Bell Reviews and Plans

Although many of us don’t talk on the phone as much as we used to in our personal lives, there is still a great need for reliable and full-featured phone systems in the world of business. Phone-based sales and customer service are still significant components of many Canadian businesses, which require a modern phone system in order to remain competitive. One of the largest providers of business phone plans in Canada is Bell. While the company’s plans are more expensive than most, Bell’s reliability and a wide array of services make them an attractive option for both small and large businesses alike. 

Why choose a Bell Phone for your Business?

When it comes to choosing a Bell business phone, one of the main advantages is the wide variety of options available. In addition to traditional landline options, Bell also offers a VoIP (Voice over IP) service called Bell Total Connect (BTC) as part of Bell business phone systems. Here’s how the Bell small business phone plans break down, price-wise:

Traditional Bell Business Landline

Basic Business Line:

• $37.65/month on a 3-year term
• The best option for setting up a secondary or extra phone line
• Send and Receive Faxes
• Set up a point-of-sale system

Fully-Featured Line:

• $45.40/month on a 3-year term. Goes up to $90.40/month at the end of the term.
• The best option for a primary phone line
• Multiple cores calling features such as voicemail and call transfer included

Bell Business Digital/VoIP

BTC Fully-Featured

• $45.95/month on a 3-year term
• 17 calling features including voicemail, voicemail-to-email, and remote office
• Mobile App: to keep you connected anywhere

The lowest cost option for a Bell Canada business phone is the Basic Business Line. Essentially, this is Bell’s a la carte option, as the included features are minimal and each extra feature comes at an increased cost. The Basic Business Line would work best for someone looking to have a separate business phone number from their residential one but with the overall lack of features, most businesses will want to spring for one of Bell’s other small business phone options.

At first glance, Bell’s two top-tier business phone options look almost identical. Both services are referred to as “Fully-Featured” and only have a $0.55/month difference in price. Upon closer inspection, what’s different about the services is that one is landline-based and the other represents Bell’s VoIP offering. The Fully-Featured landline option is priced at $45.95 on a 3-year term, which is significantly more expensive than the Basic Business Line. However, that premium price comes with 9 additional features including call waiting and voicemail which you otherwise would have to add individually to the Basic Business Line at an additional cost.

As for the Fully-Featured Bell Total Connect, you’ll receive a total of 17 calling features and a mobile app, which allows you to access the full suite of BTC features from anywhere. With the overwhelming additional value provided by BTC, the only reason we can think of to choose one of Bell’s landline business phone options is if reliability is a major concern, as Bell promises that your line will still work during a power outage.

Bell Phone Bundle Options for Business

Unsurprisingly, Bell also offers its advanced phone system bundled with internet packages. While these packages represent good value upfront, be wary of the fixed-term contract, as the monthly price on each bundle more than doubles after the 3-year term. Here is how the bundles' breakdown:

Bell Business Fibe 25

• $84.95/mo. 3 Year-Term
• Up to 25 Mbps Download
• Up to 10 Mbps Upload
• Unlimited Monthly Usage
• 20 calling features including 
• Call Display, Voicemail, and Voicemail to email
• Unlimited Long Distance

Bell Business Fibe 300

• $89.95/mo. 3 Year-Term
• Up to 300 Mbps Download
• Up to 300 Mbps Upload
• Unlimited Monthly Usage
• 20 calling features including 
• Call Display, Voicemail, and Voicemail to email
• Unlimited Long Distance

Bell Business Gigabit

• $99.95/mo. 3 Year-Term
• Up to 940 Mbps Download
• Up to 940 Mbps Upload
• Unlimited Monthly Usage
• 20 calling features including 
• Call Display, Voicemail, and Voicemail to email
• Unlimited Long Distance

If you are considering choosing Bell for your business phone needs, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of doing so. Signing up with one of Canada’s big telecom companies comes with a certain peace of mind, as Bell has the advantage of offering wide-ranging coverage, a wealth of services, and reliable infrastructure. The drawback is that you’ll be paying a premium for a Bell small business phone number and will also be locked into a 3-year term. As with any purchase, it’s important to do your research but it’s hard to deny that Bell’s suite of business phone solutions is an attractive option if you can afford and justify the cost.

Features

Fax Capabilities
Fax to Email
Multiple Users:
Toll Free Numbers:
Web Management:
Area Code Selection:
Smartphone App:
Conference Calling

Call Blocking
Conference Calling
Fax Capabilities
Fax to Email
Call Forwarding
Call Hold
Call Transfer
Music Hold
Caller ID Name:
Call Waiting:
Web Management:
Do Not Disturb:
Multiple Users:
Area Code Selection:
Extra Number:
Toll Free Numbers:
BYOD:
Desktop App:
Smartphone App:
Enhanced VoiceMail:
VoiceMail to Email:

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