For decades, Canadian telecom companies have quietly profited from a dependable stream of roaming revenue as millions of Canadians headed across the border each year. But with rising tariffs and shifting political tensions, that flow is starting to dry up—and it’s hitting telecoms where it hurts. Canada U.S. roaming

Canada’s largest mobile operators—Rogers, Bell and Telus—are reporting a noticeable decline in roaming revenue, a by‑product of Canadians’ growing reluctance to travel to the United States amid the ongoing tariff dispute between Ottawa and Washington.

Roaming Revenues Under Pressure

In its most recent quarterly results, Rogers Communications disclosed that roughly 15 percent of the year-over-year decrease in its average revenue per user (ARPU) was directly attributable to reduced roaming usage by Canadian customers south of the border. That’s millions of dollars in lost roaming fees—from text, data, and calling—attributed purely to fewer customers venturing into the U.S. for business or leisure.

Bell and Telus have made similar comments, noting that roaming traffic volumes have contracted noticeably compared with previous quarters. While carriers have sought to diversify income by boosting data-plan uptake, streaming partnerships, and fixed-wireless services, they can’t fully offset the gap left by cross-border reductions.

A Broader Boycott of U.S. Travel

This drop in telecom roaming aligns with a widespread pullback in Canadian travel to the United States in early 2025, driven by both political and economic factors. According to a recent compilation of multiple industry and survey reports:

• Bookings for leisure flights to the U.S. were down by as much as 71–76 percent in March 2025 compared to March 2024, prompting airlines to cut some 320,000 seats on Canada‑U.S. routes for the upcoming summer season.
• While actual border crossings by Canadians fell by about 3.5 percent overall, land crossings dropped far more sharply—approximately 23 per percent year‑over‑year—highlighting that many who would normally drive to U.S. destinations simply stayed home or chose other options abroad.

Surveys suggest nearly half of Canadians with planned U.S. trips have canceled or delayed those plans, translating into an estimated $3 billion CAD economic hit for the U.S. tourism sector alone.

Ripples Beyond Roaming

The contraction in cross‑border travel hasn’t just hurt telecom companies’ roaming lines—it’s also dealt a blow to:

• Duty‑free retailers at border crossings, some reporting sales declines of 40–50 percent in early 2025. One Surrey, B.C., duty‑free owner said business was down over 80 percent, forcing severe staff cuts.
• Travel agencies specializing in U.S. packages; one Toronto-area operator saw U.S. tour bookings plunge by 30 percent, even as bookings for Mexico and Europe climbed.

Carriers’ Responses and Next Steps

Faced with this headwind, Rogers, Bell and Telus are accelerating several initiatives:

1. Enhanced domestic roaming and data plans. They’re promoting unlimited Canadian data add‑ons and zero‑rating certain streaming services to keep customers engaged at home.
2. Partnered offers for alternative destinations. Bundles that include discounted travel‑SIMs or eSIM profiles for Mexico and Europe, where Canadians are increasingly redirecting their holiday spend.
3. Investment in 5G and fixed wireless. Building out 5G networks and home‑internet substitutes to bolster overall data revenue.

Executives emphasize that while the U.S. market has historically been a reliable roaming revenue source, they anticipated that an environment of political tension, tariffs and an unfavourable exchange rate would eventually curb cross-border usage. By diversifying their service portfolios domestically and abroad, they aim to mitigate the impact of any future travel downturns. Canada U.S. roaming

What This Means for Consumers

• For frequent travelers: If you still cross into the U.S., it’s worth shopping around for short-term travel passes or eSIM plans—some MVNOs and digital‑only carriers are offering more competitive roaming rates than the Big Three’s traditional add‑ons.
• For stay‑cations: Carriers’ new “Canada‑only” data plans may provide more value if you’ve shelved U.S. trips. Keep an eye out for promotional bundles that pair unlimited Canadian data with perks like music-streaming subscriptions.
• For alternative destinations: As more Canadians explore Mexico, Europe or domestic locales, look for travel‑SIMs or data‑only eSIM offers tailored to those regions—many providers now offer affordable regional passes that bypass pricey North American roaming fees altogether.

Bottom line about Canada U.S. roaming

A confluence of tariffs, currency weakness, and political unease has led Canadians to cut back sharply on U.S. travel—a shift that shows up directly on your phone bill. Canada’s carriers are responding with new product bundles and partnerships, but for consumers who still venture south, shopping the market for specialized travel plans will be key to avoiding hefty roaming charges.