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Originally Posted by Przemolog
Once again, UM/09/Callkey incarnations and whatever you want can't push "regular" roaming services out of business because of several reasons:
1) Expensive starter packs
2) Handset compatibility issues
3) Due to sophisticated callback techniques used, limited access to SIM/phone number lists
4) Being available on a foreign (to most potential callers) number (or at least "semi-foreign" in case of UK->IoM calls)
The disadvantages below are valid for some SIMs only
5) Possible problems with topping up when out of credit - not each of them allows to charge a credit directly from the phone
6) No caller ID
7) No data transfer
 No voicemail
I'm almost sure that I forgot something but I feel justified - it's late here 
Half OT. I can tell you a few words about reactions on releasing Riiing on the Polish GSM
newsgroups (I recall that Poland is a poor CPP country where roaming rates offered from local operators, especially for incoming calls are considered much too high). Of course there were many enthusiasts who were happy for CPP in roaming. But some opinions were like those: "calling to Liechtenstein is so expensive so who will call me at all?" or "the SIM is too expensive - no real savings" |
You make valid points for resistance. I grant you calling out is not as convenient as with your local/national phone. How much are you [I write YOU but I mean someone from Poland or Austria or France or whatever European country] willing to pay for the convenience of using your local/national phone in a semi-un-united Europe, at least in terms of mobile cell phones? PERSONALLY, I am not willing to pay T-MO US $2.00 per minute to send and receive calls while in Europe on my handset with their SIM card.
But I guess it depends on your expectations. If you rely heavily on the cell phone for your daily routine, then those points you mentioned are indeed potent obstacles. Habits are hard to change. If you are expecting to pay local rates while roaming, then I guess you are going to be disappointed.
PERSONALLY, when I travel my primary concern is REACHING OTHERS back home and REACHING MY FAMILY with me. True, those may not be the concerns of the normal European user. Using CBW and Riiing, I can call the US from my cell for $0.14 per minute if needed -- not bad, I would say. Outbound rates to Germany directly or with CBW are reasonable, although not fantastic. My family can reach me by SMS or I can signal me to call them if I get caller ID -- let phone ring once and hang up -- should show up in missed call list. The CBW rate for Liechtenstein to a Polish mobile is $0.347 US -- landline is less ~ $0.23. The rate for Liechtenstein to a German mobile is $0.40 US. Considering that my daytime D1 XtraOne national rate to a non-D1 mobile is .79 e-cents (~$1.00 per minute), over time there should be savings to be reaped.
I also recommend a good calling card for or from the destination country to be used in preference to the cell phone. The cell phone phonebook can be still be used to keep those numbers.
Regarding the high initial cost of the packet, I would suggest buyers take a longer term view. IF the user travels out of the country every year on vacation and to different destinations, then surely the investment will pay off in a few years, no? Compare to buy starter packs in various destinations and sell, swap or dispose.
How much does an international SMS cost? Can't friends from home send and SMS if they need to reach you? Then YOU can call them back --- obviously at your expense, but at least they can reach you. Or, carry a second phone along with the national mobile. They can send the SMS to your national phone and you call them back however, landline with calling card or with your international mobile. Yes, pain in the rump to carry 2 phones. I have a family of 4 adults. We'll be taking 5 phones, one for each + a backup.
At least with the UM card, NONE of my phones has experienced compatibility issues -- Nokia 6610, various MOTOs (P-280, V66, V300, V330, V18
and even a Treo 270 and Treo 600. TRUE, your mileage may vary.
Stan