Canada’s leading telecommunications providers—Bell, Rogers, and Telus—are pledging to offer more flexible and affordable international roaming options starting in 2025. This move follows increased scrutiny from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), which demanded that these companies take steps to address consumer concerns over high roaming fees or face potential regulatory action.
Bell Canada has announced plans to introduce new roaming features tailored to customer usage and travel duration, which they say will help reduce fees. Bell’s assistant general counsel Philippe Gauvin stated that these new options will offer greater flexibility for Canadian travelers in a competitive market. Specifics of Bell’s planned options remain redacted, but Gauvin noted that these measures should satisfy CRTC concerns.
Rogers Communications and Telus Corp. also indicated they would provide new roaming plans in 2025, though the details were similarly withheld in their public submissions. Currently, Rogers charges $12 daily for U.S. roaming and $15 for international roaming, while Telus increased its U.S. daily roaming rate to $14 and other international destinations to $16.
A previous CRTC review highlighted that while Canadian roaming rates are competitive for short-term use, they become some of the highest globally for longer durations. The commission’s report pointed out the inflexibility of current roaming plans, especially compared to international offerings that provide a mix of services over various time frames.
Telus has disputed these findings, labeling the CRTC-commissioned report as flawed and emphasizing its own recent initiatives. Over the past 18 months, Telus has introduced monthly international plans and travel passes at reduced rates, enabling more flexible usage. The company warned, however, that if the CRTC imposes regulations on roaming rates, it may have to offset costs by increasing prices for other services.
Rogers’ vice-president of regulatory telecom Howard Slawner defended existing bundled roaming plans, which have become more popular since 2018, helping to decrease roaming costs for consumers. The company argued that these plans were not adequately highlighted in the CRTC’s study but are significant in the broader context of pricing trends.
Doug French, Telus’ chief financial officer, pointed out that overall telecom prices in Canada have seen notable reductions in recent years. He stressed that ongoing declines in prices should be considered when evaluating the need for regulatory measures.
As the debate continues, the Big 3 telecoms have committed to refining their roaming options to meet consumer needs and demonstrate progress to the CRTC.
