Internet Traffic Management Practices (ITMP)

Bell is continually investing in our networks to keep up with the growing demands of our customers’ communications needs in order to provide the best experience possible. In certain circumstances, Bell may need to manage speeds or other aspects of our networks. These ITMP notices describes such measures.

Mobile Broadband for First Responders

What is Mobile Broadband for First Responders?
Mobile Broadband for First Responders (MBFR) addresses the needs of emergency first responders, public safety officials and critical infrastructure personnel using our LTE network. MBFR provides these customers with priority access to the LTE network during rare periods where demand for LTE network resources exceeds expected peak capacity (MBFR Events).

When might MBFR Events occur?
MBFR Events are rare. Some examples include natural disasters, threats to public safety or widespread power outages. They occur when demand for LTE network resources exceeds expected peak capacity. This could be a result of demand exceeding engineered thresholds for (i) the actual physical network resources of the cell site and/or (ii) the processing capacity at one or more cell sites.

What are the MBFR impacts?
During a MBFR Event, non-MBFR users may experience negligibly slower speeds and slightly delayed response times when using certain data services, such as browsing and watching videos. In rare cases, data services and/or voice calls may need to be re-initiated. 9-1-1 service is never affected.

Bell Unlimited Data plans

How do Bell Unlimited Data plans work?
Our Unlimited Data plans allow customers to use a specified amount of data (with plans starting at 10 GB) at the maximum data speeds available on our network. Once the allotted maximum amount of data is used within a billing cycle, customers can continue to use data at speeds reduced to a maximum of 512 kilobits per second (Kbps) without incurring data overage charges. The reduced speed will last until the end of the billing cycle following which the customer will once again have access to maximum data speeds.

Which customers are impacted?
All Bell customers who subscribe to Bell Unlimited Data plans will have their data speeds reduced once they have used the monthly data allotted for access at maximum speeds.

What is the impact on data speeds?
Data speeds are reduced from the maximum speed available on our network to speeds of up to 512 Kbps, suitable for light web browsing, email and messaging. Applications that require higher speeds (such as video streaming) will be affected by the data speed reduction.

What happens if I have an Unlimited Data plan and I subscribe to the travel feature Roam Better - with home data?
Please refer to "Roam Better - with home data: reduced data speeds above 500 MB", below.

Roam Better - with home data: reduced data speeds above 500 MB

What is the impact on data speeds when roaming?
Data speeds are reduced from maximum download speeds to speeds of up to 512 kilobits per second (Kbps). Roam Better - with home data users should still be able to access email, light web browsing and messaging. Applications that require higher speeds (such as video streaming) may be affected by the data speed reduction.

What if I have the Roam Better - with home data feature and a Bell Unlimited Data plan?
If you have the Roam Better – with home data feature and either a Canada Unlimited Data plan, or a Canada/U.S. Unlimited Data plan, your data usage while roaming in a Roam Better – with home data destination will not count towards your maximum speed allotment within Canada, or within Canada and the U.S. for Canada/U.S. Unlimited Data plans customers. Data speeds will still be reduced after 500 MB per day while roaming in all Roam Better – with home data destinations, except in the case of the U.S. if you also have a Canada/U.S. Unlimited Data plan.

What is the Internet Traffic Management Practice (ITMP) for Wireless Home Internet and when will it occur?

Wireless Home Internet customers who subscribe to the Wireless Home Internet 25 package with no extra usage fees^[1] will not be impacted by the ITMP until they hit 1 TB (terabyte) of usage within a given bill period. Once a customer exceeds 1 TB of usage within a bill period, the download speed will be up to 1 Mbps until the start of the next bill period. At that time, the download speed will return to up to 25 Mbps.

Why are we implementing this ITMP? 

Traffic management is necessary to deliver a consistent and reliable online experience for all users, and to preserve network integrity.

Who is impacted by the Wireless Home Internet ITMP?

Wireless Home Internet customers who subscribe to a capped usage plan (i.e. a plan that includes 350 GB of usage) are not subject to this ITMP. This ITMP only applies to customers who subscribe to the Wireless Home Internet 25 package with no extra usage fees.

What type of traffic is subject to the ITMP? 

All Internet traffic for Wireless Home Internet customers subscribed to the Wireless Home Internet 25 package with no extra usage fees is subject to this ITMP. Upload and download activity both contribute to the total amount of usage. However, once a customer reaches 1 TB of total usage, only the download speed is impacted.

How will this ITMP impact my experience?

When Wireless Home Internet 25 users are impacted by this ITMP and their download speed is reduced, it will take longer to download files, and users may experience buffering while streaming video or music.

Will I be charged for any usage above 1 TB?

No, customers who exceed 1 TB of usage during a bill period will not incur overage fees.

ITMP for wireline Internet

There are currently no active Internet Traffic Management Practices (ITMP) that slow down Internet traffic on Bell retail wireline Internet services. Bell has a long history of building state-of-the-art networks where investment in network capacity, tools and engineering resources help to manage network capacity and congestion.