Canada’s telecoms regulator wants to end the reality of alarming phone bills after a weekend trip to the States.
Driving the news: The CRTC has ordered Bell, Rogers, and Telus to work together to launch a plan for lowering international cellular roaming fees by November 4. If the telcos fail, the CRTC will launch a formal proceeding that could result in arbitration to lower prices.
Why it matters: Roaming fees have dwindled globally. U.S. providers offer $10-a-day plans, and the EU doesn’t have any charges for citizens travelling in EU countries. Meanwhile, in Canada, plans cost $13 to $16 a day, including the increases by Bell and Telus last year.
- This is made even more dubious by the fact that Canada signed on to a pledge vowing to eliminate roaming charges across the Americas by… uhhh, 2022.
Zoom out: It could be in the best interest of these telecom giants to nix roaming fees, as frustrated consumers ignore travel packages and turn to eSIM providers. The eSIM market is surging, with startups like Airalo and Nomad securing multimillion-dollar raises last year.
Bottom line: As you wait for the hammer to come down on roaming fees, give your provider a call. Telecoms consultant Mark Goldberg told Peak Money back in August that fees can often be negotiated, and that if you haven’t done so “you’re paying too much.”—QH
