How we deliver best-in-class networks

How our award-winning networks work

Both of our networks are built with fibres, bringing the best experiences to our customers.

Fibre-optic cables are made of hundreds of thin strands of glass – or fibres – each about one-tenth the size of a human hair. These cables are installed in a sophisticated network of paths that can be overhead, underground or underwater, depending on location.

Unlike traditional copper cables, fibre cables use light instead of electricity to transmit data, making them faster and more reliable. With a fibre connection your data literally moves at the speed of light and you get consistently fast upload and download speeds.

Data centres

STEP 1

Data centres

Often referred to as the brains of the network, these centres contain key network infrastructure, like servers, encryption, and authentication. They provide connectivity to central offices, sending and receiving data over large fibre trunk lines.
Central offices

STEP 2

Central offices

These offices send and receive information from the data centres, which is then distributed to homes, businesses and neighbourhoods in the area via our fibre cables. Bell has Canada's largest fibre-optic network – covering more than 240,000 total kilometres.
Fibre distribution

STEP 3

Fibre distribution

Bell offers two fast, fibre-powered Internet technologies. Depending on where you live, fibre is either brought right to your neighbourhood or, in a growing number of areas, straight to your home.
Fibre-to-the-home

STEP 4

Fibre-to-the-home

Fibre is connected directly to each home, no additional copper cable required. With fibre straight to your home you get the fastest Internet technology.
Fibre-to-the-
neighbourhood

STEP 5

Fibre-to-the-
neighbourhood

Fibre is connected to a central unit in the neighbourhood, then individual copper cables are used to connect to each home.

STEP 1

Data centres

Often referred to as the brains of the network, these centres contain key network infrastructure, like servers, encryption, and authentication. They provide connectivity to central offices, sending and receiving data over large fibre trunk lines.

STEP 2

Central offices

These offices send and receive information from the data centres, which is then distributed to homes, businesses and neighbourhoods in the area via our fibre cables. Bell has Canada's largest fibre-optic network – covering more than 240,000 total kilometres.

STEP 3

Fibre distribution

Bell offers two fast, fibre-powered Internet technologies. Depending on where you live, fibre is either brought right to your neighbourhood or, in a growing number of areas, straight to your home.

STEP 4

Fibre-to-the-home

Fibre is connected directly to each home, no additional copper cable required. With fibre straight to your home you get the fastest Internet technology.

STEP 5

Fibre-to-the-
neighbourhood

Fibre is connected to a central unit in the neighbourhood, then individual copper cables are used to connect to each home.

Our journey from
copper to fibre

For years, copper wires were the backbone of our networks. With the introduction of fibre technology, Bell took a leadership role in building out fibre networks to bring Canadians the fastest and most reliable network technology. Our initiative to replace copper cables with fibre ones requires an investment of billions of dollars, but the paybacks are substantial – customers will enjoy better connectivity and the environment will be better for it.

Comparing copper and fibre
	Fibre	Copper
Faster data transmission	Data is translated into light pulses, then sent along a fibre within the cable. Once they reach their destination, the light pulses are converted into webpages, emails, television show streams, video calls, and more.	Data is translated into electric pulses, then travels along the copper cables. Once they arrive at the receiving end, the electric pulses are converted back into the original data form.
Faster speeds	Customers can get the fastest speeds with Bell pure fibre Internet. Future fibre upgrades will deliver even faster speeds to more Canadians.	Customers can get speeds of up to 100 Mbps with copper-based Internet services.
Reliable technology	Fibre cables aren’t affected by electromagnetic interference because they use light to transmit data, not electricity. Fibre is also more durable and less impacted by environmental issues, such as water or extreme temperatures.	Because they are electrical conductors, copper cables can be affected by electrical interference and environmental factors, causing deterioration over time.

Cellular networks are made up of cells (also known as cell sites), which provide wireless connectivity to a geographical area. The size of these cell sites varies and is based on location, terrain, and population density. For example, in urban areas with higher population density and more network usage, there tend to be more cell sites that are smaller in size.

The Bell network is made up of over 25,000 cell sites across the country, covering 99% of the Canadian population¹. Cell sites are connected to our extensive fibre-optic network, the world’s best network technology, for a faster and more reliable connection.

Data centres

STEP 1

Data centres

This is where the complex networking components for 5G+/5G, 4G, and 3G networks are housed. Often referred to as the brains of the network, these components manage voice and data connectivity, encrypt and authenticate data, and much more.
Central offices

STEP 2

Central offices

These offices provide fibre connectivity to cell sites. The entire Bell 5G network is backed by fibre, the world’s best network technology, for a faster and more reliable network.
Cell sites

STEP 3

Cell sites

Each site translates fibre into wireless connectivity, then transmits data over the air. With Bell, you get access to over 25,000 cell towers across Canada – that’s over 2 times more than the next-largest network.²
Mobile devices

STEP 4

Mobile devices

Cell sites send and receive data from mobile devices, continuously communicating to ensure the best performance and reliability. Bell is the most-awarded 5G network in Canada. It is currently ranked the best³ and fastest network⁴.

STEP 1

Data centres

This is where the complex networking components for 5G+/5G, 4G, and 3G networks are housed. Often referred to as the brains of the network, these components manage voice and data connectivity, encrypt and authenticate data, and much more.

STEP 2

Central offices

These offices provide fibre connectivity to cell sites. The entire Bell 5G network is backed by fibre, the world’s best network technology, for a faster and more reliable network.

STEP 3

Cell sites

Each site translates fibre into wireless connectivity, then transmits data over the air. With Bell, you get access to over 25,000 cell towers across Canada – that’s over 2 times more than the next-largest network.²

STEP 4

Mobile devices

Cell sites send and receive data from mobile devices, continuously communicating to ensure the best performance and reliability. Bell is the most-awarded 5G network in Canada. It is currently ranked the best³ and fastest network⁴.

What we do to keep them working

Bell’s dedicated team of 19,000 network and field technicians are continuously monitoring, upgrading, repairing and optimizing our network, all with the shared goal of providing Canadians with the absolute best experience. We work with a variety of stakeholders – including power partners, city services, government officials and internal teams – to keep systems up and running.

Our efforts are divided into two main areas:

Real-time, end-to-end, 24/7 service monitoring across each layer of our networks
Continually deploying the latest software enhancements to provide the best performance, security and reliability
Lab testing all network upgrades to avoid negative impacts to our customers
For example, we are currently running lab tests in climate chambers, similar to what power companies use, to ensure our cables can stand up to both high and low temperatures prior to installation. This is becoming increasingly important given climate changes.
Proactively repositioning our wireless antennas throughout the day to provide the best wireless coverage and support
Continuously improving our resources and processes to ensure we always use state of the art equipment and the most up to date technology

**Érik Lagacé**
Bell Field Services Advanced
Technician
Joined in 2010

How we respond when issues arise

There are different types of network outages that we can experience as a company, from storm or weather-related issues to equipment breaks. Our response is based on the unique needs of the event, but we always have the same goal in mind – getting our customers reconnected as quickly as possible while taking into account the health and safety of both our customers and our team.

Power

NETWORK IMPACT

Power

Severe storms, like tornadoes and hurricanes, can result in power outages for an extended period of time. Our fibre network needs electricity to provide connectivity, so without it, there is no Internet. To ensure we can keep the network online, data centres and central offices are equipped with backup generators that are triggered in the event of an outage. Generators have a limited amount of power, so in the event of a long outage, teams have to replace or refuel generators (once it is safe to do so) until full power is restored.
Cables

NETWORK IMPACT

Cables

Third-party construction can cut or damage underground fibre cables during excavation. As a result, technicians need to remove and replace the damaged cables, then splice each individual fibre together to re-establish a connection to the network.
Connectivity

NETWORK IMPACT

Connectivity

Storms, construction and wildlife can also damage the poles and overhead cables that bring power and connectivity to homes, businesses and neighbourhoods. Once power has been restored, technicians must manually restore on-site connectivity by repairing wires and resetting modems.
Equipment

NETWORK IMPACT

Equipment

Storms, third-party construction and even wildlife can disrupt network distribution by damaging poles, cables and other equipment. Once it is safe, network technicians have to remove and replace damaged equipment to restore network connectivity.

NETWORK IMPACT

Power

Severe storms, like tornadoes and hurricanes, can result in power outages for an extended period of time. Our fibre network needs electricity to provide connectivity, so without it, there is no Internet. To ensure we can keep the network online, data centres and central offices are equipped with backup generators that are triggered in the event of an outage. Generators have a limited amount of power, so in the event of a long outage, teams have to replace or refuel generators (once it is safe to do so) until full power is restored.

NETWORK IMPACT

Cables

Third-party construction can cut or damage underground fibre cables during excavation. As a result, technicians need to remove and replace the damaged cables, then splice each individual fibre together to re-establish a connection to the network.

NETWORK IMPACT

Connectivity

Storms, construction and wildlife can also damage the poles and overhead cables that bring power and connectivity to homes, businesses and neighbourhoods. Once power has been restored, technicians must manually restore on-site connectivity by repairing wires and resetting modems.

NETWORK IMPACT

Equipment

Storms, third-party construction and even wildlife can disrupt network distribution by damaging poles, cables and other equipment. Once it is safe, network technicians have to remove and replace damaged equipment to restore network connectivity.

Power

NETWORK IMPACT

Power

Severe storms, like tornadoes and hurricanes, can cause long power outages. Our network needs power to provide connectivity, so without it there is no connectivity. When power goes out, battery backup systems come on at all our wireless sites, which can keep a site operating for several hours. Once it is safe, we send our teams to install generators at sites that completely lost power, restoring network connectivity to the area.
Cables

NETWORK IMPACT

Cables

Third-party construction can cut or damage underground fibre cables during excavation. As a result, technicians need to remove and replace the damaged cables, then splice each individual fibre together to re-establish a connection to the network.
Equipment

NETWORK IMPACT

Equipment

Storms, third-party construction and even wildlife can disrupt network distribution by damaging equipment on cell sites. Once it is safe, network technicians have to remove and replace damaged equipment to restore network connectivity.

NETWORK IMPACT

Power

Severe storms, like tornadoes and hurricanes, can cause long power outages. Our network needs power to provide connectivity, so without it there is no connectivity. When power goes out, battery backup systems come on at all our wireless sites, which can keep a site operating for several hours. Once it is safe, we send our teams to install generators at sites that completely lost power, restoring network connectivity to the area.

NETWORK IMPACT

Cables

NETWORK IMPACT

Equipment

Storms, third-party construction and even wildlife can disrupt network distribution by damaging equipment on cell sites. Once it is safe, network technicians have to remove and replace damaged equipment to restore network connectivity.

Weather-
related events

These can include hurricanes, tornadoes, snow or ice storms and extreme weather conditions.

Third-party disruptions

These can include cable cuts during construction, and power outages.

Equipment and system failures

These can include heating and cooling issues, normal wear and tear, and electrical component failures.

Weather-
related events

These can include hurricanes, tornadoes, snow or ice storms and extreme weather conditions.

Third-party disruptions

These can include cable cuts during construction, and power outages.

Equipment and system failures

These can include heating and cooling issues, normal wear and tear, and electrical component failures.

Weather-related events

Before a large storms, we start our internal emergency response process and closely monitor the evolving situation. Our activities include:

Setting up a 24/7 planning and coordination Corporate Emergency Operations Center
A proactive network review to ensure network stability
Preparing our wireless cell sites to maximize battery life
Ensuring our generators and vehicles are topped up with fuel
Repositioning generators to critical sites that support high-density fibre routes and public safety communications
Securing additional mobile generators and fuel in affected areas
Adding crews from other regions to support affected areas if needed
Providing technicians with refresher training on how to work safely in hazardous conditions
Communicating with applicable provincial Emergency Management Offices, premiers’ offices, key federal ministers and other local partners to ensure effective coordination and support
Working collaboratively with other network providers, like Telus and Rogers

Equipment and system failures

As part of our ongoing activities and standard practices, we:

Build end-to-end network path redundancy so if one part of the system fails, communications can flow automatically to another path
Implement multiple redundant systems where we believe the risk of system failure is higher or will have a bigger impact on customers
Stress test and run fire drills on systems to ensure they can perform even in the most difficult situations
Test and monitor our systems 24/7 to detect conditions for failure before they actually occur, allowing us to proactively mitigate before customers are affected
Store spare equipment at all of our locations for quick access when needed

Repair in action

Learn more about our networks

Canada’s most awarded 5G network

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The fastest upload speeds with the fastest Internet technology

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See the current state of the Bell network in your area.

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Based on total square km of coverage on the shared LTE network available from Bell vs. Rogers’ LTE network.
Based on total number of cell towers on the shared network available from Bell vs. Rogers’ network.
Based on a third party score (Global Wireless Solutions OneScore™) calculated using wireless network testing in Canada against other national wireless networks of combined data, voice, reliability and network coverage.

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A network
at the
forefront
of innovation

How our award-winning networks work

Our journey from
copper to fibre

What we do to keep them working