CRTC Acts to Lower Roaming Fees for Canadians Traveling Abroad

On October 7, 2024, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced measures aimed at reducing high roaming fees for Canadians traveling both internationally and domestically. The CRTC's review revealed that Canadians often face inflexible roaming charges, typically ranging from $10 to $16 per day, regardless of their actual usage. To address these concerns, the CRTC has mandated that cellphone companies report back by November 4, 2024, detailing their plans to offer more affordable options. If progress is insufficient, the CRTC may initiate a formal public proceeding. Additionally, the CRTC is focusing on domestic wholesale roaming rates, which are crucial for determining the pricing of cellphone plans. Many of these rates are outdated and do not reflect current market conditions. The CRTC has indicated that if cellphone providers cannot reach an agreement on these rates, it will resort to final offer arbitration to establish fair pricing. This initiative is part of the CRTC's broader commitment to ensuring that Canadians can stay connected without incurring exorbitant costs. Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and CEO of the CRTC, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to prevent Canadians from returning home to unexpectedly high cellphone bills. The CRTC's actions reflect its role as an independent regulatory body dedicated to the public interest in the Canadian communications sector. Overall, the CRTC's proactive stance aims to enhance the affordability and flexibility of cellphone services for Canadians, particularly during travel, thereby fostering a more competitive telecommunications market.