International Roaming: How to Avoid "Mobile Bill Shock" When Travelling
Travelling outside Canada should not come with an unexpected cellular bill. Yet international roaming is now the leading reason Canadians report negative reactions to unexpected mobile charges, often referred to as “bill shock.” According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), international travel accounted for 25% of reported reasons for mobile bill shock in 2025 — up from 12% in 2019. So why does roaming continue to surprise travellers, and what can businesses do to manage international mobile expenses?
Why Does International Roaming Cause Bill Shock?
When you travel abroad, your phone can connect to a foreign network and use mobile data, calls and texts. Even when you are not actively using your phone, apps can continue syncing, checking email, downloading updates or using location services.
For business travellers, these unexpected charges can quickly add up across multiple employees.
Today, businesses have more options than ever, including international roaming plans, travel eSIMs, international eSIMs, local SIM cards and roaming packages from Canadian carriers. The challenge is choosing the right option—and managing it across your entire organization. Depending on the destination and the needs of the traveller, options can include:
An international roaming plan from your Canadian provider
A daily travel roaming package
A dedicated eSIM for travel
An international eSIM purchased for the destination
A local SIM card
Wi-Fi combined with cellular service when necessary
The CRTC notes that Canadian travellers can choose from carrier roaming packages, pay-per-use options, SIM cards and eSIMs when travelling outside Canada.
The challenge is choosing the right option before the trip—and making sure the employee's business phone plan supports it.
How 8760 Helps Businesses Manage Roaming
Roaming should not be something your business deals with only after an employee returns from a trip with an unexpected bill. It should be part of your cellular management strategy from the beginning.
For businesses with employees who travel internationally, having the right international roaming plans and processes in place can make expenses more predictable and reduce unnecessary administrative work.
That's where 8760 Cellular Management Services can help.
We start with a free cellular bill check up to identify potential opportunities to reduce unnecessary spending. 8760 Cellular Experts will review your current cellular services and help align your business phone plans with your actual usage and travel requirements.
Our experts can help businesses manage:
International roaming and travel options
Data usage and plan allowances
Business phone plans
Devices and upgrades
Multiple lines and employees
Ongoing cellular support
With dedicated business phone plans that include features like Easy Roam, you are protected from overpaying. Daily charges automatically protect users when traveling outside of Canada, taking effect upon first usage. If you need to make changes to your plan, just make a quick call to an 8760 Expert without waiting on hold. Your time is valuable to us!
Don't Wait for the Roaming Bill
International travel should be planned before the employee gets on the plane—not after the cellular bill arrives. Whether your business manages a few lines or hundreds, 8760 helps simplify cellular management and bring greater visibility to your connectivity expenses.
Your employees should focus on the business trip—not the phone bill.
Learn more about 8760 Cellular Services: 8760.ca/cellular
Questions? Contact our cellular experts at cellular@8760.ca.
8760 — Making the complex simple.
Source: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Canadian Telecommunications Market Report 2026. Read the full report here: https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/policymonitoring/2026/ctmr.htm
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