Retail Roaming Revenue to Fall $4 Billion By 2031, as Regulatory Restrictions and Competition Bite

A new study by global tech strategists Juniper Research predicts that global retail roaming revenue will drop from $15.6 billion in 2026 to $11.3 billion in 2031.

Whilst regulations restricting retail roaming costs will affect revenue, the report attributes much of the decline in retail roaming to international travellers adopting travel eSIMs. Lower costs and improved user experiences are attracting international travellers around the world; impacting demand for retail roaming and squeezing retail roaming revenue.

Juniper Research defines retail roaming as ‘Roaming services delivered to an international traveller’s home SIM’. Travel eSIMs are defined as ‘Digital SIMs that provide mobile plans for international trips’.

An extract from the report, Retail Roaming Market, 2026-2031, is available as a free download .

Mobile Network Operators Are Now in Competition for their Own Subscribers

Travel eSIMs are creating an increasingly competitive market environment that mobile network operators must adapt to. The report found that mobile network operators’ competitors are increasingly engaging international travellers before they arrive at the destination; converting customers during the planning process or in the build up to their trip. This trend is being accelerated by travel eSIM partnerships with travel agencies, airlines, and other travel players who can integrate purchasing opportunities into existing travel bookings and transactions.

Nick Maynard, VP of Research said, “To remain competitive, mobile network operators must adopt pre-emptive marketing and promotional strategies that target international travellers during the planning process. Prize-linked incentives and partnerships with online travel agencies can ensure that international travellers keep retail roaming top of mind during the travel planning process; protecting long-term revenue.”

The new research suite offers the most comprehensive assessment of the retail roaming market to date, including insightful market analysis and in-depth forecasts for over 70 countries. The dataset contains over 11,500 market statistics within a five-year period. The report includes detailed evaluation of future market opportunities.