Canada to Tackle Rising Data Roaming Charges

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is pushing for more affordable international roaming options from Canada’s largest telecom providers — Rogers, Bell, and Telus.

According to a report by the Canadian Press, the CRTC has given the three telecom giants until November 4th to outline “concrete steps” they are taking to address the concerns over increasing roaming charges. If the CRTC deems their efforts insufficient, it plans to launch a formal public investigation into the matter.

Current Roaming Options and Rates

Presently, the Big Three offer similar roaming plans, which involve daily rates for both U.S. and international travel. While these plans come with daily caps, customers still face high costs even for minimal usage abroad.

• Bell: U.S. $13/day, International $16/day, capped at 20 days per billing cycle.
• Rogers: U.S. $12/day, International $15/day, capped at 20 days per billing cycle.
• Telus: U.S. $14/day, International $16/day, capped at 25 days per billing cycle.

While roaming charges stop after the cap is reached in a billing cycle, the cap resets with each new cycle. This means users could be charged for a full day even if they only send a few texts or make a short call while abroad.

The same high rates apply to the flanker brands associated with the Big Three, such as Fido, Virgin Plus, and Koodo, with similar daily costs.

The Rising Costs of Roaming

Over the years, the cost of roaming has steadily increased. For instance, back in 2017, Rogers charged only $6 per day for U.S. roaming and $10 for international roaming. Today, those rates have more than doubled for some providers, spurring Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne to urge the CRTC to take action.

For example, a Telus customer could face up to $400 in roaming charges for 25 days of international travel, not including their regular plan or device fees. This increasing cost has caused frustration among Canadian travelers who are seeking more affordable solutions.

CRTC Calls for Flexibility and Affordability

The CRTC has emphasized the need for more flexible roaming options. It aims to push providers to offer plans that allow customers to pay only for the services they use, rather than incurring a full-day charge for minimal usage.

Additionally, the CRTC is addressing domestic wholesale roaming rates, which impact wireless providers when their customers travel outside their coverage areas. These rates have not been updated for years, and the commission is urging providers to renegotiate fairer terms. If an agreement cannot be reached, the CRTC will set new rates through arbitration.

The commission’s goal is to ensure more affordable and accessible mobile services for Canadian consumers, both domestically and internationally, as part of a broader effort to enhance wireless competition and lower costs.