[benguild]

Finally. Pre-iPhone, I was always able to use my GPRS/3G phones in various countries for free using data roaming. It would just use my normal (unlimited) megabytes. I could even tether unofficially.

Then the iPhone came out, and an “unlimited international data” plan was an additional $60/month, I believe. Basically doubling the monthly cost, and that didn’t have tethering.

THEN, they got rid of that altogether, and ever since it’s been a scramble in every country to buy a SIM card just to pay local rates and not get ripped off. It’s all the same internet… if you’re not at home and roaming agreements exist, the carriers should just be forced to pay each other fair rates.

[wrboyce]

Maybe it was different in the states, but this legislation applies to the EU and I can definitely remember paying ridiculous roaming charges in Europe pre-iPhone (on my Nokia E71!).

[sambe]

Several places/providers in Europe have allowed or do allow you to use your normal data plan for free whilst abroad. I got mine a couple of years ago, without even looking for that particular benefit.

[Oletros]

Roaming never has been free in Europe. I think you're a little confused

[JohnDoe365]

The downside is that a majority will have to pay higher overall fees for the benefit of a minority (those travelling regularly aboard)

Rather unfair.

[solomatov]

>The downside is that a majority will have to pay higher overall fees for the benefit of a minority (those travelling regularly aboard)

I am 99% sure that for most of the phone companies a call in a home country and outside of it costs the same. Especially, for companies with subsidiaries all over the world such as vodafone and tmobile

[benguild]

Scaled across millions of people the difference will be next to nothing. They're inflating the prices exponentially because "everyone else is doing it".

[aikah]

Making SMS "free" didn't make plan prices go up.