How to Use Wireless Internet Backup

Wireless Internet Backup keeps the people and devices in your home connected to Wi-Fi if ever your Internet service is interrupted, and your modem retains power.

How it works

If you have both Bell Mobility with a data plan and Bell Internet on one consolidated bill, you can set up your smartphone as a backup for your home Wi-Fi – there’s no extra equipment needed and no added cost.

If your Internet service is interrupted

While you’re at home, just switch your modem to Wireless Internet Backup and the devices on your Wi-Fi network will stay online, as long as your modem is powered.

No added cost

We’ll add 50 GB of complimentary mobile data to your Bell Mobility account to use for up to three days. If you go over 50 GB, the data from your mobile plan will be used.

Keep your home online

Just remember that your mobile device must be connected to your home Wi-Fi network and kept within range of your modem to set up and use Wireless Internet Backup. We recommend being in the same room as your modem for best connectivity while setting up.

Wireless Internet Backup requirements

To be eligible for Wireless Internet Backup, you need:

Bell Fibe Internet service (residential)
Bell Mobility service that includes mobile data
Bell Mobility smartphone with the MyBell app
Giga Hub modem
Internet and Mobility services on one consolidated bill

Setting up Wireless Internet Backup

Get set up ahead of time, so if there’s an interruption to your Internet service while you’re at home, you can just switch your modem to Wireless Internet Backup and your devices will be back online in one to two minutes.

Before you begin: Ensure that you have a Giga Hub modem connected to your home Internet service and that it is powered on. To set up and use Wireless Internet Backup, your mobile device must be connected to your home Wi-Fi network and kept within range of your modem. For best results, we recommend being in the same room as your modem.

On your mobile device, open the MyBell app or download it from your device’s app store.
Ensure that cellular data (mobile data) and Wi-Fi are turned on, and that you’re connected to your home Wi-Fi network.
- To turn on cellular data/mobile data:
  - iOS: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data>Ensure your active cellular plan is selected
  - Android: Settings > Connections (or Network & Internet) > Data Usage (or Mobile Networks) > Turn Mobile Data on
- To turn on Wi-Fi:
  - iOS: Settings > Wi-Fi > Turn Wi-Fi on > Connect to your home Wi-Fi network
  - Android: Settings > Connections (or Network & Internet) > Wi-Fi > Turn Wi-Fi on > Connect to your home Wi-Fi network
Open the MyBell app and log in.
Select Set up from the Wireless Internet Backup tile on your MyBell home page.
Once prompted, select Set up Wireless Internet Backup.
Ensure the hotspot on your mobile device is off, then enter your hotspot name and password.

iOS
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Touch Personal Hotspot.
3. Ensure Allow Others to Join is off.
4. Your Personal Hotspot password is displayed next to Wi-Fi Password.
5. Return to Settings.
6. Touch General then touch About.
7. The mobile device name shown beside Name is also the name of your Personal Hotspot.
Android
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Touch Connections (or Network & Internet).
3. Touch Mobile Hotspot & Tethering.
4. Touch Mobile Hotspot (or Wi-Fi Hotspot).
5. Ensure your hotspot is turned off.
6. Your hotspot name (Network Name) and password will be displayed. You may need to touch Configure (or Set up Wi-Fi Hotspot) to see or edit it.
Next, you’ll be prompted to turn on your hotspot.
Wireless Internet Backup will now connect your modem to your hotspot and test the connection.
Once testing is complete, you can then turn off your hotspot.

Wireless Internet Backup is now ready in case of an Internet service interruption.

During a service interruption

If there’s an interruption to your Internet service while you’re at home and your modem still has power, just switch your modem to Wireless Internet Backup and your devices will be back online in one to two minutes. We’ll add 50 GB of complimentary mobile data to your Bell Mobility phones linked to your Internet.

To switch your modem to Wireless Internet Backup:

On your mobile device, open the MyBell app and log in.
You’ll see an alert that a connection issue has been detected. Select Switch to Wireless Internet Backup.

Note: If you haven’t set up Wireless Internet Backup already, you’ll be prompted to set it up now.
Turn on your hotspot.

iOS
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Touch Personal Hotspot.
3. Turn on Allow Others to Join.
4. Go back to MyBell and select Turn on Wireless Internet Backup.
Android
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Touch Connections (or Network & Internet).
3. Touch Mobile Hotspot & Tethering.
4. Touch Mobile Hotspot (or Wi-Fi Hotspot).
5. Turn your hotspot on.
6. Go back to MyBell and select Turn on Wireless Internet Backup.
Wireless Internet Backup is now on and 50 GB of data has been added to your eligible Bell Mobility devices.
This data will stay on your account for three days. If you go over 50 GB, the data from your mobile plan will be used.

When your Internet service is restored, Wireless Internet Backup will automatically turn off and you can turn off your hotspot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Is there a monthly charge for Wireless Internet Backup?	No. Wireless Internet Backup is available to eligible customers who subscribe to both Bell Mobility and Internet services. There is no added cost and no extra equipment needed.
Will I be charged for data usage on my mobile phone during the service interruption?	During an Internet service interruption, we’ll add up to 50 GB of complimentary mobile data to your Bell Mobility account to use for up to three days. If you go over 50 GB, the data from your mobile plan will be used, which may incur charges.
How long does it take for Wireless Internet Backup to activate once a service interruption is detected?	Wireless Internet Backup doesn’t start automatically. If there’s an interruption to your Internet service while you’re at home, simply log in to MyBell on your mobile device and switch on Wireless Internet Backup. It only takes a minute or two for the modem to connect to your mobile device and restore Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity to your home. Note: If you haven’t set up your backup device ahead of time, it will take a few extra minutes for the initial setup process.
Will Wireless Internet Backup work if there is a power failure and the modem has no power?	No. During a power failure, your Internet service will still be delivered to your modem, but your modem requires an external power supply to function and provide Internet and Wi-Fi for your home. You can purchase an external power supply on bell.ca. Learn more.
Can any mobile device be used as the Wireless Internet Backup device?	No, only mobile phones or tablets with Bell Mobility service including mobile data on the same consolidated bill as your Internet service can be used as the backup device. If you ever need to use Wireless Internet Backup, Bell will provide each mobile device on the same consolidated Internet bill with up to 50 GB of complimentary mobile data to support you for up to three days.
Can I set up Wireless Internet Backup during a service interruption?	Yes. However, we recommend getting it set up and tested ahead of time to minimize the disruption to your home Wi-Fi.
What if my phone isn’t at home during the service interruption?	Your mobile device must be connected to your home Wi-Fi network and kept within range of your modem to set up and use Wireless Internet Backup. For best results, we recommend having the mobile device in the same room as the modem.
Will Wireless Internet Backup support every device connected to the modem?	Wireless Internet Backup will support devices connected through your Internet Wi-Fi (known as WAN service). When Wireless Internet backup is enabled, you can complete such actions as surfing, scrolling, emailing, video conferencing, watching Wi-Fi based streaming services and playing Wi-Fi-based games. Older TV and home telephone services (connected through a different connection called VLAN service) are not currently supported by Wireless Internet Backup. Depending on your specific configuration or device, some streaming devices using the Internet VLAN (like Roku) may be supported by Wireless Internet Backup.
What will the Internet speed be?	The speeds depend on the strength of your Mobility connection and will not be throttled through Wireless Internet Backup. Bell does not guarantee error-free or uninterrupted operation of Wireless Internet Backup, which may be provided with differences in speed and latency compared to the normal performance of Fibe Internet services. This service may be subject to restrictions due to mobile network capacity which will be impacted by traffic profile, including volume of users or number of mobility sites. See bell.ca/ITMP.

Wireless Internet Backup Terms of Service

Wireless Internet Backup

Service limitations

Performance

Bell does not guarantee error-free or uninterrupted operation of Wireless Internet Backup, which may be provided with differences in speed and latency compared to the normal performance of Fibe Internet services. This service may be subject to restrictions due to mobile network capacity which will be impacted by traffic profile including volume of users or number of mobility sites. See bell.ca/ITMP.
Power outages

Wireless Internet Backup does not protect against power outages, furthermore, Wireless Internet Backup requires the modem to be powered to function. Wireless Internet Backup applies only to Internet service interruptions to the Fibe Internet at your service address.
Service address

You may not move your Wireless Internet Backup Giga Hub modem outside of the Fibe Internet service address.
Home telephone services and 9-1-1

Home phone service, including Fibre Home phone service, is not supported with Wireless Internet Backup. You will not be able to dial 9-1-1 during a broadband outage, through either your Fibre Home phone or a third party Voice over IP (VoIP) phone. During a power failure, Fibre Home phone services, including access to 9-1-1 emergency services, will not function unless you have a backup power supply for your modem.
Data collection

Wireless Internet Backup collects your personal information in the form of all Internet traffic to and from your consumer device, including your website browsing data and network usage data, that is being transmitted when your Internet service fails. Bell will only use data collected to deliver the service and to troubleshoot any service issues. All data involved in Wireless Internet Backup is stored and processed in Canada.
MyBell app

Wireless Internet Backup is only compatible with the MyBell app.