Canada’s telecoms say roaming revenue is down as U.S. travel drops

Rogers, Bell and Telus say they've experienced a decline in revenue from international roaming costs, with the latter's CEO suggesting it is likely to continue amid tensions.

Canada’s Big Three telecommunications carriers say they are taking in less revenue from international roaming so far this year as fewer Canadians travel to the U.S. amid the ongoing trade war.

But the companies say for the most part they haven’t yet borne the brunt of the economic impacts associated with U.S. tariffs, such as a pullback in consumer spending at home.

Speaking Wednesday at a telecom and media conference hosted by TD Securities, Bell Canada chief executive Mirko Bibic said the company’s international roaming revenue was down about 10 per cent in the first quarter.

He said that pace would “probably” continue throughout the year, in response to a question from TD analyst Vince Valentini.

“March in particular was hit, so it certainly hasn’t grown and people are not travelling as much in particular to the U.S.,” said Bibic.

“But we’ll see in the summer.”

He said international roaming represents around four per cent of BCE Inc.’s mobile phone average revenue per user — a key metric reported by telecom companies in their quarterly earnings.

Statistics Canada has said Canadian visits to the U.S. have been decreasing in recent months. That has come amid anger over tariffs and annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, along with growing fears about treatment at the border.