The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is urging the country’s large telecom companies to “take immediate action to provide affordable roaming options,” after a review found Canadians often end up paying fees that are excessive when travelling.

The CRTC has ordered the companies to provide concrete steps they are taking by Nov. 4, the regulator said on Monday.

The CRTC said it will launch a formal public proceeding if not enough progress is made by the deadline.

“When it comes to international travel, the CRTC has heard that Canadians pay too much in roaming fees,” the agency said.

The CRTC said it conducted a review to examine roaming fees, which it described as “often inflexible” for Canadian travellers.

The agency found that consumers pay a flat fee of $10 to $16 per day regardless of how much they use their cellphone.

It said confidential information from Canadian cellphone companies was analyzed, as well as a number of studies and public information on roaming.

“Canadians need to stay connected when they travel, but often come home to high cellphone bills,” said CRTC chair Vicky Eatrides.

The agency is also requiring cellphone service providers to set new wholesale roaming rates between themselves.

It said that if cellphone providers cannot come to an agreement, the agency will set the rates using final offer arbitration.

“The CRTC expects this will result in lower prices,” it said.

• Email: dpaglinawan@postmedia.com

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