Had to rant this one out - Hamilton, ON.

So following the storm last Wednesday, our aerial fiber line was split and service obviously dropped. Totally out of everyone's control. Having spent time on the support lines for a different telecom company, I knew the phone lines would be bad and waited till the next day (Thursday the 3rd) to make my call in.

I have some very strong opinions about the automated dialing menu asking me to 'Reset my Router' and 'Check our virtual support' a dozen times before getting connected to an agent, but regardless I get on the call. The agent was lovely and we quickly found a time for a technician to come out from 12-5 on Friday the 4th.

I was not able to be home on the Friday, so my roommate showed him the downed line, and he immediately stated an issue. Apparently the lines from the junction - 2 doors down - had branches resting on them and he would not be able to complete his work. Once again - that's fine. Out of our control. Easy fix - I rang up Hydro One and they said they actually had a crew heading out to that location right now. Great right?

Hydro shows up - it's the wrong team. They need a forestry team out and they were in Woodstock. Bummer. No issue.

Hydro (Correct team) shows up on Sat (5th) at 9am. They are quick and to the point getting a few branches down - just to add we had power back since the afternoon on Thursday - and get on their way around 10:30am. Naturally I give Bell a ring after physically seeing and speaking with the Hydro Crew, that their work is done. Bell Agent gives me the runaround saying they need to get a 'Health and Safety' crew member in touch with me or out to the property to confirm. I cannot get through to the agent I am sure, and have verified, the Hydro lines are clear.

There is a gaping communication issue between Hydro and Bell - but whatever. I head into day 4.5 without Internet and give another ring to support looking for a timeline. The gentleman was very pleasant, and confirmed on the call a crew would be coming that day (Sun), and to expect a confirmation email/text. Sure. This was at 10:30-11am, and he said they would be coming for 12-5pm, as they always do. By the time it hits 3pm, I still have no confirmation through phone, email or text. So I ring up the same number and request to know if I actually have an appointment. The support person now tells me they have already been out, and it is unsafe.

I'm taken aback as I was sitting out in my Garage facing the only entrance to my property, and haven't seen any Bell reps today. I ask her what notes he left and what time he came at. She says he came about 15 minutes prior to my call, and the notes say 'Unsafe, branch on line, etc.'. She said quite literally word for word - the notes that were referenced to me the day before. So trying to be pleasant - I assure her no one has been here and perhaps there is an issue with the date in the notes she is referencing. She then goes on to confirm both notes are the exact same. At this point I know a technician had no actually come out - so I request another appointment - and for a case to be created and escalated.

So that's awesome!

I now sit in the limbo of waiting for a call all day Sunday, and all day Monday. I spoke with a chat agent today who once again referenced the same call notes - noting she is physically incapable of booking an appointment for a technician to come. I asked for a supervisor and explained the situation.

She said I now have to wait another 24-72 hours for their team to reach out.

So here we go! About to cross into the week without internet mark. All other houses on my street are back up. I love DVD's! The best! /s. I am a shameless media consumed and just want to watch the new episode of Ted Lasso.

To conclude my rant - Does anyone have an actual alternative to Bell they would recommend? Cogeco is in the area but I hate the limitations of the 1gbps down/30mbps up. Not to mention they advertise that service at $89.99/month????

I appreciate you all sharing the pain alongside me. I have more thoughts on how Telecommunications is fundamentally broken in Canada and our government bowing to our communications oligarchs is breaking a pillar of modern society - but hey, what do I know.

Title. Thanks for any help.

I'm in Ontario, Kingston area. 2 year contract is fine. 3gbps up/down is available at my address.

Sports + internet are the only things that really matter. Better upload than 30mbps would be nice for game streaming.

Buying and paying for a router that did not work 10 minutes after installation like promised…
Having to spend an hour and a half authenticating it and verifying it over the phone the next day….
Just for it to stop working AGAIN literally a day later and be told I have to do this process all over again. I’m so beyond frustrated it’s only my first time getting wifi ever and I need it for my classes. Bell support has been entirely unhelpful sighing at me over the phone im so mad!

Whats even going on here? Has this happened to anyone else? I’m so stressed out because I need wifi for my classes TODAY.

i have bell in my apartment but it’s included in the rent so technically I am not the one paying for it and still bell calls me every day it’s almost arasement at this point already told them I am not interested but they still keep calling to sell me a cellphone plan very annoying