The CRTC is asking the big three telecoms to outline the “concrete steps” they are taking to address what it found to be unacceptably high international roaming charges and less choice than their peers in other countries.
Over a year ago, the regulator confirmed that it was studying international roaming prices after a letter from the innovation minister asked the CRTC to look into the matter. The letter and the CRTC’s confirmation came in the same month that Bell and Telus raised their U.S. and international roaming rates.
On Monday, the CRTC found both that “Canadians lack choice when roaming” and “roaming rates are high,” and is asking Rogers, Bell, and Telus to file with it by November 4 the steps they are taking to address those concerns.
“In countries like the United States, Australia, and Germany, consumers can select plans tailored to their usage and duration of travel. Similar plans are not widely available from Canadian providers,” it said in a short letter. “This means that Canadians are typically charged the same daily fee when roaming, regardless of how much they use their phones.”
As for high roaming rates: “Canadians often pay roaming rates that far exceed the fees Canadian providers pay foreign carriers to provide Canadians with connectivity,” the CRTC said. “These rates can lead to a one-week trip more than doubling a consumer’s monthly bill.
“The Commission’s priority is to ensure that Canadians have the flexibility to choose an affordable plan that best meets their needs,” it added.
Also on Monday, the CRTC addressed what it said were high domestic roaming rates based on outdated cost studies. The regulator decided it was best to allow the companies to negotiate rates privately — rather than have the regulator determine rates upfront — with the option to go to final offer arbitration option if they can’t agree.
