I think there is a surcharge for all calls that come in on the US number in countries where there isn't free roaming if I remember correctly.

I would second your opinion, especially after losing about 40 EUR on my now-defunct UM cards.

Matha531:

You are correct. There is a 19 cent surcharge for incoming calls if associates call me on the U.S. number. But since they are all in the U.S., their call to me on the U.S. number is usually free. So the actual combined charges for their call to me is close to 19 cents in most of Europe. Or maybe 28 cents if they call me and I am in Egypt.

But for me, that's OK. In the past, I have had associates call me on the UK number and it often costs them a lot more than 19 cents if they don't have some discount dialing card or a deal with their long distance carrier.

Jeff-

Sounds like you've pretty well done your homework. The only thing I might add is that the rate your family would pay to call a European mobile number is probably higher than the .17/min. Are you including the Mobile termination fee? For example, though I pay only 8 cents/minute to call the UK from my home landline, the cost to call a UK mobile is 28 cents/minute. That additional mobile termiation fee would be passed on to Verizon who will certainly pass it on to you or your family. ;) Now, if you've already factored that in and know for certain this is the final rate, then you're good to go.

FWIW, I'm another displaced UM user, temporaily using Sim4Travel, and waiting in the mail for my eKit from Telestial.

Kupe

Thanks to all! I just ordered an ekit card vie eBay (better deal than Telestial). My next trip is in August. I'll try to remember to report back on my experience.

I went with Celtrek and and Geodessa.

As a Yank, I'm only interested in the dual IMSI SIM so that I can test it and show people how it works in the US. I'm hoping that these adoptions might bring down Canada, but I don't think so.

I do have some friends with Verizon Storms and Epics who have thought about swapping out the Verizon SIM with these on the theory that it would give them backup coverage on TMObile and ATT, together with cheaper roaming in Europe. Data may prove to be the sticking point on that issue.

CDMA only in the USA?
 

Are they sure that it has GSM 850/1900? I think it is only CDMA 850/1900. I could be very wrong of course. Of course, if I am right then US use of GSM is not going to happen. Are they locked to Verizon [the GSM, that is]?

I believe the Verizon Storm is also a quad band GSM phone. If it's unlocked, it should work. I have a Verizon Z6C World phone that is unlocked. But it only has GSM 900 and 1800, So I cannot even test it in the U.S.

From my understanding all Verizon World (GSM-capable) phones are locked to a Verizon/Vodaphone SIM. At least that's the story with the ones we support at work (Blackberry 8830 and Storm and we have a LOT!).

I have a Verizon Motorola Z6C World phone. It also has a Vodaphone SIM. I had mine unlocked by Verizon. They gave me a code (called a subsidy code) to have it unlocked to use any SIM. I used it in Europe last year with a Telestial/Ekit SIM. I was also told by Verizon that I could get an 8830 unlocked too if I bought one. Check with their Global Support Group.