when you reach 95% of the monthly data usage included in your plan, and when you reach $50, $300 and $500 in additional data usage charges.
- On shared plans, data usage is calculated from all users in the plan, and all users will receive notifications.
- When the account reaches $50 in data charges, data is blocked for the remainder of the billing period. Only the account holder or an authorized user can unblock data on behalf of the account (their notifications will include a link to unblock data in MyBell).
- Similarly, data is blocked for the entire account when it reaches $100 in pay-per-use data roaming charges (excludes charges for Roam Better). Once blocked, pay-per-use roaming is no longer available. Account holders and authorized users can unblock data for the account by purchasing a Data Travel Pass or enrolling in Roam Better.
Examples:
95% of included data usage – You have used over 95% of data this month. Less than 100 MB is available until (next bill date).
$50 in pay-per-use or overage data charges – Your account has reached $50 in additional data charges. As required by law, we've temporarily blocked data usage until DD/MM/YY
$300 in pay-per-use or overage data charges – This mobile number has reached $300 in additional data charges this billing period. Continued usage will be billed at $XX/MB. To check your mobile usage and manage your data options, visit: bell.ca/mobilityusage
$500 in pay-per-use or overage data charges – This mobile number has reached $500 of additional data charges this billing period. To check your mobile usage and manage your data options, visit: bell.ca/mobilityusage
Customers with the data block feature enabled
- To unblock data for the remainder of the current billing period, open your phone’s web browser and select “Accept” in the notification screen.
- Only the account holder or an authorized user can unblock data.
- Pay-per-use data rates will apply.
Example:
You’ve attempted to use data on your phone however, it is blocked. To enable pay-per-use data, open your browser and select accept
Unlimited Data plans
- Notifications are sent when you reach 95% and 100% of the maximum speed data usage included in your plan.
- These plans have no data overage charges. Additional data usage is at speeds of up to 512 Kbps for the remainder of the billing period.
Examples:
95% of maximum speed data usage – You’ve used 9.5GB of data. Once you reach 10GB, data usage for the remainder of this billing period will be at speeds up to 512 Kbps for light web browsing, email and texting. To manage your account, call 1 800 667-0123. ( bell.ca/reach-us )
100% of maximum speed data usage – You have reached 10 GB of data usage. Continued data usage for the remainder of this billing period will be at speeds up to 512 Kbps for light web browsing, email and texting. To manage your account, call 1 800 667-0123. ( bell.ca/reach-us )