Bell says it is rolling out Extended Coverage for Bell and Virgin Plus customers this week, with Priority Network Access set to follow for eligible Bell plans by the end of the week.
The carrier emailed iPhone in Canada on Monday to outline the changes, which target two familiar frustrations: losing service on the road and struggling to use data in a crowd.
The announcement comes as the CRTC pushes for more accurate cellphone coverage maps. Priority access is also becoming another way carriers distinguish their pricier plans, as seen in our November cellphone plan comparison.
Extended Coverage is intended to fill gaps in rural areas, on highways and along routes between major cities. Bell says phones will connect automatically and display Bell-EXT or Virgin-EXT, without customers needing to buy an add-on or change settings.
There are no additional roaming fees, but this does not mean an extra bucket of data. According to Bell’s FAQ, postpaid customers can use calling, texting and data within their existing plan allowances. Extended Coverage is meant for occasional use, with most usage remaining on Bell’s network.
There’s a caveat, as an active call will drop when the phone switches to Bell-EXT, so you will need to call again once connected. Customers still using 3G devices will need to upgrade. Check Bell’s coverage map for the areas covered rather than assuming every dead zone is included.
Priority Network Access is planned for eligible Bell premium rate plans. Bell says it works automatically at the network level and is designed to improve data performance when demand is high, including at stadiums, festivals, transit hubs and busy downtown locations.
The company says customers could see smoother streaming and video calls, along with faster browsing, during congestion. Bell announced this feature for Bell customers, not Virgin Plus.
Would wider coverage or better performance in crowded places make a bigger difference to you?
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