How to Set Up Call Forwarding on Bell Business (Canada)
Bell Business is one of the three major Canadian wireless carriers, supporting call forwarding via feature codes from the handset and through the Bell Business portal. Forwarding to an AI-enabled number adds a real-time screening and transcription layer, useful for trades, contractors, and small operators who can't always pick up the phone.
By Graham Thomson · Updated May 13, 2026
The short answer for Bell Business
Bell Business uses GSM-style feature codes on most wireless plans. Configure from the handset or from the Bell Business portal at business.bell.ca.
- **21*[10-digit destination]# — enable unconditional forwarding.
- ##21# — disable unconditional forwarding.
- **61*[10-digit destination]*11*[seconds]# — enable no-answer forwarding.
- **67*[10-digit destination]# — enable busy forwarding.
- ##002# — disable all forwarding on the line.
- *72 + destination — works on some Bell home phone / Bell Fibe TV bundle voice plans as the legacy code.
Step-by-step from the handset
From your Bell Business wireless handset, dial the full GSM code string and press send. The handset will display a confirmation message.
- Dial **21*[10-digit destination]# from your Bell Business handset.
- Press send / call.
- Wait for the on-screen confirmation.
- Test by calling your Bell Business number from another phone.
- To disable, dial ##21# and press send.
Step-by-step from Bell Business portal
The Bell Business portal (business.bell.ca) is the administrator interface for managing wireless and wireline services. Sign in, locate the line, and configure forwarding under feature settings.
- Sign in to business.bell.ca with your administrator credentials.
- Locate the line under Wireless or Voice Services.
- Open Call Forwarding settings.
- Set the mode (Always, Busy, No Answer) and enter the destination number.
What to forward to — an AI-enabled number
A VeraDial line as the destination adds an AI layer in front of the call: the AI answers, identifies itself as an AI assistant for your business, captures the caller's intent, and delivers a transcript and notification within seconds.
- VeraDial number with STIR/SHAKEN A-level attestation on the receiving side.
- AI call screening for emergency vs. routine triage.
- Voicemail transcription on captured messages.
- $9.99/mo per line, 100 monthly credits included, 7-day free trial. Canadian numbers supported.
Bell-specific notes
Bell Business plans vary significantly in how forwarding behaves between wireless and wireline services. Some Bell Fibe voice plans (residential) use the legacy *72 / *73 codes, while Bell Business wireless lines use the GSM **21* codes. If a code doesn't take effect, the Bell Business portal is the most reliable path for configuration.
FAQ
Does Bell Business support STIR/SHAKEN call authentication?
Yes — under CRTC requirements, Bell implements STIR/SHAKEN-equivalent call authentication on Canadian voice traffic. Outbound Bell Business calls are signed for caller-ID verification. Forwarded calls preserve authentication signals where carrier infrastructure supports it. For more on how attestation affects answer rates, see the linked guide on Spam Likely flagging.
Are there extra charges for Bell Business call forwarding?
On most postpaid Bell Business wireless plans, forwarding is included at no per-call charge. The forwarded leg (your Bell number → the destination) counts as an outbound call on your Bell plan for billing; capped minutes plans use those minutes. Bell offers North American calling packages that cover both Canadian and US destinations without long-distance surcharges.
Will the original caller's number show up on the forwarded destination?
In most configurations, yes — when Bell forwards a call to your destination, the destination receives the original caller's number as caller ID. For a VeraDial line on the receiving end, this means the AI can identify who is calling you and capture that in the transcript, even though the call routed through Bell's forwarding.
Can I forward only specific calls (busy, no-answer)?
Yes. Bell Business supports conditional forwarding through both the GSM codes (**61* for no-answer, **67* for busy) and the Bell Business portal. The recommended setup for service businesses is conditional forwarding: your Bell line rings first, and only unanswered calls reach the AI destination. This preserves direct customer contact when you're available.
What if the GSM codes don't work on my Bell line?
Some legacy Bell plans, residential plans bundled with Bell Fibe, and certain prepaid lines don't support the **21* GSM code format. If a code returns an error or doesn't take effect, sign in to business.bell.ca and configure forwarding through the line's feature settings — the portal path works across all Bell plan types regardless of which code format the underlying line supports.
Hear an AI call happen live.
Pick a scenario, verify by SMS, and watch the transcript stream as VeraDial places the call.