It seems that the Big Three – Rogers, Bell or Telus – in Canada are always changing their plans or data services, and that is usually not a good sign for the customers. Our source had information that Bell is going to change their data overage amounts from $.05 per megabyte to $.06 a megabyte and will be amending the names of their plans – effective today. Today, Bell’s website was updated to reflect those changes, and while the increase in data overage pricing is higher priced than either Rogers or Telus, who remain at five cents, the renaming is less confusing for potential customers and a welcomed change.
The top tier for Bell’s flagship smartphones – read that as Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, the Galaxy S6 series, Galaxy Note 5, iPhone 6S, Nexus 6P, LG G5, etc. – on a two-year contract changed from a Plus to Premium Plan. There you have a choice of a $60 per month plan with unlimited local calling or a $65 per month plan with unlimited nationwide calling. Both plans include unlimited nationwide text, picture and video messaging, unlimited access to Canada’s largest WiFi network including McDonalds, Tim Hortons, Indigo and Chapters locations, where applicable. You also receive Call Display, Message Centre, Conference Calling and Call Waiting. There is a one-time connection fee of $15 and an SIM card charge of $9.95 that may apply. After you chose the plan, you then must pick your data allowance for each month – 500MB for $20 per month up to 15GB for $100 per month, with the most popular selection being 2.5GB of shareable data for $35 per month.
Bell’s Lite Plans for a mid-range smartphone – iPhone 5S, Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy A5, Moto X Play, Sony Xperia M4 Aqua, etc. – are just called their Smartphone Plan. They cost $55 or $50 per month depending on whether or not you get unlimited nationwide calling or local calling. The remaining options are the same as the Premium Plans, as are the data buckets and pricing. The last share plan is now called BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and Bell is charging the same as they would for a Smartphone plan – $55 or $50 per month. The Premium and Smartphone Plans offer a bonus access to Mobile TV for 24 months for a two-year term, but there are a few restrictions in the fine print.