[MATHA531]

I believe, and the many Europeans here can correct me if I'm wrong, the ultimate purpose of all this is to turn the eu into something akin to the USA with the various countries playing the role the various state do in the USA. It seems to be Redding's plan to eventually have no roaming charges throughout and within the eu.

If that comes to pass, it will certainly pretty much be the death of most of the international cards as Europeans would simply not need them. What would be the market? Americans? And basically if an American were travelling to Europe, all he or she would need is the cheapest PAYG card available. As the majority of my travelling is to Europe, I am beginning to question whether I really need to keep buying recharge vouchers to keep the sim cards I acquired earlier from France, Holland, Germany, Italy and Ireland. The Dutch one began to have a very limited shelf life, they have just deactivfated my German one, I'll be doing a three week tour of France and have been assiduosly acquired 10¢ top ups to keep that card alive, my Italy card is scheduled to expire in June. Perhaps with the current tariff situation I can make do with a free O2-UK card and as it stands now, use their european roaming tariffs (the key one is receiving at 18p/minute) calling back to the USA is expensive outside the UK of course but maybe a local ld card with a local number with resolve that issue at what is the rate for calls within Europe, 35p (especially since the UK£ has plunged to just about $1.45 US)....and of course if Redding has her way, reception will eventually be free and something like 15p/minute.

Now if only carriers such as T Mobile USA and AT&T would see the light and give even moderately fair rates on international roaming.