Emergency Updates

Central Ontario ice storm:

Customers in parts of Central Ontario, including Barrie, Orillia, Georgian Bay, Peterborough and the Kawarthas are currently experiencing service interruptions due to impacts from the ice storm on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, 2025. During this time, residential Internet, TV, voice and mobility services may be impacted in the affected areas

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 southern Ontario and the GTA on standby to support restoration


• 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

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.

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. Internet: troubleshooting tools, virtual repair tool and support

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