Telecom operators adapt strategies as roaming revenue faces projected decline

The international roaming market is undergoing significant shifts as telecommunications operators face increasing competition from travel eSIM providers. Juniper Research projects that global retail roaming revenue will reach $15.6 billion in 2026, but is expected to decline by approximately 27.6 percent to $11.3 billion by 2031 due to regulatory restrictions and the rise of alternative connectivity solutions.

To combat these trends, companies are adopting diverse commercial strategies. Bharti Airtel has begun bundling international roaming into its postpaid plans, including specific data allowances. Similarly, Tata Communications has partnered with Air India to launch EasyRoam, a service designed to provide international mobile connectivity across 30 countries. Other major operators like Verizon, AT&T, Orange, and Vodafone are also adjusting their pricing and product offerings to capture travel spending and maintain customer relationships in a changing landscape.