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Canadian Telecoms Report Sustained Decline in U.S. Roaming Revenue

Canada's Big Three telecom providers cite reduced U.S. travel linked to trade tensions as a key factor in falling roaming income, with impacts expected to persist through summer.

Canada's Big Three telecommunications carriers say they are taking in less revenue from roaming so far this year as fewer Canadians travel to the U.S. amid the ongoing trade war. A person uses a cell phone in Ottawa, Monday, July 18, 2022.

Overview

  • Bell Canada reported a 10% drop in international roaming revenue for Q1, with the trend likely to continue throughout 2025.
  • Telus experienced a significant decline in roaming revenue, particularly over March break, and anticipates ongoing challenges tied to strained Canada-U.S. relations.
  • Rogers attributed 15% of its recent decline in average revenue per user to reduced roaming, with similar impacts expected in Q2.
  • Statistics Canada data shows Canadian returns from the U.S. by car dropped 35% year-over-year in April, with air returns down nearly 20%.
  • Telecom executives note limited broader domestic impacts from U.S. tariffs but remain cautious about potential economic ripple effects.