Emergency Updates

Central Ontario ice storm:

We have restored services to the majority of customers who were impacted by the March ice storm. Our teams will keep working until everyone’s services are fully restored.

Some customers may still be experiencing service interruptions due to damaged equipment that may take time to repair: residential Internet, TV, voice and mobility services may be impacted. If you see a downed phone line please report it immediately to us.

The majority of our wireless networks in the region are operational, including sites that are on battery back up systems or generators due to power outages. For the sites that are not operational due to power loss, we are prioritizing getting backup systems and generators to those sites where safe to do so.

Some customers in these areas may have difficulty reaching 9-1-1 due to local landline outages caused by the storm. Customers who need to access 9-1-1 should attempt to do so with their wireless device as wireless service impacts vary within each region.

Our preparations:

Bell’s network is designed to withstand extreme weather with extra layers of protection like redundancy paths, as well as network battery and generator backup systems to minimize the risk of disruption if commercial power is lost.

We have activated our internal emergency response process for 24/7 planning and coordination of our response to the evolving situation.

• Comprehensive network review to ensure stability


• Positioning generators to critical sites that support high-density fibre routes and public safety communications


• Crews and resources from across Ontario and Quebec supporting restoration efforts.


• Communicating with the Ontario EMO, premier’s office, key federal ministers and other local partners to ensure effective coordination and support


• Working collaboratively with other network providers and local power companies such as Hydro One

Network restoration after a severe weather event:

Here are the steps that happen between a severe weather event that has caused extended power outages and full network restoral to customers’ homes and businesses:

Step one: Commercial power is restored. Network technology runs on commercial power. Once commercial power is restored, our crews can get to work on restoring Internet services

Step two: Gain clearance from emergency services to safely access sites, which includes clearing downed trees and power lines

Step three: Repair damaged poles and cables

Step four: Reattach downed cables to homes and businesses

Once Power is Restored

Reminder to Internet and TV customers: As power is restored in your region, you may need to turn your modems and receivers off and on again to reboot service. Unplug the power cord to your modem for 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Please repeat these steps for all receivers.

If problems persist, you can also use our Virtual Repair Tool to check for outages in your area and troubleshoot the issues you're experiencing with Internet, TV or Home Phone.

See a downed phone line? Always assume they are live and dangerous and report it immediately at 310-BELL. Remember to stay at least 10 meters away, beware of trees touching overhead lines, and don’t attempt to handle them on your own.

Always report downed phone lines to ensure we can get appropriate priority and attention placed on fixes.

We will provide regular updates as the situation evolves. Please bookmark this page and check here to stay updated.