Have you received a new Smart Card from Bell?

[hugh]

After the breakdown of various receivers yesterday, a member posted about an apparent card swap (details here )

I had no idea that another card swap was going to happen. It won't be necessary, according to the Bell FAQ's shown below, for the new 9242 and 6141 receivers.

So Have you received a new Card from Bell?

[hugh]

1.Why do I need to replace my SmartCards?

To continue accessing your programming and prepare your receiver for future enhancements, you must replace and activate your new SmartCard(s). If you don't replace your card(s), your receiver will no longer be able to receive the satellite signal.

2.What's the purpose of this card?

All Bell ExpressVu, satellite receivers use SmartCards to help decode the programming information from our satellites.

3.Where is the SmartCard located?

On most receivers, the SmartCard is located at the front, on the left. The card fits into a small slot and, depending on your model, is either exposed or behind a protective panel. Some receiver models don't currently have a SmartCard in the slot. If this case applies to you, you just have to insert the new card in the slot.

4.What happens if I don't replace the card?

It's important to replace and activate the SmartCard in your receiver as soon as possible. Otherwise, your programming will eventually be discontinued and you'll be required to return any unused new SmartCard. Failure to do so will result in a $100 SmartCard charge being applied to your account.

5.How do I perform the SmartCard replacement and activation?

A package containing your new SmartCard(s) and detailed instructions on how to replace and activate them was sent to your billing address. If you need further assistance, please call 1 866 395-9995 to speak to a representative.

6.I misplaced the new card(s) you sent. What should I do now?

Please call 1 866 395-9995 to speak to a representative.

7.How long will it take to replace and activate my new SmartCard(s)? When's the best time to perform the swap to ensure I don't miss my favourite programming?

It will take approximately 15-30 minutes for you to replace your new SmartCard, and then from 15 minutes to 2 hours for your programming to return to normal following reactivation. For more details on activating your new SmartCard, see question #14. Therefore, we recommend that you replace and activate the card at least 3 hours before your favourite show hits the airwaves.

8.What do I do with the old cards?

Once you activate your new SmartCard(s), your old card(s) will expire and no longer work. You should destroy any old cards after you can view your programming with your new cards.

9.Why should I want to replace the cards? How does it benefit me?

This replacement will prepare your receiver for the technological enhancements we're planning in the future. As such, you must replace and activate your new SmartCard(s). This is a necessary step we must take in order for you to continue receiving the same level of quality programming that you have enjoyed with Bell ExpressVu.

10.I replaced and activated my new SmartCard(s), but I can't seem to access my programming. What should I do?

Keep in mind that it will take between 15 minutes and 2 hours for your programming to return to normal after you've activated your new SmartCard(s). If you're experiencing a delay of greater than 2 hours, please go to the activation site, select the receiver with which you're having problems and follow the troubleshooting steps. If you still have issues after completing those steps, call 1 866 395-9995.

11.I have a receiver at my summer cottage and will not be able to replace my SmartCard until next summer. What should I do?

If the receiver at your summer cottage is currently on Temporary Programming Suspension (TPS), you will not receive your new SmartCard(s) in the mail until you reinitiate your service. You'll then be expected to replace your SmartCard(s) as soon as possible.

If your summer cottage account is not on TPS, you'll receive your new SmartCard with no delays. You're expected to replace and activate the SmartCard as soon as you're able to do so.

12.I have a receiver in my basement that I don't use and that isn't on my account. Will I have to replace its SmartCard?

No. Only receivers that are on your account and that are active are subject to the card replacement. However, if you plan on using this receiver in the future, you'll then need to get a new SmartCard.

13.I have a receiver in my garage that is active on my account but that I'm not currently using. Will I need to replace the SmartCard on this receiver?

Yes. All active receivers, whether rented or owned, will be part of the new SmartCard replacement. You'll be sent a new SmartCard for every receiver on your account, whether in use or not, and you'll be required to activate new SmartCards on all receivers.

14.I have installed my new SmartCard. How do I activate it?

Activate it using our online tool.

15.I have heard about the new SmartCard activation, and my friend has received his new SmartCards, but I haven't received mine. Will everyone be a part of this initiative?

Whether you've opted to rent or purchase your receiver, you'll eventually need to replace your SmartCard. In fact, all our customers will be expected to do so and to activate all their new SmartCards. The exceptions are the new 9242 HD PVR Plus receivers and 6141 HD receivers, which will not require a card replacement. The distribution of new cards is now in progress. Since this process will take several months, it's possible that you may not have received your replacement yet. You don't need to contact our customer service department nor to visit a Bell store. Your new SmartCard and all related information will be mailed to you at the address provided for your account.

[tdti1]

Interesting, I wonder what encryption they will be using? hope whatever it is they can stop the piracy.

[Nimiq USA]

I believe their using the Nagravision 3 protocol. Let's hope it's gonna last for good! I do have doubts about their success.

[tdti1]

Oh oh, well I hope it lasts more than a month this time....

[habskilla]

Are there any receivers that don't have a card slot?

[beatbox99]

I have 3 receivers and remember going through this before. My 5900 and 3100 are working fine, but my 4700 stopped working sometime overnight. I checked the system info screen on my 4700 and sure enough it's highlighted in green "New Card Ready". The last time they did the card swap thing the same thing happened to me....Sure enough a couple of days later I received the new card in the mail and all was well again.

Having been through this before, I called 888-SKYDISH and much to my dismay, found I was talking to someone in India who could barely speak english...She has obviously been told not to deviate from her script (unplug the receiver, disconnect the cable, pull the card, plug it back in, reconnect the cable, reinsert the card..., mixed of course with do you realize that you're not getting new channels because you're on a very old package and we're charging you an extra receiver fee, plus a system access fee that you wouldn't have to pay if you upgraded to one of our new packages.....of course I'm freakin' aware of this, but even with all the extra fees, I'm still paying less and get more channels than the cheapest of your 'new' packages...) despite almost having to yell at her that I've done all that, been through this before and would you please just reauthorize my freakin' card until the new one arrives.....Please hold sir, I need to talk to a senior technician.......15 minutes later......I spoke with our senior technician and he says reauthorizing your card won't work, you need to buy a new receiver.

Are you Freakin' kidding me?????? Over half an hour on the phone and they tell me I need to buy a new receiver?????

I'll be calling the business office tomorrow (conveniently they're only open business hours 'cause of course most of us only ever watch TV during business hours...) and demanding yet another 'no-service' credit....

Anybody know the status of the collusion lawsuit against Bell, Rogers & Telus???

[i hate tv]

Hopefully you won't have to buy a new receiver...
It can be frustrating dealing with overseas CSR's
Good luck

[barter]

Log onto your account on bell's website and try resyncing your programning.

[dsspredator]

I activated my 4 IRDs today at bell.ca/smartcard.

My one 6100 has a card for the first time.

Each IRD took between 5 to 10 minutes to aquire programming.

Very easy process.

[Ex Agent EV]

Still haven't received anything here... A 5900 and a 3100

[beatbox99]

I tried going to the bell.ca/smartcard page and it shows me all 3 receivers with the existing card numbers, but the option to activate the new cards is greyed out for all 3 receivers...

[beatbox99]

I logged into my account on Bell's site, and it took me a while, but I found the option to resynch programming....Still nothing on my 4700. 5100 and 3100 are still working fine, no new cards for any of them yet...

[DrewSat]

Hi beatbox99,
I'm sorry to hear about your troubles.
No updates were released to the 4700 yet. The New Card Ready status was added in 2004/2005 when a software release went out to support the 2005 swap.
PM me if you still require some help, I'll try to assist in anyway possible.
Drewsat

[Boavista]

I should be getting this months bill tomorrow or day after so i assume the card would arrive at the same time or sometime shortly after.