Schedule Freeze bypassed using Private/Randomized MAC Address on Bell Giga Hub

[Schedule Freeze bypassed]

I am having an issue with Parental Controls / Internet Freeze Scheduling on the Bell Wi-Fi app with my Giga Hub modem. When a scheduled internet freeze triggers for specific Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, or Mac), it cuts the connection as expected. However, the user is able to bypass this freeze simply by toggling Wi-Fi off and back on (or restarting the device). This generates a new Private Wi-Fi Address (Randomized MAC / new IP).

The Giga Hub then recognizes the device as a brand-new connection and grants full internet access, completely bypassing the active schedule.
How can I enforce the Internet Freeze schedule based on User Profiles or Passwords rather than the MAC address, or effectively block new randomized MAC addresses from bypassing parental controls?

[Vanadiel]

I don't think such an option exists in the Giga hub. You would need a Radius server with either WPA2 enterprise or WPA3 enterprise.

A captive portal would be another possibility, but I do not believe that is available either.

[BellPatricia · Accepted solution]

Hey there @Schedule Freeze bypassed  

Welcome to the Bell community, and thanks for your post 🙂

What you are experiencing is definitely related to Apple's Randomized MAC Address (Private Wi‑Fi Address) feature.
The Bell Internet Freeze feature works by identifying and blocking a device based on it's MAC address. Apple devices can be set to use a Private Wi‑Fi Address, which changes that network ID for privacy reasons. If the device reconnects and presents a different ID, your modem will see it as a completely new device rather than the one that was previously frozen.

While there isn't currently a way to enforce the Internet Freeze based on a person's profile/password rather than the MAC address, you could try disabling the Private Wi-Fi address in the Wi-Fi settings on the affected Apple device. 

You can also check out this thread Bell Wi-Fi App - Blocking Apple devices with randomized MAC Addresses. , and don't hesitate to join the conversation if you have any other questions.

@BellPatricia